LanguageCert A2 Access: Complete Guide for Candidates with Exams in PDF [2026]

Discover everything about the LanguageCert A2 Access: exam structure, duration, price, assessment, and exams in PDF. Complete 2026 guide for candidates.

Updated on 17/02/26

Do you want to certify your A2 level with an international qualification? Now you can do it online, from home, with the LanguageCert A2 Access.

The A2 English level is the second level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and it represents an elementary level of the language. It is ideal for those who already have basic knowledge of English and want to take the next step in their learning. Although it is not as in demand as B1 or B2, A2 remains an important certification for many people who need to prove an elementary level of English for studies, work, or simply to show their progress in the language. Therefore, in this article, I am going to tell you about the LanguageCert A2 Access, one of the most accessible and reliable exams to certify this level.

What is the LanguageCert A2 Access Exam

The LanguageCert A2 Access exam is the A2 level exam in the LanguageCert International ESOL series. By taking this exam, the four language skills of the candidates are evaluated. In general, this exam is designed for those who want to certify an elementary level of English. It is an appropriate level of English for communicating in simple, everyday, and familiar situations, being the second step on the path towards higher levels such as B1 or B2.

What Level Does A2 Access Certify

The objective of the LanguageCert International ESOL A2 Access is to certify elementary language competence, as described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In this regard, LanguageCert summarises this level into the following competences:

• Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance such as basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment, education, training, and social roles.
• Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information, feelings, and opinions on familiar and routine matters.
• Can engage in conversations to establish a shared understanding on familiar topics.
• Can read, understand, and obtain information from short documents, familiar sources, signs, and symbols.
• Can write to communicate with some awareness of the intended audience.

In short, if you manage to pass the LanguageCert A2 Access, it means you have an internationally recognised certification of an elementary level of English. Notice how key words referring to this level are always present: simple and routine situations, basic information, familiar topics, short documents, etc. That is, this level allows you to manage in everyday and predictable situations, although it is not yet sufficient for complex work environments or higher education in English.

A2 Access: Exams and Modalities

Exams

Like the other levels certified by LanguageCert International ESOL, A2 Access consists of 2 exams. And each exam is a certification in itself:

• Written Exam: Evaluates Listening, Reading, and Writing.
• Spoken Exam: Evaluates Speaking.

Modalities

One of the particularities of LanguageCert is the fact that it offers three modalities (or options) for taking the International ESOL exams. Therefore, A2 Access can be done in the following ways:

• In-person: at an exam centre (usually an academy)
  • Computer-based
  • Paper-based
• Online: from home

And the important thing about this is that in all cases, the candidate is being proctored by a person to ensure the security and validity of the results. 🙂

What Parts Does the LanguageCert A2 Access Have

Below, I present all the parts of the LanguageCert A2 Access. Bear in mind that I am going to describe all the parts together, but you must remember that the Speaking is done separately.

In summary, the LanguageCert A2 Access exam is organised as follows:

• Listening: 4 activities (26 questions)
• Reading: 4 activities (26 questions)
• Writing: 2 activities (2 tasks)
• Speaking: 4 activities

Let’s move on to look at each part of the exam itself.

A2 Access: Listening

• Tasks: 4 activities
• No. of items: 26 questions
• Duration: 20 minutes

Candidates must demonstrate that they understand simple messages in audio format such as basic conversations, personal information, simple instructions, short descriptions, announcements, etc.

The A2 Access Listening is divided into the following parts:

Part 1

• No. of questions: 7
• Description: 7 short sentences are heard twice. Each sentence must be matched with images, numbers, spellings, plans, maps, etc. Each item contains two pieces of information. For each sentence, the correct answer (A, B, or C) must be chosen.

Part 2

• No. of questions: 7
• Description: 7 short sentences are heard twice. The best response (A, B, or C) to each sentence just heard must be chosen. One of the responses is formal.

Part 3

• No. of questions: 6
• Description: 6 short conversations with two speakers each are heard twice. The topic, context, purpose, speakers, general idea, relationship between the speakers, functions, attitudes, feelings, and opinions must be identified. For each conversation, the best option (A, B, or C) must be chosen.

