A2 Key for Schools

Exams and tests
- A2 Key for Schools

Our exam names have changed

We've changed the names of our exams to make it easier to understand how to progress from one qualification to the next.

Read about our new exam names

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Who accepts A2 Key?

Here are just a few of the leading organisations that will accept your certificate:

Universidad de Santiago de Chile
Universidad de Salamanca
Agfa-Gevaert
StudyPortals

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.

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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.

Key facts

CEFR level:	A2 What's this?
Scale score:	120–139 What’s this?
Test format:	Computer or paper-based
No. of papers:	3
Exam length:	About 2 hours

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. A2 Key, A2 Key for Schools, B1 Preliminary and B1 Preliminary for Schools have undergone a thorough review to ensure that our exams continue to remain relevant to the needs of schools and learners.

The new exam formats will start being used from January 2020. The changes include:

new and updated tasks across all of the papers
better alignment between the exams, showing clearer progression from one exam to the next
an update to the way that grades are reported, bringing the exams in line with higher level Cambridge English Qualifications
the separation of the Reading and Writing papers in B1 Preliminary and B1 Preliminary for Schools.

You can find out more about the changes, including information on preparation materials, on our dedicated Key and Preliminary 2020 update website. You can also sign up to receive information and updates about the changes to the exams.

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.

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