Cambridge English Key Certificate (KET) preparation, level A2

The Cambridge English: Key (KET) examination is an elementary-level exam that tests your ability to deal with basic written and spoken communications.

KET is the right exam for you if the following criteria apply to you:

• Your first language is not English.
• You have basic English skills.
• You can understand simple written English.
• You can communicate in familiar situations.
• You can understand short notices and simple spoken directions.

Exam Components

KET has three papers – Reading and Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The Reading and Writing paper contributes 50% of the total marks, and the Listening and Speaking papers each contribute 25%.

Reading and Writing (Paper 1)

1 hour 10 minutes

The tasks focus on a number of short texts, including signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. Candidates are assessed on their ability to use a variety of reading strategies to understand the general meaning and to identify appropriate vocabulary, response and words. In addition, candidates have to fill gaps in simple texts, complete a form and write a short note of about 25 words to communicate a given message.

Listening (Paper 2)

approximately 30 minutes

Candidates will need to demonstrate their ability to understand and identify information from a number of recorded texts spoken at a reasonably slow pace, including public announcements, short dialogues, longer conversations and one factual monologue.

Speaking (Paper 3)

up to 10 minutes

Candidates are normally tested in pairs by two locally-based examiners on their ability to interact face-to-face with one of the examiners. They are also assessed on their ability to converse with each other in English, using prompts to ask and answer simple questions of a personal and non-personal nature.