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 for Schools is now complete and the updated exam will start being used for exam sessions in January 2020.
At a glance – what’s new?
Here are the main changes to the A2 Key for Schools exam from January 2020:
- 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.
- There are new or revised tasks in each of the papers.
- The way grades are reported has been updated – candidates will now receive a grade of A, B, or C.
Exam format in detail
A2 Key for Schools is made up of three papers developed to test your English skills. You can see exactly what is in each paper below.
| Paper |
Content |
Marks
(% of total) |
Purpose |
Reading and Writing
(1 hour) |
7 parts/
32 questions |
50% |
Shows you can understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. |
Listening
(30 minutes, including 8 minutes' transfer time) |
5 parts/
25 questions |
25% |
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) |
2 parts |
25% |
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. |