A2 Key

Exams and tests
- A2 Key

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

Exams for visas and immigration in the UK

The Home Office is changing the way they accept our exams.

Find out more

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, formerly known as Cambridge English: Key (KET), is one of our Cambridge English Qualifications. This basic-level qualification is a great exam to take if you're new to learning English.

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An A2 Key qualification is proof of your ability to use English to communicate in simple situations.

The exam tests all four English language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking.

It should give you the confidence to go on and study for higher-level exams such as B1 Preliminary and B2 First.

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 certificate shows that you can:

understand and use basic phrases and expressions
understand simple written English
introduce yourself and answer basic questions about yourself
interact with English speakers at a basic level.

Reasons to choose A2 Key:

Gain a valuable qualification that is accepted worldwide.
Improve your work, study and travel prospects.
Show that you have the basic language skills you need to communicate in English.

I started off with A2 Key and progressed through all of the exams, finishing with C2 Proficiency. When you learn a language it’s very important that it’s structured. The exams offer you a step-by-step approach.

Patrick Fryzlewicz
Trainee doctor

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