14.1 Interpreting Your Statement of Results

Cambridge A2 Key KET

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 What Is Cambridge A2 Key (KET)? 1.2 Exam Format: Three Papers 1.3 Who Takes A2 Key and How It Is Delivered 1.4 Study Hours and Preparation Path

2 Scoring, Grades & Results

2.1 The Cambridge English Scale 2.2 Grades A, B, C and Certificates 2.3 How Your Overall Score Is Calculated

3 Reading Parts 1–3: Understanding Texts

3.1 Reading Overview (Parts 1–5) 3.2 Reading Part 1: Short Texts and Main Message 3.3 Reading Part 2: Multiple Matching 3.4 Reading Part 3: Longer Text Detail and Gist

4 Reading Parts 4–5: Vocabulary and Grammar Cloze

4.1 Reading Part 4: Multiple-Choice Cloze 4.2 Collocations and Phrasal Verbs for Part 4 4.3 Reading Part 5: Open Cloze 4.4 Grammar Words for Open Cloze

5 Writing Part 6: Guided Message

5.1 Writing Overview (Parts 6–7) 5.2 Part 6 Guided Writing Task 5.3 Model Emails and Content-Point Checklists

6 Writing Part 7 & Assessment Criteria

6.1 Part 7 Picture Story 6.2 Narrative Language and Connectors 6.3 Writing Assessment: Content, Organisation, Language

7 Listening Parts 1–3

7.1 Listening Paper Overview 7.2 Listening Part 1: Short Dialogues and Pictures 7.3 Listening Part 2: Gap Fill Notes 7.4 Listening Part 3: Conversation Multiple Choice

8 Listening Parts 4–5 & Detail Skills

8.1 Listening Part 4: Gist and Main Message 8.2 Listening Part 5: Matching 8.3 Numbers, Times, Prices and Spelling

9 Speaking Test

9.1 Speaking Test Format 9.2 Speaking Part 1: Interview 9.3 Speaking Part 2: Discussion 9.4 Speaking Assessment Criteria

10 A2 Grammar Essentials

10.1 Present and Past Tenses 10.2 Future Forms, Modals and Obligation 10.3 Comparatives, Superlatives, Adverbs and Word Order 10.4 Questions, Negatives and There Is/Are

11 A2 Vocabulary Topics

11.1 People, Home and Daily Routines 11.2 Free Time, Hobbies, Travel and Transport 11.3 Food, Shopping, Money and Health 11.4 Places in Town, Services and Simple Technology

12 Functional Language for Exam Tasks

12.1 Requests, Offers, Invitations and Suggestions 12.2 Opinions, Agreeing, Disagreeing and Preferences 12.3 Describing People, Places and Events; Simple Narration

13 Exam Day and Test Strategy

13.1 Digital vs Paper-Based and the 2026 Change 13.2 What Happens on Exam Day 13.3 Full Practice Tests and Timing Plans

14 Results and Next Steps

14.1 Interpreting Your Statement of Results 14.2 From A2 Key to B1 Preliminary

14.1 Interpreting Your Statement of Results

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

Every A2 Key candidate receives a Statement of Results (SoR) showing overall score, CEFR level, grade, and four skill scores on the Cambridge English Scale

Digital SoR is typically available about 1–2 weeks after the exam; paper-based SoR is usually about 4–6 weeks

Certificates arrive later than the SoR—roughly about 3–4 weeks (digital route) or about 7–9 weeks (paper route) from the exam, depending on centre and session

The four skill scores (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) are equally weighted; the overall score is their average

Use the weakest skill score first to plan targeted practice—do not only retake full mocks without a skill focus

Last updated: July 2026

What You Receive After A2 Key

Quick Answer: After Cambridge A2 Key, you get a Statement of Results (SoR) first, then a certificate later if you meet the conditions for certification. The SoR reports your overall Cambridge English Scale score , your CEFR level , your grade (A, B, or C when you pass at A2 or above), and four skill scores : Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

Cambridge does not treat A2 Key as a single “pass/fail percentage” on a school-style answer sheet. Your performance is converted onto the Cambridge English Scale . For A2 Key, the band that matters for most decisions is 100–150 . That scale score is what teachers, schools, and employers can compare across sessions and across Cambridge exams.

You should expect two different documents on two different timelines :

Statement of Results (SoR) — the detailed score report you use for study decisions, school placement talks, and understanding strengths/weaknesses.

Certificate — the formal qualification document (when awarded) that arrives after the SoR, once Cambridge and your centre complete the certification process.

