A2 Key (KET) Overview

Level: A2. A2 Key — once called KET (Key English Test) — is the second rung of the Cambridge English ladder. It proves you can communicate in simple, everyday situations: understand basic signs and messages, introduce yourself and answer simple questions (Cambridge English). This page walks through its format, scoring and the best way to prepare here.

By the end of this page you can…

…describe the three components of A2 Key, say how long each one takes and how it is marked, read your score on the Cambridge English Scale, and build a study plan.

What A2 Key shows you can do

The exam tests all four English skills and, as Cambridge English describes it, shows a learner can:

• understand and use basic phrases and expressions;
• understand simple written English, such as signs and brochures;
• introduce themselves and answer basic questions about themselves;
• interact with English speakers at a basic level when people speak slowly.

It gives learners the confidence to move on to higher exams such as B1 Preliminary (Cambridge English).

Exam format

A2 Key has three components. The format is the same for the digital and paper exams (Cambridge English):

Reading and Writing is one combined paper, which is why A2 Key has three components rather than four. For a group of three candidates, the Speaking test runs 13–15 minutes (Cambridge English).

Inside Reading and Writing

The Reading and Writing paper has seven parts: Parts 1–5 test reading, Parts 6–7 test writing (Cambridge English).

Listening and Speaking

Listening lasts 30 minutes (including 6 minutes to transfer your answers) and has 5 parts and 25 questions; you hear announcements and other everyday spoken material delivered reasonably slowly (Cambridge English).

Speaking is face to face. You take it with one or two other candidates and two examiners: one examiner talks to you, the other listens (and may examine remotely). It has 2 parts, where you answer and ask simple questions (Cambridge English).

How it is scored

A2 Key reports on the Cambridge English Scale. The exam is targeted at A2, but it also gives reliable results at the level above (B1) and the level below (A1) (Cambridge English):

Scores between 80 and 99 are also reported: candidates do not receive a certificate, but the Cambridge English Scale score appears on the Statement of Results (Cambridge English). Digital results arrive in 5–10 working days; paper results normally in 4–6 weeks (Cambridge English).

Which exam should you take

A2 Key at a glance.

How to prepare with this course

Target your weakest skills first, then rehearse under time pressure:

• Grammar: lock down the A2 basics — the present simple, a / an and articles, there is / there are, the past simple and prepositions of time.
• Vocabulary: work through the top 100 words, family and food, plus numbers, dates and money.
• Writing: Parts 6–7 reward short, clear messages — use the Writing practice guide.
• Reading: rehearse with A2 reading practice.
• Speaking: practise introductions with Personal information and Greetings & introductions.

Sample A2 English

These sentences are at about the level A2 Key tests. Use the audio to hear them.

Example sentences

1. My name is Ana and I am from Peru.
   Introducing yourself in the Speaking test.
2. The shop opens at nine in the morning.
   A simple notice, read for the main message.
3. I have two brothers and one sister.
   Answering a basic question about yourself.
4. Can I have a coffee, please?
   A simple everyday request.
5. The train leaves from platform four.
   Understanding a short announcement.
6. There is a bank next to the post office.
   Describing where a place is.
7. We went to the beach on Sunday.
   A past simple sentence, tested at A2.
8. She likes tea but she does not like coffee.
   Present simple with a negative.
9. How much is this T-shirt?
   Asking about a price when shopping.
10. Please write your name and address here.
    A short instruction on a form.
11. I am going to visit my grandmother tomorrow.
    Talking about a plan.
12. The weather is cold and it is raining.
    Describing the weather.
13. Thank you for your email. See you on Friday.
    A short, friendly note.
14. What time do you start work?
    Asking a simple question.

Practice

Practice

A2 Key (KET)

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 How long is the Reading and Writing paper?

30 minutes 45 minutes 1 hour 2 hours

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1 hour — Reading and Writing lasts one hour and is worth 50% of the marks.

2 Match each component to its share of the marks.

• Reading and Writing Match for Reading and Writing — choose — 25%50%
• Listening Match for Listening — choose — 25%50%
• Speaking Match for Speaking — choose — 25%50%

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• Reading and Writing → 50%
• Listening → 25%
• Speaking → 25%

Reading and Writing is half the marks; Listening and Speaking are a quarter each.

3 A2 Key is targeted at CEFR level ____. (one code)

Check

Hint: between A1 and B1

Show answer

A2 — The exam aims at A2, but also reports reliable results at A1 and B1.

4 Put the three components in the order used in this course table.

SpeakingReading and WritingListening

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Reading and Writing Listening Speaking — A2 Key has Reading and Writing, then Listening, then Speaking.

5 In the Speaking test, who are you with?

A computer only One or two other candidates and two examiners Just one examiner, alone A large group of ten

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One or two other candidates and two examiners — Speaking is face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners.

6 On the scale, a grade A on A2 Key is certified at CEFR level ____. (one code)

Check

Hint: the level above A2

Show answer

B1 — Scores of 140–150 earn grade A and a B1 certificate.

Quiz

Check yourself

A2 Key (KET) quiz

11 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.

0/11 0 answered

1. 1A2 Key was formerly known as…

   A PET B KET C FCE D CAE
   Show answer

   KET — A2 Key used to be called KET, the Key English Test.

2. 2How many components does A2 Key have?

   A Two B Three C Four D Five
   Show answer

   Three — It has three: Reading and Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

3. 3Why does A2 Key have three components, not four?

   A It has no Speaking test B Reading and Writing are one combined paper C It has no Listening test D It only tests grammar
   Show answer

   Reading and Writing are one combined paper — Reading and Writing are combined into a single one-hour paper.

4. 4What share of the marks is Reading and Writing worth?

   A 25% B 33% C 50% D 75%
   Show answer

   50% — Reading and Writing is 50%; Listening and Speaking are 25% each.

5. 5How long is the Listening test?

   A 10 minutes B 30 minutes, including transfer time C 1 hour D 90 minutes
   Show answer

   30 minutes, including transfer time — Listening is 30 minutes, including 6 minutes to transfer answers.

6. 6How many parts does the Reading and Writing paper have?

   A Three B Five C Seven D Ten
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   Seven — It has seven parts: Parts 1–5 reading, Parts 6–7 writing.

7. 7In Part 7 you write a short story based on…

   A a news article B three picture prompts C a song D a map
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   three picture prompts — Part 7 asks for a short story of 35 words or more from three pictures.

8. 8What CEFR level is A2 Key targeted at?

   A A1 B A2 C B1 D B2
   Show answer

   A2 — The exam is targeted at A2, with reliable results at A1 and B1 too.

9. 9A very strong A2 Key result can be certified at…

   A A1 B A2 only C B1 D B2
   Show answer

   B1 — Scores of 140–150 earn grade A and a B1 certificate.

10. 10How is the Speaking test taken?

    A Into a computer B Face to face with other candidates and two examiners C By phone D In writing
    Show answer

    Face to face with other candidates and two examiners — You speak face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners.

11. 11What happens to the A2 Key paper exam after December 2026?

    A It is unchanged B It is withdrawn; the digital exam stays C It moves to B1 D Speaking is removed
    Show answer

    It is withdrawn; the digital exam stays — Cambridge English withdraws the A2 Key paper exam after December 2026; the digital version and A2 Key for Schools paper continue.

Recap cheat-sheet

Next

• Build the basics: English Grammar lessons
• Grow your words: English Vocabulary sets
• Time yourself: A2 reading practice
• Back to the English exams hub
• New here? Start with Start Learning English Here