Cambridge English qualification

Cambridge Pre A1 Starters

The first Cambridge English milestone for young learners. It checks whether a child can understand and use very simple English through pictures, short stories, colouring, spelling and a friendly one-to-one Speaking test.

Explore format and tasks Official Cambridge overview ↗

Exam format

Format and part-by-part tasks

Paper-based: three components and about 45 minutes in total. A separate digital version uses different on-screen tasks and longer maximum timings, so families must prepare for the version actually booked.

Listening

Children hear every recording twice and respond through pictures, names, numbers and colours.

About 20 minutes · 4 parts · 20 questions

Task map

  1. Part 1: match five names to people in a large scene.
  2. Part 2: listen for names or numbers and write five short answers.
  3. Part 3: choose the correct picture for each of five conversations.
  4. Part 4: follow descriptions and colour five objects in a picture.

Reading and Writing

The paper moves from word recognition and spelling to short factual text and a three-picture story.

20 minutes · 5 parts · 25 questions

Task map

  1. Part 1: decide whether five picture-and-sentence pairs are correct.
  2. Part 2: read five statements about a large picture and answer yes or no.
  3. Part 3: unscramble letters to spell five pictured words.
  4. Part 4: choose and copy five nouns into gaps in a short text.
  5. Part 5: answer five one-word questions about a three-picture story.

Speaking

The examiner checks instruction-following, naming, simple description and personal answers.

3–5 minutes · 4 parts · one child with one examiner

Task map

  1. Part 1: point to objects, then place object cards in a scene as instructed.
  2. Part 2: answer questions and describe an object in the large picture.
  3. Part 3: answer questions about small object pictures.
  4. Part 4: answer very simple questions about age, family or friends.

Results and scoring

How the result is reported

Young learner qualifications do not use pass or fail. The certificate shows one to five shields separately for Listening, Reading and Writing, and Speaking; the Statement of Results also identifies strengths and areas to develop.

Candidate experience

What happens on the day and afterwards

There is no pass or fail: every child receives a certificate and Statement of Results.
Each component awards one to five shields; four or five shields in each skill indicates readiness to prepare for the next qualification.
Speaking is taken alone with the examiner after a familiar adult introduces the child and explains the procedure in the child’s language.
Paper and digital versions are not visually identical; confirm the booked version with the centre.

Preparation guidance

Prepare for the tasks candidates actually complete

  1. 1Learn the official Pre A1 wordlist through pictures and real objects, not isolated translation lists.
  2. 2Practise spelling names, numbers, colours and high-frequency nouns exactly.
  3. 3Rehearse the real actions: pointing, placing cards, colouring and giving one-word written answers.
  4. 4Use an official sample paper and Speaking video so the child knows the sequence without memorising answers.

Official resources

Format, samples, preparation and results

Understand the qualification

Cambridge’s current qualification overview and part-by-part format.

Official preparation material

Sample tests, audio, Speaking videos, wordlists and teacher/candidate support.

Results and delivery

How results work, expected release windows, and paper/digital delivery.

Format and results information checked 12 August 2026 against current official Cambridge English pages. Confirm dates, local format availability, identification and access arrangements with an authorised centre. EduZMS is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official partner of Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

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