If your overall performance is below the A2 pass band but still within the reported A2 Key range, you may still receive recognition at CEFR A1 (typically when the overall scale score is 100–119 ). Always read the SoR text and the skill profile carefully rather than assuming “no certificate” means “no useful score.”

The Main Numbers on Your Statement of Results
Overall score (Cambridge English Scale)

Your overall score is a single number on the Cambridge English Scale. For A2 Key decisions, remember these bands:

Overall scale score Typical outcome What it means in plain English
140–150 Grade A Strong pass; performance maps to B1 on the scale range for this exam
133–139 Grade B Strong A2 pass
120–132 Grade C Pass at CEFR A2
100–119 A1 certificate outcome (when awarded) Below A2 pass, but shows A1 ability

Below the reported useful range for the exam No A2/A1 certificate at the A2 Key standard Review skills and retake after targeted practice

These bands match how Cambridge reports A2 Key: 120 is the usual threshold people treat as the A2 pass line for Grades C–B, while 140+ is Grade A and signals B1-level performance on this qualification’s scale.

The overall score is not “total marks correct ÷ total marks × 100.” It is produced from your skill scale scores . In practice, treat overall as the average of the four skills —Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking—each equally important.

CEFR level on the SoR

The SoR also indicates the CEFR level associated with your overall performance. CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) is the international ladder A1 → A2 → B1 → B2 → C1 → C2.

For A2 Key candidates:

A2 is the target level of the exam (typically overall 120–139 ).

B1 can appear for Grade A candidates (overall 140–150 ), even though the exam you sat was A2 Key.

A1 can appear for candidates in the 100–119 band when that outcome is awarded.

CEFR on the SoR is useful when a school or employer asks “What level are you?” in international terms. Grade letters (A/B/C) are Cambridge’s grade labels for this exam; CEFR is the wider level language.

Grade (A, B, or C)

When you pass at A2 or above, Cambridge reports a grade :

Grade Scale band How to read it for next steps
A 140–150 Excellent result; strong signal you can start a serious B1 Preliminary path
B 133–139 Secure A2; consolidate weak skills, then bridge to B1
C 120–132 Solid A2 pass; protect the pass with continued practice, then raise weaker skills

A Grade C is still a real A2 qualification. Do not treat Grade C as “almost failed.” It means you met the A2 standard. Grade B means you are comfortably inside A2. Grade A means your scale score has moved into the B1 reporting range for this exam.

Four skill scores: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking

Under the overall score, the SoR breaks performance into four skills :

Skill Where it comes from in the exam Weight in overall
Reading Reading tasks in the Reading & Writing paper (Parts 1–5) 25%
Writing Writing tasks in the Reading & Writing paper (Parts 6–7) 25%
Listening Listening paper (Parts 1–5) 25%
Speaking Speaking test (Parts 1–2, criteria-based) 25%

Important teaching points candidates often miss:

Reading and Writing share one paper and 60 minutes , but they produce two separate skill scores .

Because Reading and Writing each count 25%, that paper effectively drives half of your overall result.

Listening and Speaking each count 25% as well—there is no “optional” skill for the average.

Cambridge does not normally require a separate minimum pass in every skill for the overall grade in the simple way some school tests do. A low skill can still pull the average down. That is why a 145 Reading and a 105 Writing can still create a weaker overall than a balanced profile.

Each skill score is also reported on the Cambridge English Scale. Read them as a profile , not as decoration.

Example Score Profiles (How to Read Them)
Profile 1 — Balanced A2 pass (Grade C)

Component Score
Reading 124
Writing 122
Listening 126
Speaking 120
Overall (average) about 123 → Grade C, CEFR A2

Study message: You passed. Keep all four skills active, but notice Speaking is the softest number. Add short daily speaking routines (Part 1 personal questions + Part 2 discussion phrases) so a retake or B1 bridge does not stall on speaking confidence.

Profile 2 — Strong Listening/Speaking, weaker Writing

Component Score
Reading 130
Writing 112
Listening 136
Speaking 134
Overall about 128 → still A2 if overall stays ≥120, but Writing is a clear gap

Study message: Do not celebrate only the high Listening score. Writing at 112 is below the A2 band. Prioritise Part 6 content points and Part 7 story structure, plus Language (accuracy of simple tenses, connectors, and spelling of high-frequency words).

Profile 3 — Grade A signal for B1 readiness

Component Score
Reading 142
Writing 140
Listening 144
Speaking 141
Overall about 142 → Grade A, CEFR B1 reporting for this exam

Study message: This is a strong “ready to start B1 Preliminary prep” profile. Begin longer reading texts, more extended writing, and B1-style listening/speaking tasks while the habits from A2 Key are still fresh.

