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English Qualifications

A2 Key for Schools (KET)

Exams:

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About the A2 Key for Schools (KET) exam:

A2 Key for Schools, formerly known as Cambridge English: Key for Schools (KET for Schools), is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications. It is an exam for school-age learners which will help prepare them for higher-level English language qualifications.

An A2 Key for Schools qualification shows that a student can use English to communicate in simple situations. It’s a logical next step after our Cambridge English Qualifications designed for young learners and a good place for older children to start learning English too.

The exam gives students the confidence to go on to study for higher-level English exams, such as B1 Preliminary for Schools.

A2 Key for Schools is targeted at the same CEFR level as A2 Key, but with content aimed at school-age learners rather than adults.

Key facts:
Exam Format
CEFR level A2
Test format CB or PB*
Number of papers 3
Total exam length 98-100 mins
Reading and Writing 60 mins
Listening 30 mins
Speaking 8-10 mins
Preparatory Books
A2 Key for Schools Second Edition
A2Compact
Ask Quote for this book
An A2 Key for Schools qualification shows that a student can:
  • Understand and use basic phrases and expressions
  • Understand simple written English
  • Introduce themselves and answer basic questions about themselves
  • Interact with English speakers at a basic level.
Reasons to choose A2 Key for Schools:
  • Helps students gain the language skills they need to succeed in study and work, at home or abroad.
  • Easily integrated into a school’s curriculum.
  • Part of a suite of exams that offer step-by-step progression for students.
  • Comprehensive support with exam preparation and administration.
Test format

A2 Key for Schools is made up of three papers developed to test your English skills. You can see exactly what is in each paper below.

The formats below are the same for both the Digital and paper-based exams.

Paper Content Marks (% of total) Purpose
Reading and Writing (1 hour)
See sample paper 		7 parts / 32 questions 50% Shows you can understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines.
Listening (30 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time)
See sample paper 		5 parts / 25 questions 25% Requires you to be able to understand announcements and other spoken material when people speak reasonably slowly.
Speaking (8–10 minutes per pair of candidates; 13–15 minutes per group of three)
See sample paper 		2 parts 25% Shows you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Your Speaking test will be conducted usually face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. One of the examiners (who could be online, examining remotely) talks to you and the other examiner listens. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. Examiners may use their mobile phones for entering marks using an app.
What’s in the Reading and Writing paper?
The A2 Key for Schools Reading and Writing paper has seven parts and different types of texts and questions. Parts 1–5 are about reading and Parts 6–7 are mainly about writing.
Part 1 (Multiple choice)
What do candidates have to do? Read six short real-world texts for the main message.
How many questions are there? 6
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer
Part 2 (Multiple matching)
What do candidates have to do? Read seven questions and three short texts on the same topic, then match the questions to the texts.
How many questions are there? 7
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer
Part 3 (Multiple choice)
What do candidates have to do? Read one long text for detailed understanding and main ideas.
How many questions are there? 5
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer
Part 4 (Multiple-choice cloze)
What do candidates have to do? Read a factual text and choose the correct vocabulary items to complete the gaps.
How many questions are there? 6
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.
Part 5 (Open cloze)
What do candidates have to do? Complete gaps in an email (and sometimes the reply too) using one word.
How many questions are there? 6
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer
Part 6 (Guided writing)
What do candidates have to do? Write a short email or note of 25 words or more.
How many questions are there? 1
How many marks are there? The question has a maximum of 15 marks available
Part 7 (Picture story)
What do candidates have to do? Write a short story of 35 words or more based on three picture prompts.
How many questions are there? 1
How many marks are there? The question has a maximum of 15 marks available
What’s in the Listening paper?

The A2 Key for Schools Listening paper has five parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice.

Part 1 (Multiple choice)
What do candidates have to do? Identify key information in five short dialogues and choose the correct visual.
How many questions are there? 5
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.
Part 2 (Gap fill)
What do candidates have to do? Listen to a monologue and complete gaps in a page of notes.
How many questions are there? 5
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.
Part 3 (Multiple choice)
What do candidates have to do? Listen to a dialogue for key information and answer five 3-option questions.
How many questions are there? 5
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.
Part 4 (Multiple choice)
What do candidates have to do? Identify the main idea, message, gist or topic in five short monologues or dialogues and answer five 3-option questions.
How many questions are there? 5
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.
Part 5 (Matching)
What do candidates have to do? Listen to a dialogue for key information and match five items.
How many questions are there? 5
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.
What’s in the Speaking paper?

The A2 Key for Schools Speaking test has two parts and you take it with another candidate. There are two examiners. One examiner talks to you and the other examiner listens. Both examiners give marks for your performance.

Part 1 (Interview)
What do candidates have to do? Respond to questions, giving factual or personal information.
How long do candidates have to speak? 3–4 minutes.
Part 2 (Discussion)
What do candidates have to do? Candidates discuss likes and dislikes, and give reasons.
How long do candidates have to speak? 5–6 minutes.