Study guide
1.1 A2 Key for Schools Structure & Test Delivery
Cambridge English A2 Key for Schools KET for Schools
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1 Chapter 1: Exam Structure, Formats & the Cambridge English Scale
1.1 A2 Key for Schools Structure & Test Delivery 1.2 Cambridge English Scale Scoring & Results 1.3 Study Planning, Guided Learning Hours & Test Day Logistics
2 Chapter 2: Reading Comprehension – Notices, Matching & Articles (Parts 1–3)
2.1 Reading Part 1: Notices, Signs, Text Messages & Main Ideas 2.2 Reading Part 2: Multiple Matching Across Teen Profiles 2.3 Reading Part 3: Long Text Comprehension, Detail & Opinion
3 Chapter 3: Reading Paper – Use of English & Cloze Tasks (Parts 4 & 5)
3.1 Reading Part 4: Multiple-Choice Vocabulary Cloze & Lexical Sets 3.2 Reading Part 5: Open Cloze Structural Grammar & Function Words 3.3 Cloze Task Strategies, Collocations & Distractor Traps
4 Chapter 4: Writing Paper – Functional Emails & Picture Stories (Parts 6 & 7)
4.1 Writing Part 6: Guided Short Messages & Emails 4.2 Writing Part 7: Picture Story Narratives 4.3 Cambridge Writing Assessment Criteria & Error Prevention
5 Chapter 5: Listening Paper – Key Facts, Notes & Dialogues (Parts 1 to 5)
5.1 Listening Part 1: Short Dialogues & Factual Details 5.2 Listening Part 2: Monologue Note-Taking 5.3 Listening Part 3: Informal Conversations, Details & Opinions 5.4 Listening Part 4: Short Recordings for Gist, Purpose & Attitude 5.5 Listening Part 5: Conversation Matching & Distractor Elimination
6 Chapter 6: Speaking Paper – Personal Interview & Picture Discussion (Parts 1 & 2)
6.1 Speaking Part 1: Personal Facts, Routines & Extended Responses 6.2 Speaking Part 2: Picture-Prompt Discussion & Follow-up Questions 6.3 Speaking Assessment Scales & Test-Day Communication Strategies
7 Chapter 7: Essential A2 Grammar, Vocabulary & Functional Language
7.1 High-Frequency A2 Grammar Structures & Usage 7.2 Core Lexical Domains for School-Age Learners 7.3 Connectors, Prepositions & High-Frequency Collocations 7.4 Functional Language: Requests, Offers, Opinions & Everyday Exchanges
1.1 A2 Key for Schools Structure & Test Delivery
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
A2 Key for Schools assesses elementary English proficiency at CEFR Level A2 across three papers: Reading and Writing (60 minutes, 50% weighting), Listening (~30 minutes, 25% weighting), and Speaking (8–10 minutes per pair, 25% weighting).
Reading and Writing comprises 7 parts with 32 questions total, where Parts 1–5 evaluate reading comprehension and functional grammar, while Parts 6–7 assess productive written communication (email and picture story).
The examination is available in both paper-based and digital formats in 2026, offering identical task types, scoring criteria, and CEFR standards.
Digital candidates listen through headphones with adjustable volume, type answers on screen and get 2 minutes to check Listening answers; paper candidates use a pencil answer sheet and get 6 minutes to transfer Listening answers.
A2 Key for Schools uses the same format, scoring and certificate as A2 Key, but Cambridge tailors its texts and tasks to the interests and experience of school-age learners.
Last updated: September 2026
1.1 A2 Key for Schools Structure & Test Delivery
The Cambridge A2 Key for Schools examination is an elementary English qualification designed for school-age learners. Cambridge describes the 'for Schools' content as tailored to the interests and experiences of teenagers, while A2 Key uses the same format for adults. The examination assesses communicative competence at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) . At Level A2, students understand basic notices, follow simple conversations, communicate during routine interactions, and write short messages. ExamFinch provides this independent study guide to support candidates, parents, and teachers with structured test preparation.
A2 Key for Schools consists of three papers: Reading and Writing , Listening , and Speaking . While assessing the same language competencies as standard A2 Key, the 'for Schools' variant targets topics familiar to secondary pupils, including school subjects, hobbies, family, holidays, and sports.
Component Breakdown
The examination assesses four language skills across three testing components. Although Reading and Writing are taken together in one 60-minute session, they represent distinct skills and are reported separately on the Cambridge English Scale. Cambridge's handbook gives a total test time of about 1 hour 40 minutes (its overview page rounds the whole exam to "about 2 hours"), and the Speaking test is usually held on a different day from the written papers.