When Results and Certificates Arrive

Timelines vary by centre, exam session, and whether you took digital or paper A2 Key. Use these as planning ranges candidates commonly work with—not as a promise for one specific test date.

Statement of Results timing

Format Typical SoR availability after the exam
Digital A2 Key About 1–2 weeks
Paper-based A2 Key About 4–6 weeks

Digital sessions usually release results faster because scripts and computer-based processing move more quickly. Paper sessions need marking and administrative steps that take longer.

Practical advice:

Ask your centre for the exact results-release information for your session.

Check the results channel your centre used when you registered (online results service / centre communication).

Do not assume a friend who sat a different format will get results on the same day as you.

Certificate timing

The certificate arrives later than the SoR. As a planning guide many candidates use:

Format / route Approximate certificate timing after the exam
Digital route About 3–4 weeks
Paper route About 7–9 weeks

These certificate windows are longer than SoR windows because certificate production and centre distribution come after results are confirmed. A gap between “I can already see my scores” and “I hold the paper certificate” is normal.

If you need a certificate for a school application, visa-related English evidence, or a workplace deadline, plan backward from the deadline: exam date → SoR → certificate. Do not book the exam one week before a hard document deadline unless your centre has confirmed an exceptional timeline.

How to Use Weaker Skill Scores to Plan Next Study

The SoR’s greatest study value is the skill profile . After results day, complete this short diagnostic loop:

Step 1 — Rank the four skill scores

Write them from lowest to highest. Your lowest skill is first priority unless two skills are almost equal and both sit below 120.

Step 2 — Map each weak skill to concrete tasks

Weak skill Highest-value practice

Reading Parts 1–3 message/detail work; Part 4 collocations; Part 5 grammar words (articles, prepositions, pronouns, auxiliaries)

Writing Part 6 all content points + clear organisation; Part 7 three-picture story with past tenses and sequence words; check Content / Organisation / Language criteria

Listening Numbers/times/prices; Part 2 gap-fill spelling; Part 4 gist; Part 5 matching; always use full recordings heard twice in mocks

Speaking Part 1 extended answers (not one-word replies); Part 2 interactive phrases (agree, suggest, ask partner); pronunciation of endings and word stress

Step 3 — Build a two-week repair block

Example if Writing is lowest:

Days 1–3: Three Part 6 emails/notes with a content-point checklist before you write.

Days 4–6: Three Part 7 picture stories using past simple + sequence words ( first, then, after that, finally ).

Days 7–10: Rewrite earlier scripts after self-check for articles, verb forms, and connectors.

Days 11–14: One mixed mock paper, but score Writing against the three criteria first, then check other skills.

Step 4 — Decide: retake A2 Key, or move toward B1?

Use overall + profile, not hope:

Overall / profile Sensible next step

Overall 120–132 , one skill clearly weak Targeted repair 3–6 weeks, then either hold certificate and continue learning or retake if you need a stronger score for a school/employer

Overall 133–139 , balanced skills Begin light B1 bridge work while maintaining A2 accuracy
Overall 140–150 (Grade A) Strong readiness signal for B1 Preliminary prep
Overall 100–119 Focus on A2 foundations; do not jump to B1 exam dates yet

One skill far below the others (for example 105 vs 135s) Skill-specific intensive work before any new exam booking

Step 5 — Avoid common results traps

Trap Better action
“I only look at Grade letter.” Read skill scores first; they drive the next study plan
“Listening was high, so I ignore Listening practice.” High skills need maintenance (one short task a week)

“I will retake immediately with no plan.” Wait for the skill repair block; a blind retake often repeats the same weak skill

“Certificate delay means I failed.” Certificate after SoR is normal; trust the SoR numbers

“Digital and paper use different grade meanings.” Grade bands on the scale mean the same; format mainly changes timing and delivery

Results Day Checklist

Record overall score , grade/CEFR , and all four skill scores in one place.

Circle any skill below 120 or more than about 10–15 points below your strongest skill.

Note SoR date and expected certificate window for your format.

Choose one 2–4 week focus skill with a task list from the table above.

Only then decide on retake, school submission, or B1 Preliminary start date.

If you can explain your SoR in one minute—“My overall is X, Grade Y, weakest skill is Writing at Z, so my next two weeks are Part 6/7”—you have interpreted the document correctly and turned results into a study plan.