Part 4

• No. of questions: 6
• Description: A message, announcement, etc., is heard twice to identify specific information. There is a note or message box with 6 headings and space to write the correct information for each heading.

A2 Access: Reading

• Tasks: 4 activities
• No. of items: 26 questions
• Duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes (taken together with Writing, without a break)

In this part of the A2 Access, candidates have to demonstrate that they can understand short and simple texts from notices, posters, signs, messages, cards, forms, short letters, etc.

The A2 Access Reading is divided into the following parts:

Part 1

• No. of questions: 6
• Description: 6 short texts (for example, a list, label, address, notice) are read, each with a gap that examines vocabulary, elements of cohesion and coherence, grammatical structures, etc. For each gap, the correct answer (A, B, or C) must be chosen.

Part 2

• No. of questions: 6
• Description: A text with 6 gaps must be read and completed with the correct options (A – G). There is always one extra option that should not be used.

Part 3

• No. of questions: 7
• Description: There are 4 short texts (for example, a notice, letter, appointment card) with a common theme but different purposes. There are 7 questions and the correct text (A, B, C, or D) where the answer to each question is found must be chosen.

Part 4

• No. of questions: 7
• Description: A continuous text (narrative, descriptive, explanatory, or expository) is read and 7 multiple-choice questions (A, B, or C) about the text must be answered.

A2 Access: Writing

• Tasks: 2 Writing activities
• Duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes (taken together with Reading, without a break)

In the A2 Access Writing, candidates have to perform 2 Writing tasks of similar length, always responding and adjusting to a series of previous instructions.

Part 1

• Length: 30 – 50 words
• Description: Instructions are given to write a response to a letter, message, email, greeting card, postcard, etc. The text includes three questions, suggestions, or requests, etc. A simple text must be written to respond informally.

Part 2

• Length: 30 – 50 words
• Description: Instructions are given to write for a particular reader in a specific way, for example, a letter, message, note, etc. Three content elements must be included. A neutral text must be written for a specific audience.

A2 Access: Speaking

• Tasks: 4 parts
• Duration: 6 minutes

The LanguageCert A2 Access Speaking exam is individual, unlike Cambridge exams, and is done face-to-face with an interlocutor (even in the online version). One of the particularities of this exam is that the interlocutor is only in charge of conducting the exam, not evaluating it. It is recorded and sent to be evaluated by qualified examiners.

The A2 Access Speaking exam is divided into the following parts:

Part 1

In this part, at the beginning of the exam, the candidate has to:

• Say their name and spell it.
• Say their country of origin.
• Respond to 5 questions.

Part 2

The interlocutor presents 2 or 3 situations to which the candidate must respond and initiate interactions. Brief and simple exchanges using basic functional language are expected. The candidate must communicate appropriately in real-life situations using a variety of functional language.

Part 3

Consists of exchanging information to identify similarities and differences in images showing familiar situations. The candidate must give and ask for information in a simple way to complete a simple task.

Part 4

The candidate has to talk about a topic provided by the interlocutor. They must speak for 1 minute, having 30 seconds to think about their response. In addition, they must answer a series of follow-up questions that the interlocutor will ask after finishing the monologue. The goal is to demonstrate the ability to use sentences and produce a piece of connected spoken English.

LanguageCert A2 Access Exams in PDF

Now that we know all the parts and tasks of this certification, I’ll leave you with some LanguageCert A2 Access exams in PDF to download. I hope you find them very useful!

• A2 Access Sample Answer Sheet PDF
• LanguageCert A2 Access Sample Test PDF 1
• LanguageCert A2 Access Sample Test PDF 2
• LanguageCert A2 Access Sample Test PDF 3
• LanguageCert A2 Access Sample Test PDF 4

Duration of the A2 Access Exam

The total duration of the LanguageCert A2 Access exam depends on whether you take only the Written Exam, only the Spoken Exam, or both. Below I detail the duration of each part:

• Listening: approximately 20 minutes
• Reading & Writing: 1 hour and 20 minutes (without a break between the two parts)
• Speaking: 6 minutes

Therefore, if you take the complete Written Exam, you will be at the exam centre for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. If you also take the Speaking, you will have to add 6 more minutes, although you should bear in mind that the Speaking can be done on a different day from the Written Exam.

