MOVERS is a term often mentioned about the Cambridge Movers certificate. It is designed for a specific age group. Movers correspond to a certain English proficiency level. To help children prepare for A1 Movers at home, parents can find test formats and study materials in this article, which summarizes essential information.
1. What is the Movers certificate?
Movers is the second level of the Cambridge Young Learners English (YLE) system for students aged 6-11, including Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers, and A2 Flyers. The exams in the YLE system often revolve around familiar topics and focus on developing effective English communication skills through four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing.
The candidates for the Cambridge Movers certificate are usually children aged 8-10 who have had approximately 90-100 hours of guided English learning. If your child has never learned English, you should start with the first level, Pre A1 Starters, to introduce them to basic English vocabulary and structures.
Video introducing the Cambridge Young Learners English exams Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers, and A2 Flyers:
If your child is aged 8-10 and has been learning English for a while, you can have them take a quick test on the FLYER Virtual Practice Room to assess their current level. The test results will appear immediately after your child submits the test, along with suggestions for the appropriate level (Starters, Movers, or Flyers) that your child should study.
The Movers certificate has lifelong validity. Your child only needs to take the test once and can progress to a higher level if they achieve the desired test results. In cases where the test results are not as expected, you may consider registering your child for another Movers test or adjusting your English learning path according to what is most suitable for your child.
2. Movers Cambridge test format
The Movers Cambridge test lasts for approximately 60 minutes and consists of three parts: Listening, Reading & Writing, and Speaking. The time and the number of questions in each section are as follows:
2.1. Listening Test
The A1 Movers Listening test consists of 5 parts, with each part having 5 questions and 1-2 examples. Candidates will listen to the audio twice.
| Part | Instruction |
| 1 | Look at a picture and listen to a conversation, match the provided character names with the corresponding people in the picture. |
| 2 | Listen to a dialogue and fill in one word or one number in the blank spaces on a given note. |
| 3 | Observe two sets of pictures: the first set contains names of people/objects/places and blank spaces; the second set contains pictures labeled A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. Candidates will listen to a conversation and write the letter (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, or H) next to the corresponding person/object/place. |
| 4 | Listen to 5 separate dialogues, each followed by a multiple-choice question with three pictures. Choose the most suitable picture according to the content of the dialogue. |
| 5 | Listen to a conversation and correctly color each object as instructed in the dialogue. |
2.2. Reading and Writing Test
| Part | Instruction |
| 1 | Look at 8 pictures accompanied by illustrated words for each picture. Read the definitions provided in the question and fill in the appropriate word that matches the given definition. |
| 2 | Read a short dialogue between two people and choose the listener’s response by circling A, B, or C. |
| 3 | Fill in words in the blanks: The question provides words accompanied by illustrated pictures and explains their meanings. Finally, it’s a multiple-choice question with 3 answer options to choose the passage’s title. |
| 4 | Multiple-choice exercise to fill in words in the blanks: Read a text with several blanks; each blank has 3 answer choices. Candidates select the correct answer and fill it into the blank. |
| 5 | Read a story composed of 3 parts, each part having an illustrated picture. Complete the story with 1-3 suitable words. |
| 6 | Look at a picture and complete the descriptive sentences, as well as answer questions about the picture. |
2.3. Speaking Test
| Part | Instruction |
| 1 | Look at 2 identical pictures with only a few differences. The examiner asks the candidate to find and describe 4 differences. |
| 2 | Look at a series of 4 pictures that, when arranged correctly, tell a story. The examiner describes the first picture to the candidate and then asks the candidate to describe the other 3 pictures. |
| 3 | Identify the different picture in a series of pictures. |
| 4 | The examiner asks the candidate some personal questions about topics like school, weekends, friends, and hobbies. |
3. A1 Movers exam results
The scores for the 3 parts of the A1 Movers exam are calculated using shields (the Cambridge logo). The maximum number of shields for each part is 5 shields, as illustrated on the certificate. The total number of shields a candidate can achieve for one certificate is 15.
The Movers exam does not distinguish between passing or failing; every child participating in the exam will receive a certificate that reflects the number of shields they have achieved. In addition to the certificate, candidates also receive a Statement of Results that comes with a detailed description of their corresponding English language proficiency based on the number of shields achieved.
4. Why should your child prepare for the A1 Movers certificate?
4.1. A1 Movers certificate is recognized globally
The Cambridge English certificates, including A1 Movers, are established under the auspices of the University of Cambridge – one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The exams are designed according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is suitable for the psychological and learning abilities of each age group. Like other reputable certificates, Cambridge certificates are widely recognized worldwide.
4.2. A1 Movers is a comprehensive English assessment for all 4 skills
A1 Movers assesses a child’s English proficiency comprehensively through four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. With these four-skill exams, parents and teachers can monitor children’s English language levels, track their progress, and plan suitable learning and development.
4.3. A1 Movers helps children consolidate their basic English foundation
By completing A1 Movers, children will have a solid grasp of approximately 700 words related to familiar topics (such as school supplies, colors, family, friends, animals, daily activities, etc.), and they will be familiar with common grammar points (comparatives and superlatives of adjectives and adverbs, the simple past tense, conjunctions, relative pronouns, etc.). With this English foundation, children at the A1 English level can communicate in most everyday situations.
5. Effective tips for the 2023 Cambridge Movers exam
5.1. 200+ practice Movers exams on the Virtual Testing Platform
The FLYER Virtual English Testing Platform offers over 200+ Cambridge Movers exam practice tests (covering all parts: Listening, Reading & Writing, and Speaking) to provide your child with preparation for the Cambridge Starters exam.
- These exams have been carefully compiled to match the format (up to 90%) following Cambridge’s latest standards.
- The automatic scoring system and answer key will help students review and study effectively at home.
- Interactive exercises and game simulations stimulate children’s brain activity and interest in learning.
- It offers various fun learning features such as challenges with friends, short practice exercises, and vocabulary reviews.
Moreover, a helpful feature for parents is the Learning Report, which makes it easy to track the progress of their children’s studies. The system automatically stores all test results and uses them to provide feedback on the student’s current proficiency level, strengths, and areas that require improvement.
More significantly, parents who use FLYER’s virtual testing platform can save up to 80% on their kids’ exam preparation expenses!
5.3. Other resources
Here are some A1 Movers exam preparation books:
- Fun for Movers book series
- Story Fun Books 3 and 4
- A1 Movers – 3 Practice tests book
Conclusion
You’ve received a comprehensive explanation of the A1 Movers certificate. You now grasp its advantages for your child. Opting for the Cambridge curriculum is a commitment, but it promises lasting rewards. It lays a strong English foundation, facilitating progress to higher levels and aiding in education and integration.
Choosing the Cambridge curriculum for your child offers numerous benefits. It provides a thorough understanding of the A1 Movers certificate, ensuring you appreciate its advantages. Committing to this curriculum demands effort, but it guarantees long-term benefits. By establishing a solid English foundation, it equips children to excel at higher English levels and enhances their educational and integration prospects in English-speaking environments.
