A2 Key for Schools, formerly known as 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.
Exam updates 2020
To make sure our exams are up to date with the latest research in language learning and teaching, we update them regularly. The revision of A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools is now complete and the updated exam started being used for exam sessions from January 2020.
You can find out more about the changes, including information on preparation materials, on the dedicated A2 Key and B1 Preliminary 2020 update website. You can also sign up to receive information and updates about the changes to the exams.
Test format from January 2020
Here are the main changes to the A2 Key for Schools exam from January 2020:
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The exam will be 10 minutes shorter, but it still covers all the same language skills and tests at the same level as the current version.
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There are new or revised tasks in each of the papers.
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The way grades are reported has been updated – candidates will now receive a grade of A, B, or C.
The same as before, A2 Key for Schools is made up of three papers developed to encourage and motivate young learners. However, there are some changes that you can realize by looking at each paper below.
Speaking
(8-10 minutes per pair of candidates)
2 parts
25% of the total marks
Reading and Writing
(1 hour)
7 parts/ 32 questions
50% of the total marks
Listening
(30 minutes, 8 minutes' transfer time)
5 parts/ 25 questions
25% of the total marks