Cambridge Exams
Cambridge Young Learner ESOL exams are for children aged between 7 and 12 years old. We prepare our students to sit the exams when they are 9, 10, 11 or 12 years old in order to give them the best chance of obtaining a high score in the exam. It is impossible to fail the exams, so if your child takes part in the exam, he or she will obtain a certificate regardless of his or her performance. There are three parts to each exam. Reading and Writing, Listening and finally Speaking.
Cambridge award shields for each part. There are five shields available in each part giving each candidate the possibility of obtaining 15 shields. That is the maximum score in the exam, but with a score of 10 shields, your child will have demonstrated that he or she has a high enough level of English to continue to the next level.
- Starters is the first of the three Cambridge English Young Learners tests. The test is designed to be fun and motivating to give your child the confidence to show what they can do in English. It leads naturally to the next level of the test, Cambridge English: Movers, encouraging your child to make progress and develop their learning. The Starters test is set just below Level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). It lays the foundation for language learning, teaching practical language skills and offering a reliable and consistent measure of how well children are doing in the skills of listening, speaking and reading and writing. Students in Young Learners 1 prepare for this exam and take it when they are eight or nine years old.
- Movers is the second level of the three Cambridge English: Young Learners tests. This motivating test will develop your child’s confidence so they will want to learn more and use English to a more challenging level.
Movers is set at Level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
A1 is the level of English needed to:
- Understand basic instructions or take part in a basic conversation on a topic
- Understand basic notices, instructions or information
- Complete basic forms, and write notes including times, dates and places
- Flyers is the highest of the three Cambridge English Young Learners tests. As your child develops and works their way up to the Flyers certificate, they reach a level that will enable them to aim for KET or PET exams which lead to certificates internationally accepted for work and study purposes.
When children learn English, it is important that they learn English which is practical and useful. They also need to work towards international standards that will prepare them for study abroad or the international world of work.
Flyers is set at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). .
A2 is the level of English needed to:
- Comprender textos sencillos en Inglés
- Understand simple written English
- Communicate in familiar situations
- Understand short notices and simple spoken directions
- Understand and use basic phrases and expressions
- Introduce themselves and answer basic questions about their personal details
- Interact with English speakers who talk slowly and clearly
- Write short, simple notes
- The KET exam shows you can understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. It requires you to be able to understand announcements and other spoken material when people speak reasonably slowly. It tests your ability to take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. KET is set at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
A2 is the level of English needed to:
- Understand simple written English
- Communicate in familiar situations
- Understand short notices and simple spoken directions
- Understand and use basic phrases and expressions
- Introduce yourself and answer basic questions about your personal details
- Interact with English speakers who talk slowly and clearly
- Write short, simple notes
- The PET exam shows you can read and understand the main points from signs, journals, newspapers and magazines, and can use vocabulary and structure correctly. It requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials including announcements and discussions about everyday life. It demonstrates your spoken English as you take part in conversation, asking/answering questions, and talking freely, for example, about your likes and dislikes.
PET is set at Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). B1 is the level of English needed to:
- Deal with everyday events
- Read simple textbooks or magazine articles
- Write letters on familiar subjects
- Take notes in a meeting
- Understand the main points of straightforward instructions or public announcements
- Deal with situations you might meet when travelling in an English-speaking country
- Ask simple questions and take part in factual conversations in a work environment
- Write letters or make notes on familiar matters
- The FCE shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. It requires you to be able to produce two different pieces of writing, such as essays, letters, reports, reviews and short stories. Your use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary. It requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as news programmes, presentations and everyday conversations. It tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.
FCE is set at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). ). B2 is the level of English needed to:
- Study in English at foundation or pathway level
- Work in an English-speaking environment
- Live independently in an English-speaking country
- Comprender las principales ideas de relatos complejos
- Understand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing
- Keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics, expressing opinions and presenting arguments
- Produce clear, detailed writing, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view
- Cambridge Advanced English CAE (C1) is an in-depth assessment of English for people who want to use English in demanding work and study situations. It tests your ability to understand the main ideas and detail of written text along with the opinion, tone, purpose, attitude, and text organisation features (such as exemplification, comparison, reference). You are required to show that they can use writing to communicate effectively, demonstrating ability to advise, persuade, compare, evaluate, express opinions, hypothesise and justify. Different parts of the test focus on different types of listening experience and comprehension. You are required to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials such as lectures, speeches, interviews, discussions and anecdotes. CAE is set at Level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). C1 is the level of English needed to:
- Understand gist and detail, feeling, attitude, opinion and purpose expressed
- Understand a variety of voices, styles of delivery and international accents
- Organise your thoughts and ideas and express yourself coherently using appropriate language
- Exchange information, express and justify your opinions, and agree or disagree with others
- Demonstrate that you are capable of discussing topics and certain issues in depth
- CPE shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction and non-fiction books, journals, newspapers and manuals. It requires you to be able to write a variety of items, such as essays, proposals, reports and reviews. It tests your ability to use the right words, tenses and idioms in the right situation, at the right time. It requires you to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials, such as lectures, speeches and interviews. It tests your ability to communicate effectively in face-to-face situations.
CPE is set at Level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).C2 is the level of English needed to:
- Study demanding subjects at the highest levels, including postgraduate and PhD programmes
- Actively engage in academic life by participating confidently in tutorials and seminars
- Lead on complex and challenging research projects
- Negotiate and persuade effectively at senior management level in international business settings
- Uderstand the main ideas of complex pieces of writing
- Understand documents, correspondence and reports, including the finer points of complex pieces of writing
- Advise on or talk about complex or sensitive issues, understanding colloquial references and dealing confidently with hostile questions
- Write on any subject and take full notes of meetings or seminars with good expression and accuracy