Back to Homepage

A2 Flyers Speaking Test

Master the Cambridge A2 Flyers speaking test. Help your child confidently spot differences, ask questions, and tell a great story in this fun, interactive exam.

Visit Official Cambridge Site

Who is this exam for?

A2 Flyers is the highest of three Cambridge English Young Learners (YLE) tests, aimed at children aged 9–12. It proves a child can understand everyday written and spoken English at a basic level.

Try a Sample Task

In Part 3, the child is shown 5 pictures that tell a story. The examiner sets the scene, and the child must finish the story.

Part 3: Picture Story

"The Brave Dog"
Pic 1: Dog playing
Pic 2: Cat in a tree
Pic 3: Dog barking

The child must look at the pictures and describe what is happening: "The dog is playing. Now he sees a cat in the tree..."

Speaking Test Structure Masterclass

The A2 Flyers speaking test takes 7-9 minutes. It is a 1-on-1 interview with a friendly examiner who uses colorful pictures to make the test feel like a game.

Part 1: Spot the Differences

2 minutes

The examiner will say "Hello" and ask the child's name, surname, and age. Then, the examiner will show two pictures that look similar but have a few differences.

The examiner will say something about their picture (e.g., "In my picture, the boy is eating an apple."). The child must look at their own picture and say how it is different ("In my picture, the boy is eating a banana!").

Pro Tip: Practice prepositions of place! The child will need to say things like "Under the table", "Next to the car", or "Behind the tree" to describe the differences.

Part 2: Information Exchange

2-3 minutes

The examiner and the child each have a piece of paper. The child has information about a person/place but is missing some details. The examiner has the missing details.

The child must ask the examiner questions to get the missing information (e.g., "What is the name of the teacher?"). Then, they swap roles, and the examiner asks the child questions.

Pro Tip: Practice forming 'Wh-' questions! Children often struggle to formulate correct questions under pressure. Practice asking Who, What, Where, When, and Why.

Part 3: Picture Story

2 minutes

The examiner will show 5 pictures that tell a story. They will tell the child the title of the story and describe the first picture.

The child must then look at the remaining 4 pictures and describe what happens next to finish the story.

Pro Tip: Don't panic! The child only needs to say 1 or 2 simple sentences for each picture. (e.g., "The girl is running. She is very fast. Now she has the ball.")

Part 4: Personal Questions

2 minutes

The examiner puts the pictures away and asks the child a few personal questions about their life. Topics might include their school, their friends, their hobbies, or what they did last weekend.

Watch an Example Test

Watch an official Cambridge mock test to see how friendly the examiners are and how children answer the picture questions.

What are the examiners listening for?

The focus is entirely on rewarding what the child *can* do, rather than punishing mistakes. The examiners want to see the child try their best to communicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child fail the A2 Flyers speaking test?

No! There is no pass or fail in the Cambridge Young Learners exams. Every child receives a certificate that shows how many 'shields' (from 1 to 5) they earned in each part of the test to celebrate their progress.

What happens if my child freezes and doesn't understand the examiner?

The examiners for Young Learners are specially trained to be friendly and encouraging. If a child doesn't understand, the examiner will smile, point to the pictures to help, and ask the question again in a simpler way.

Can parents wait inside the exam room?

No, parents must wait outside. The speaking test is conducted 1-on-1 between the child and a friendly, trained examiner in a safe, quiet room.

Nail Your Flyers Score

A2 Flyers is a fun, visual exam. Have your child practice spotting differences and telling stories with pictures with our friendly native tutors!