Component Paper Duration Overall Weighting Structure Questions / Tasks Core Assessment Focus
Reading and Writing 60 minutes 50% total (25% Reading, 25% Writing) 7 parts 32 questions / tasks Notices, matching, comprehension, cloze tasks, email, and story
Listening Approx. 30 minutes 25% total 5 parts 25 questions Visual dialogues, monologue gap-fill, conversations, and matching
Speaking 8–10 minutes per pair (13–15 minutes for a group of three) 25% total 2 parts 2 interactive tasks Personal interview, collaborative discussion, and follow-up questions
- Detailed Review of Papers
- Paper 1: Reading and Writing (60 Minutes)
The Reading and Writing paper accounts for 50% of the total exam weighting and comprises 7 parts with 32 questions:
Part 1: Short Real-World Texts (6 questions): Read six notices, signs, messages, or emails and answer a 3-option multiple-choice question per text.
Part 2: Multiple Matching (7 questions): Read seven questions and three short texts on the same topic (in Cambridge's sample, three pupils describe their class garden) and match each question to the correct text.
Part 3: Longer Text Comprehension (5 questions): Read one longer text, such as a simplified magazine article or a young person's account of their first week at a new school, and answer five 3-option multiple-choice questions on main ideas and details.
Part 4: Multiple-Choice Cloze (6 questions): Choose the correct word from three options for six gaps in a short factual text. The main focus is vocabulary, with a small amount of grammar.
Part 5: Open Cloze (6 questions): Fill six gaps in an email (and sometimes the reply) with one word per gap, spelled correctly. Most answers are grammar words such as pronouns, prepositions, determiners and auxiliary verbs.
Part 6: Guided Writing – Short Message (1 task): Write an email or note of 25+ words responding to three explicit bullet prompts.
Part 7: Picture Story Writing (1 task): Write a narrative story of 35+ words based on three sequential cartoon images, using past tenses and linking words.
Paper 2: Listening (Approx. 30 Minutes)
The Listening paper assesses how candidates identify key facts and follow spoken details. Every recording is heard twice , and the recordings use a range of standard native-speaker accents:
Part 1 (5 questions): Five short dialogues. Candidates select the correct answer from three visual options (prices, times, numbers, activities).
Part 2 (5 questions): A spoken monologue. Candidates complete five gaps in notes with names, dates, times, or prices heard on the recording.
Part 3 (5 questions): An informal conversation between friends with five 3-option multiple-choice questions on details and opinions.
Part 4 (5 questions): Five short monologues or dialogues with one 3-option question each, testing gist or feeling.
Part 5 (5 questions): A longer conversation between two people who know each other. Candidates match five people or items to a list of eight options from the same lexical set (for example, jobs at a school fashion show).
Paper 3: Speaking (8–10 Minutes per Pair)
The Speaking test evaluates oral communication in a structured setting. Candidates usually take the test in pairs (occasionally in a group of three) with two examiners: the interlocutor , who talks to the candidates and may be examining remotely online, and the assessor , who listens and marks:
Part 1 (3–4 minutes): The interlocutor interviews each candidate about personal facts, daily routines, school, and hobbies, concluding with an extended response.
Part 2 (5–6 minutes): Candidates discuss five visual picture prompts together for 1–2 minutes, giving reasons, followed by interlocutor follow-up questions.
Delivery Formats: Paper-Based vs. Digital in 2026
A2 Key for Schools is offered in both paper-based and digital formats. Both evaluate identical skills and award the same Cambridge certificate, but feature distinct delivery mechanics.
Operational Feature Paper-Based Format Digital (Computer-Based) Format
Test Environment Examination desks with printed test booklets Individual computer workstation with monitor and keyboard
Audio Delivery Room sound system; raise your hand at once if you cannot hear Individual headphones; volume can be changed at any time
Listening Transfer Time Exactly 6 minutes at the end to transfer notes to answer sheet 2 minutes to review answers on screen; answers are entered during audio
Writing Input & Editing Handwritten on the answer sheet; you count your own words Typed answers with an automatic word count; copy, paste and edit freely, but there is no spell-checker
Navigation & Tools Turning paper pages; underlining on the question paper Highlighting and on-screen notes, adjustable text size and contrast, and grey markers on unanswered questions
Time Monitoring Room clock and invigilator announcements On-screen timer that shows seconds in the last 5 minutes and turns red when 1 minute is left
- Results Release Normally 4 to 6 weeks after the exam session 5 to 10 working days after the exam session
- School-Age Contexts and Content Themes
The exam uses contexts tailored to the lives and interests of school-age learners. Cambridge's official topic list includes school and study, hobbies and leisure, sport, house and home, travel and holidays, food and drink, and shopping:
School & Studies: Subjects, classrooms, homework, school trips, and clubs.
Hobbies & Leisure: Music, reading, video games, drawing, and cinema.
Sports & Health: Ball games, swimming, athletics, and active play.
Home & Family: Rooms, household pets, chores, parents, and siblings.
Town & Travel: Directions, public transport, shops, and holiday travel.
Food & Drink: School lunches, favorite meals, cooking, and snacks.
Friends & Social Life: Birthday parties, weekend outings, and clothes.