A2 Key (KET)

The A2 Key (KET) is the Cambridge English exam used to certify an A2 level. In this article, I will explain everything you need to know about this exam.

The A2 Key (KET) is the exam from Cambridge Assessment English used to certify a level of language proficiency equivalent to A2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Before 2015, this exam was called the Key English Test (KET), which is why it is still common to refer to it as KET, despite the relatively recent change to A2 Key. Currently, it has undergone a series of changes, so this guide is updated with the changes for the year 2020.

This exam certifies your ability to communicate very simply in everyday situations. With this A2 certificate, you can demonstrate that you understand and use basic expressions in English, and that you understand simple written English. Additionally, you are able to introduce yourself and answer some basic questions about yourself, being able to interact with natives at a very basic level.

What is A2 Level

The A2 level, as I explained earlier, is a level defined by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This document of linguistic competence standards defines a citizen at A2 level as someone who:

– Is capable of understanding frequent phrases and expressions related to areas of experience that are particularly relevant to them (basic information about themselves and their family, shopping, places of interest, occupations, etc.).
– Can communicate when carrying out simple and everyday tasks that require only simple and direct exchanges of information on familiar matters.
– Can describe in simple terms aspects of their background and environment, as well as issues related to their immediate needs.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), p. 26.

For this reason, the A2 Key (KET) exam is aimed at speakers of the English language with a very basic level, as defined by the CEFR (Basic User).

What Parts Does the A2 Key (KET) Have

The Cambridge A2 Key exam, previously known as the Key English Test (KET), consists of 4 parts:

Before continuing to read, you should note that the description I am going to give of the exam is of the new format coming into effect from 2020.

A2 Key: Reading & Writing

• Tasks: 7 parts (5 from Reading + 2 from Writing)
• No. of items: 32 (30 from Reading + 2 from Writing)
• Duration: 60 minutes

In this A2 level exam, the Reading and Writing parts are taken together but evaluated separately. Below you will find a brief description of each part with examples.

A2 Key: Reading

• Part 1:
  • No. of questions: 6
  • Description: short messages are displayed and the correct option (A, B, or C) must be chosen.
• Part 2:
  • No. of questions: 7
  • Description: there are 3 paragraphs about 3 different people, and the correct answer to the questions (A, B, or C) must be chosen.
• Part 3:
  • No. of questions: 5
  • Description: there is a medium-length text and 5 multiple-choice questions (A, B, or C) to answer.
• Part 4:
  • No. of questions: 6
  • Description: there is a short text with gaps. The correct expression (A, B, or C) must be chosen for each gap.
• Part 5:
  • No. of questions: 6
  • Description: there is a short text with gaps. A word that fits correctly in the gap must be written for each.

A2 Key: Writing

• Part 5:
  • No. of questions: 1
  • Description: write an email or short message of 25 words or more.
• Part 6:
  • No. of questions: 1
  • Description: write a short story of 35 words or more following a series of three given images.

A2 Key: Listening

• Tasks: 5 parts
• No. of items: 25
• Duration: 30 minutes (approx.)

The Listening part of the A2 Key (KET) is conducted independently and consists of the following parts:

• Part 1:
  • No. of questions: 5
  • Description: 5 short extracts are heard, and the correct answer (A, B, or C), which is provided as an image, must be chosen.
• Part 2:
  • No. of questions: 5
  • Description: a long extract of a person speaking is heard, and a summary of what they are saying must be filled in. You need to fill in with words, numbers, or dates.
• Part 3:
  • No. of questions: 5
  • Description: a long extract is heard, and 5 multiple-choice questions (A, B, or C) must be answered.
• Part 4:
  • No. of questions: 5
  • Description: 5 short extracts are heard, and a question for each must be answered by choosing the correct answer (A, B, or C).
• Part 5:
  • No. of questions: 5
  • Description: a conversation between two people is heard, and different elements (21 – 25) must be matched with the appropriate answer (A – H).

A2 Key: Speaking

• Tasks: 2 parts
• Duration: 8 – 10 minutes (approx.)

The new Speaking exam format for A2 Key (KET), introduced in 2020, consists of 2 parts, and each part is divided into two phases. Let’s see what each one consists of:

• Part 1: Part one consists of answering a series of basic personal questions about the candidates’ background. The examiner asks questions and the candidates respond.
  • Phase 1: the examiner asks the candidates’ names and where they are from.
  • Phase 2: the examiner introduces two themes one at a time and asks questions about them, requesting one of the candidates to talk about the topic in question. For example: Now, let’s talk about friends. How often do you see your friends? Where do your friends live? Tell me something about one of your friends.
• Part 2: in this part, the candidates must interact with each other and then with the examiner.
  • Phase 1: the examiner introduces a topic and gives the candidates a set of images. After discussing between themselves for 1 to 2 minutes, the examiner asks a series of questions to the candidates.
  • Phase 2: the examiner asks each candidate two questions. These questions arise from the topic of phase 1.

KET Sample Test / KET Exam in PDF

As you will know, once we have the level to take an exam, it is essential to practice with sample exams. Therefore, here is a sample test for A2 Key (KET) in PDF for download. I hope you find it useful.

KET Vocabulary List / KET Vocabulary List

One of the clear advantages of taking a basic level exam like the Cambridge KET is that, being a relatively low level of English, there are still vocabulary lists you can use for study. Below is the official vocabulary list from the KET from Cambridge English. Download the list by clicking the button below.

How the A2 Key (KET) is Scored

Scoring a KET (A2 Key) exam is quite simple. Below you have the value of each question in each part of the exam.

• Reading: each item is worth 1 point, so a maximum of 30 points can be scored in Reading.
• Writing: each task has a weight of 15 points, that is, 30 points in total.
• Listening: each item counts as 1 point, so up to 25 points can be scored in Listening.
• Speaking: the entire Speaking section counts for up to 25 points.

Remember that to calculate the score, you cannot add the points from different parts. What you must do is calculate the percentage of each part and then average the 4 percentages.

How to Calculate Your A2 Key (KET) Exam Score

If you want to learn how to calculate the score for the A2 Key (KET), you simply need to watch the video below or follow the instructions in this article.