A2 Key for Schools
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.
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 paper-based and computer-based exams. Please note that computer-based (CB) exams are being replaced by Cambridge English Qualifications Digital in February 2024. Visit our Cambridge English Qualifications Digital webpage to find out more.
Listening
Paper : Listening (30 minutes, including 6 minutes’ transfer time)
Content : 5 parts/ 25 questions
Marks (% of total) : 25%
Reading & Writing
Paper : Reading & Writing (1 Hour)
Content : 7 parts/
32 questions
Marks (% of total) : 50%
Speaking
Paper : Speaking (8–10 minutes per pair of candidates; 13-15 minutes per group of three)
Content : 2 parts
Marks (% of total) : 25%
Results
A2 Key for Schools results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale.
You will receive a separate score for each of the three papers (Reading and Writing, Listening, and Speaking), giving you a clear understanding of your performance. These three scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam. You will also be given a grade and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level.
