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Pre A1 Starters Digital is the first digital Cambridge English Qualifications for young learners. Designed for maximum engagement, children find themselves transported to an underwater world. They create themselves as avatars and work their way along a map, completing tasks and earning rewards.
Exam preparation
Pre A1 Starters Digital
At a glance
Exam format
Pre A1 Starters Digital is made up of three components, designed to motivate young learners and encourage a positive mindset towards future learning and assessment.
Maximum 40 minutes
The Pre A1 Starters Digital Listening test is a digital component consisting of five tasks. Each task starts with an example. In most tasks, children will hear the audio twice. In task 4, they can listen as many times as they need. Children may achieve a maximum of 5 shields.
Task 1: Minimal differences
- Listen to a short sentence or phrase and select the correct picture from a choice of three.
- 2 questions
Task 2: Story scene
- Listen to and understand details in a story. Select correct pictures from a choice of three.
- 5 questions
Task 3: Note-taking
- Listen for spellings and numbers. Drag and drop letters and numbers to complete a set of notes.
- 5 questions
Task 4: Interactive dialogue
- Listen to questions/prompts and choose the appropriate response from a choice of three.
- 3 questions
Task 5: Picture editing
- Listen to the descriptions and follow the instructions by dragging and dropping objects into the correct place in the picture (questions 1-3) and colouring objects with digital crayons (questions 4 and 5).
- 5 questions
Maximum 25 minutes
The Pre A1 Starters Digital Reading and Writing test is a digital component consisting of five tasks. Each task starts with an example. Children may achieve a maximum of 5 shields.
Task 1: Information posters
- Read a short phrase on a poster and choose the correct picture from a choice of three to add to it (questions 1-2). Look at a visual on a poster and choose from a choice of three short phrases to add to it (questions 3-5).
- 5 questions
Task 2: Online messages
- Read a text/online message exchange and choose the correct picture, emoji, or sticker from a choice of three.
- 5 questions
Task 3: Spelling
- Complete words by choosing the correct letter combinations (questions 1 and 2) and by unscrambling the letters (questions 3-5).
- 5 questions
Task 4: Factual topic
- Read some sentences on a factual topic and drag and drop a word to fill the gap in each sentence.
- 5 questions
Task 5: Comic book story
- Type one-word answers to questions about a picture story.
- 5 questions
3 – 5 minutes
The Pre A1 Starters Digital Speaking test is a face-to-face component consisting of four tasks. Children take the test alone with the examiner, but someone they know who speaks their language (like their teacher) will introduce them to the examiner and explain what to do in their own language. Children may achieve a maximum of 5 shields.
Task 1: Scene picture and object cards
- Point to correct parts of a picture.
- Place object cards on the scene picture as directed.
Task 2: Scene picture
- Give short answers to questions, including a “Tell me about…” question.
Task 3: Object cards
- Give short answers to questions.
Task 4: Personal questions
- Give short answers to questions
Support and information for candidates and parents
Check the following guide to the exam, with advice on preparing, tips for the day and links to resources.
Children can have fun learning English with the Cambridge English free games and activities.
Find information and tips to help encourage your children to have fun learning English.
Can Do statements
Linked to the CEFR, Can Do statements show what a learner can do at each level.
- Can Do statements for Pre A1 Starters Digital and A1 Movers Digital.
Sample tests
Digital
Watch this video tutorial for help on how to complete an A1 Movers Digital test. You can also explore the interactive walkthrough to see what candidates will experience on exam day.
Word List and Word List Picture Book
- You can use the Pre A1 Starters Wordlist to help children to improve their English and learn new words.
Wordlist - The colourful Pre A1 Starters Word List Picture Book has many of the words children have to learn for the Pre A1 Starters test.
Wordlist Picture book - The Pre A1 Starters classroom activities book will help children get better at English and learn new words.
Classroom activities book - The Pre A1 Starters progress charts for students and teachers will help motivate learners.
Progress charts
- You can also check the following flashcards with activities based on topics from the A1 Movers Word List Picture Book:
Speaking test videos
These videos will help your students understand what happens during a speaking test. You can also download examiner comments for each video.
