A2 KEY EXAM
Level: Elementary
The Key English Test is the easiest of the Cambridge exams.
Who is it for?
Do this test if you want to know your studies have started well and you have a basic knowledge of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
What is tKEY A2 test like?
The test has three sections:
- Reading & Writing - 60 minutes Shows you can understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines.
- Listening - 30 minutes including 6 minutes transfer time. 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. Shows you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Your speaking test will be conducted face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable.
There are two versions of the KEY test:
- KEY
- KEY English for schools.
Both versions have the same type of questions. The KEY for schools test has content of interest to school-age learners.
Score
The Reading and Writing paper counts for 50% of your marks, and the Listening and Speaking papers each count for 25% of your marks. You will receive a separate score for each of the three papers. These three scores are averaged to give you an overall result for the exam.
You will receive a Statement of Results.
140–150 = Grade A = B1
133–139 = Grade B = A2
120–132 = Grade C = A2
100–119 = Level A1
Level
A2 / B1 / elementary / low intermediate.
What is in the reading paper?
The A2 Key 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-word 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 each correct answer.
Part 6 (Guided writing)
What do candidates have to do? Write 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.
Useful activities to practice. Click here.
Reading is a good way to learn vocabulary and to reinforce grammar structures.
Applying for a job. Writing activity. Click here.
Writing about my family. Writing activity. Click here.
Introducing yourself by email. Writing activity. Click here.
Introducing yourself on a blog. Writing activity. Click here.
A chat. Writing activity. Click here.
A postcard from New York. Click here.
A recipe. Writing Activity. Click here.
Film Review. Writing activity. Click here.
Summer jobs. Writing activity. Click here.
Summer jobs. Writing Activity. Click here.