![Cambridge Starters, Movers and Flyers: What's the Difference? A Parent's Guide [2026]](/assets/blog/og-starters-movers-flyers.png)
When starting the Cambridge YLE journey with your child, a common question is: should we start with Starters or Movers? Does my child need to take all three levels? This article provides a detailed comparison of Cambridge Starters, Movers and Flyers to help you, in consultation with your child's teacher or English centre, make the most informed decision.
| Starters | Movers | Flyers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEFR Level | Pre-A1 | A1 | A2 |
| Typical Age | 5–8 | 7–10 | 9–12 |
| Skills Tested | Listening, Reading & Writing, Speaking | Listening, Reading & Writing, Speaking | Listening, Reading & Writing, Speaking |
| Number of Papers | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| What comes next? | Movers | Flyers | B1 Preliminary |
Overview: The Three Cambridge YLE Levels
Cambridge Young Learners Exams (YLE) consists of three exams in increasing order of difficulty:
| Exam | CEFR Level | Recommended Age | Vocabulary Required | Total Exam Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-A1 Starters | Pre-A1 | 6–8 years | ~150 words | 45 min |
| A1 Movers | A1 | 7–9 years | ~300 words | ~60 min |
| A2 Flyers | A2 | 9–12 years | ~1,200 words (cumulative) | ~75 min |
Cambridge Starters: Entry Level
Who Is It For?
- Children aged 6–8 beginning structured English study
- Around 100 hours of basic English learning
- Knows colours, numbers, familiar objects and simple sentences
Exam Content: Reading & Writing (20 min): Match pictures to words, label pictures, colour according to instructions, write simple sentences. Listening (20 min): Listen and colour, listen and connect, listen and fill in numbers. Speaking (3–5 min): Describe a picture, answer simple personal questions.
Cambridge Movers: Intermediate Level
For children aged 7–9 who have completed Starters. Key Differences from Starters:
- More topics: school, weather, body, clothes, sports
- Longer and more complex reading passages
- Must write complete sentences, not just fill in single words
- Speaking section is longer: 5–7 minutes
Cambridge Flyers: Advanced Level
For children aged 9–12 who have completed Movers. Key Differences from Movers:
- ~500 new vocabulary words added beyond Movers, for a total of ~1,200 cumulative words across all three YLE levels
- Part 7 Writing: write a complete story of 20 or more words based on 3 pictures
- Open response questions requiring independent thinking and expression
- Longest total exam time: about 75 minutes
Does My Child Need to Take All Three Levels?
No, it is not required. Parents can choose to enter children directly for Movers or Flyers if their level is appropriate. However, taking the exams in order offers clear benefits:
- Builds confidence level by level: children gain real exam experience
- Accumulates certificates progressively, especially useful for school applications
- Starters and Movers vocabulary is the foundation for Flyers
- Avoids excessive pressure from jumping levels too early
How to Identify Your Child's Current Level
The simplest method: download an official Cambridge practice test and have your child attempt it without time pressure. Share the results with their teacher or English centre for an accurate assessment:
- 70%+ correct → ready to try the next level
- 50–70% correct → at the right level, needs more practice
- Under 50% → should begin with a lower level
Summary
Cambridge Starters, Movers and Flyers are three rungs on the ladder of a child's English journey, each building on the previous level. Choosing the right starting point with guidance from a teacher gives children the confidence to achieve their best result. What matters most isn't which level to take, but having good teaching support and maintaining consistent daily practice alongside it. If your child is working towards Flyers, see how Flyers English games cover every skill tested in the exam. Once your child completes Flyers, see what comes after Cambridge Flyers and how A2 Key for Schools leads into B1 Preliminary for Schools.