Price of LanguageCert A2 Access

Below are the official prices for the LanguageCert A2 Access according to the information published on their official website in February 2026. Remember that these prices may vary, so I recommend you check them directly on the LanguageCert website or contact me to confirm the updated rates.

Important note: There are two exams available at this level: Written and Spoken. Both exams can be taken together or independently.

How the LanguageCert A2 Access is Evaluated

In general, it is quite simple to calculate the score for the LanguageCert A2 Access, and it is the same as in the rest of the LanguageCert International ESOL exams. But first, let’s present the score for each part:

Evaluation of the Written Exam (Listening, Reading, and Writing)

• Listening: 26 points (1 question = 1 point)
• Reading: 26 points (1 question = 1 point)
• Writing: 24 points (1 activity = 12 points)

The Writing is evaluated according to four criteria aligned with the CEFR descriptors:

• Task Fulfilment: Measures to what extent the candidate has completed/addressed the task and if the candidate has done what was asked.
• Accuracy and Range of Grammar: Measures the range, appropriateness, and accuracy of grammar.
• Accuracy and Range of Vocabulary: Measures the range, accuracy, and appropriateness of vocabulary, as well as spelling accuracy.
• Organisation: Measures how ideas are coherently linked in the text and how accurate the punctuation is.

Evaluation of the Spoken Exam (Speaking)

• Speaking: 12 points (overall)

ESOL oral exams are evaluated according to the following four criteria:

• Task Fulfilment and Coherence: The ability to manage tasks appropriately for the level and link expressions into coherent speech.
• Accuracy and Range of Grammar: The ability to vary and demonstrate control of grammatical structures according to the task.
• Accuracy and Range of Vocabulary: The ability to vary and demonstrate control of lexis and register according to the task.
• Pronunciation, Intonation and Fluency: The ability to produce the sounds of English to be understood with appropriate stress and intonation and maintain the flow of speech.

Each of the four parts of the exam is given equal importance. Candidates receive a score from 0 to 3 for each of the four criteria, so the maximum raw scores they can obtain in the four parts of the exam are 12.

Marking Scale

Next, each score obtained must be equated to 50 points. For example:

• Listening: 20 points → We calculate 20/26×50 = 38 points (approximately).
• Reading: 18 points → We calculate 18/26×50 = 35 points (approximately).
• Writing: 16 points → We calculate 16/24×50 = 33 points (approximately).
• Speaking: 9 points → We calculate 9/12×50 = 37 points (approximately).

And now we add everything up for each exam. Remember we have Written (Listening, Reading, and Writing) and Spoken (Speaking).

• Written: 38 (L) + 35 (R) + 33 (W) = 106 points
• Spoken: 37 points

And finally we compare it to the LanguageCert scale, valid for all levels:

Written Exam:

• Fail: 0 – 74 points
• Pass: 75 – 100 points
• High Pass: 101 – 150 points

Spoken Exam:

• Fail: 0 – 24 points
• Pass: 25 – 37 points
• High Pass: 38 – 50 points

According to this, we will have obtained the following result in the A2 Access:

• Written Exam: High Pass
• Spoken: Pass

A2 Access Results and Certificates

Once you have taken your LanguageCert A2 Access exam, you will receive your results and certificates as follows:

• Statement of Result (SoR) and e-certificate sent by email or through the exam centre.
• 3 business days for online exams with live remote proctoring.
• 5 business days for computer-based exams.
• 10 business days for paper-based exams.
• Digital badges available in 10 business days and sent by email.
• Hard-copy certificates sent to the candidate or the exam centre shortly after results are released.

It is important to highlight that LanguageCert certificates do not have an expiry date, although some institutions may require the certificate to have a specific maximum age.

More Information

If you need more information, I recommend that you leave me a comment. I will reply as soon as possible, I promise. In addition, I recommend that you read the candidate information available on the official LanguageCert website.

And until the next article, don’t forget to keep smiling!