Movers Exam vs. Starters Exam

Attribute	Movers Exam	Starters Exam
Level	Lower	Beginner
Age Group	Young learners	Young learners
Skills Assessed	Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing	Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing
Number of Sections	4	4
Duration	Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes	Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes

Introduction

When it comes to assessing the English language proficiency of young learners, two popular exams are the Movers Exam and the Starters Exam. These exams are designed by Cambridge Assessment English and are part of the Cambridge English Young Learners suite of exams. While both exams are aimed at young learners, there are some key differences in terms of the content, difficulty level, and target age group. In this article, we will compare the attributes of the Movers Exam and the Starters Exam to help you understand which exam may be more suitable for your students.

Content

The content of the Movers Exam and the Starters Exam differs in terms of the vocabulary and grammar structures that are tested. The Starters Exam is designed for young learners who are just beginning to learn English, so the vocabulary and grammar structures tested are basic and simple. In contrast, the Movers Exam is aimed at students who have a slightly higher level of English proficiency, so the vocabulary and grammar structures tested are more complex. For example, in the Starters Exam, students may be asked to identify simple objects and actions, while in the Movers Exam, students may be asked to describe events and express opinions.

Difficulty Level

Another key difference between the Movers Exam and the Starters Exam is the difficulty level of the tasks. The Starters Exam is designed to be accessible to young learners who are just starting to learn English, so the tasks are relatively simple and straightforward. In contrast, the Movers Exam is designed to challenge students who have a higher level of English proficiency, so the tasks are more complex and require a deeper understanding of the language. For example, in the Starters Exam, students may be asked to match pictures to simple words, while in the Movers Exam, students may be asked to complete sentences with the correct verb tense.

Target Age Group

The target age group for the Movers Exam and the Starters Exam also differs. The Starters Exam is designed for children aged 6 to 7 years old, while the Movers Exam is designed for children aged 8 to 9 years old. This difference in target age group is reflected in the content and difficulty level of the exams. The Starters Exam is more suitable for younger children who are just beginning to learn English, while the Movers Exam is more suitable for older children who have a higher level of English proficiency.

Format

Both the Movers Exam and the Starters Exam have a similar format, with four papers that test different language skills: Listening, Reading and Writing, Speaking, and Use of English. However, the tasks in each paper differ in terms of the content and difficulty level. For example, in the Listening paper of the Starters Exam, students may be asked to listen to simple instructions and identify objects, while in the Listening paper of the Movers Exam, students may be asked to listen to longer passages and answer questions about them.

Scoring

The scoring system for the Movers Exam and the Starters Exam is also different. In the Starters Exam, students receive a certificate with one of three levels: Pass with Distinction, Pass, or Fail. In contrast, in the Movers Exam, students receive a certificate with one of five levels: Pass with Merit, Pass, Pass with Merit, Pass with Distinction, or Fail. This difference in scoring reflects the higher level of English proficiency required for the Movers Exam compared to the Starters Exam.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Movers Exam and the Starters Exam are both valuable tools for assessing the English language proficiency of young learners. While the Starters Exam is designed for younger children who are just beginning to learn English, the Movers Exam is designed for older children who have a higher level of English proficiency. The content, difficulty level, target age group, format, and scoring system of the two exams differ, so it is important to consider these factors when choosing which exam may be more suitable for your students. Ultimately, both exams provide a comprehensive assessment of students' language skills and can help them progress in their English language learning journey.