Skip to main content

View related sites

  • Recognition
  • Agents
  • Consultancy
  • Research
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Change Language

Cambridge Assessment English

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Why choose us?

    Why choose us?

    • Learners

    • Who accepts our exams?
    • Visas and immigration
    • Study abroad
    • Cambridge English journeys
    • Organisations

    • Start accepting our exams
    • Working with us
    • Producing exams
  • Exams and tests

    Exams and tests

    • Cambridge English Qualifications Cambridge English Qualifications
    • Schools
    • General and higher education
    • Business
    • Pre A1 Starters (YLE Starters)
    • A1 Movers (YLE Movers)
    • A2 Flyers (YLE Flyers)
    • A2 Key for Schools (KET)
    • B1 Preliminary for Schools (PET)
    • B2 First for Schools (FCE)
    • A2 Key (KET)
    • B1 Preliminary (PET)
    • B2 First (FCE)
    • C1 Advanced (CAE)
    • C2 Proficiency (CPE)
    • B1 Business Preliminary (BEC Preliminary)
    • B2 Business Vantage (BEC Vantage)
    • C1 Business Higher (BEC Higher)
    • Linguaskill Linguaskill
    • IELTS IELTS
    • OET OET
    • Useful links

    • Test your English
    • Cambridge English Placement Test
    • How to register
    • Find an exam centre
    • What to expect on exam day
    • Study English in the UK
    • See exam results online
    • Cambridge English Scale
    • International language standards explained
    • Information for preparation centres
  • Learning English

    Learning English

    • Free activities
    • Exam preparation
    • Test your English
    • Parents and children
    • Games and social media
    • More resources
  • Teaching English

    Teaching English

    • Qualifications for individuals
    • CELTA
    • DELTA
    • TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test)
    • Qualifications for schools and ministries
    • CELT-P
    • CELT-S
    • Language for Teaching
    • Certificate in EMI Skills
    • Train the Trainer
    • Professional development
    • Cambridge English Teaching Framework
    • Cambridge English Trainer Framework
    • Become a Cambridge English Assessment Specialist
    • Your new English classroom
    • Resources for teachers
    • Webinars for teachers
    • Information for preparation centres
  • Blog
  • News
  • Events
  • Help

    Help

    • Lost certificates
    • Enquiries and appeals
    • Special requirements
    • Special considerations
    • Malpractice
    • Complaints
    • Corporate social responsibility
  • Test your English
  • Find an exam centre
  • Who accepts our exams?

You are here:

  1. Cambridge English
  2. Exams and tests
  3. Pre A1 Starters

Pre A1 Starters

  • Exams and tests
    • Pre A1 Starters
      • Test format
      • Preparation
      • Test dates
      • Results

Our exam names have changed


We've changed the names of our exams to make it easier to understand how to progress from one qualification to the next.

Read about our new exam names

Newsletter for parents

Free activities for children gif - image

Sing and Learn

Sing and Learn

Help children learn, remember and use new language.

Watch Sing and Learn

Related Links

  • Official Cambridge English preparation materials
  • Teaching support
  • Support and advice for parents
  • Activities for children
  • Play games

Pre A1 Starters, formerly known as Cambridge English: Starters (YLE Starters), is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications. It is the start of a child’s language learning journey.

Find a centre

Pre A1 Starters is the first of three Cambridge English Qualifications designed for young learners. These tests introduce children to everyday written and spoken English and are an excellent way for them to gain confidence and improve their English.

The tests are written around familiar topics and focus on the skills needed to communicate effectively in English through listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Information for candidates and parents

Download the Pre A1 Starters FAQs

Key facts

CEFR level: Pre-level A1 What's this?
Test format: Paper-based
No. of papers: 3
Test length: About 45 minutes



 A teacher reading to three kids in English Pre A1 Starters can help your child take their first step towards:

  • understanding basic English content on the internet
  • enjoying books, songs, television and films in English
  • making friends globally.

 A boy holding his Cambridge English: starters certificate Reasons to choose Pre A1 Starters

  • There’s no pass or fail – every child gets a Cambridge English certificate which celebrates their achievements.
  • The test uses realistic everyday situations to bring learning to life.
  • The test covers all major varieties of English (e.g. British English, American English).
  • We have a huge range of free and paid-for support.

We were so proud to receive the prestigious Cambridge English certificates.

Germaine Teh Jhee Wei
Cambridge English Qualifications Schools candidate, Thailand


Find your local centre to book your child's test

Find a centre

On this site

  • Home
  • Why Cambridge English?
  • Exams and tests
  • Learning English
  • Teaching English
  • News
  • Events
  • Help
  • About us
  • Who accepts our exams?
  • Agents
  • Consultancy
  • Research
  • Contact us
  • ALTE logo
  • English Profile logo
  • Cambridge University Press
  • Cambridge Assessment logo
  • BSI Logo

View Related Sites

  • Cambridge English main site
  • Cambridge English helpdesk
  • Cambridge English Penfriends
  • Cambridge English Schools
  • Cambridge English Online
  • Cambridge English for Centres
  • Preparation Centres Online
  • Results Verification Service
  • Occupational English Test
  • Cambridge University Press
  • ALTE
  • English Profile
  • Cambridge Assessment
  • Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing
  • Michigan Language Assessment
  • Cambridge Assessment Japan Foundation


Copyright ©  UCLES

  • Terms & conditions
  • Data protection
  • Accessibility statement
  • Statement on modern slavery
  • Safeguarding policy
  • Sitemap
Back to top
We use cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving your consent for us to set cookies Dismiss