A2 Flyers (YLE Flyers)

The third and last exam for children, at level A2. With it the child rounds off the first years of learning and is ready to move on to the exams for pupils.

Apply for A2 Flyers See the dates

There is no pass or fail: a child earns up to five shields for each of the three skills.

Level: A2
Length: about 1 hour 15 minutes
Format: paper-based
Speaking test: the child talks one to one with the examiner
Fee: €89
Results: digital exam: 5 to 10 working days; paper-based: 4 to 6 weeks
Recommended for: children aged 10 to 11 (grade 5 or 6 of primary school)

What the certificate shows

Flyers corresponds to level A2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), the same as A2 Key, but its content and look are adapted to children. It shows that a child understands simple written and spoken English and can communicate in familiar situations.

A candidate who passes the exam can

understand simple texts and conversations on familiar topics
communicate in familiar situations
understand and use basic expressions and phrases
talk with someone who speaks slowly and clearly

What the exam consists of

Paper	Time	Content
Listening	about 25 minutes	5 parts, 25 questions
Reading and Writing	40 minutes	7 parts, 44 questions
Speaking	7–9 minutes	4 parts

Who we recommend it for

We recommend it for children who have taken Movers or have been learning English for four to five years.

After Flyers the natural next step is A2 Key for Schools or, for children who progress faster, B1 Preliminary for Schools.

How to prepare

Children prepare best through regular lessons at a language school or at their own primary school, with a teacher who knows the format. The exam does not call for learning by heart: the tasks are pictures, stories and conversation.

Ask your child's teacher whether they prepare the group for the exam, or find a preparation centre in your town.
At home, do one sample test from the Cambridge website together, so that your child sees what the exam looks like.
Cambridge publishes the word lists for Starters, Movers and Flyers free of charge.

Official Cambridge pages: Exam page, Sample tests and preparation materials

Dates and applying

Applications are accepted until the closing date shown with each session. After the closing date you can still apply up to ten days before the exam, for a late entry fee of €33, if there are places left.

No session is open for this exam at the moment. Write to us and we will tell you when we expect the next one. Write to us

All dates and fees

Questions about the exam

Can a child fail the exam?

No. There is no pass or fail in A2 Flyers. For each of the three skills the child receives between one and five shields, and every child who sits the exam receives a certificate.

What is the Speaking test like?

The child talks one to one with the examiner for a few minutes, with pictures and simple questions. There is no writing and no reading aloud.

When do the results and the certificate arrive?

Results of the paper-based exam usually arrive in 4 to 6 weeks, and the certificate three to four weeks after the results. Children entered through a preparation centre receive their certificate at their school.