Cambridge Assessment English: A2 Key
A great first step in learning English
A2 Key, formerly known as Cambridge English: Key (KET), is a basic-level qualification and is a great exam to take if you're new to learning English. An A2 Key qualification is proof of your ability to use English to communicate in simple situations and It should give you the confidence to go on and study for higher-level exams such as B1 Preliminary and B2 First.

 A2 Key FAQs
IMPORTANT
Paper-based A2 Key will be withdrawn from June 2026.
There will be two alternatives:
  • A2 Key Digital
  • A2 Key for Schools (both paper-based and Digital)
Paper-based A2 Key exam dates have already been published for 2024 and 2025. In 2026 there will be two sessions, one in May and a final session in June (exact dates to be confirmed).
  • Overview
  • The exam
  • Results
  • Support
  • Registration
An A2 Key qualification 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.






Reliable
Backed by the largest research programme of its kind, Cambridge English exams provide the most reliable reflection of your language skills.


General and
higher education leaflet
Fair
Cambridge English exams cover all major varieties of English and are designed to be fair to users of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds.

A Cambridge English qualification
Once you have earned a Cambridge English certificate, you hold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world.

What does A2 Key involve?
A2 Key is an elementary level assessment of English. It consists of three papers: Reading & Writing, Listening and Speaking. The Speaking test uses a face-to-face test with two candidates and two assessors. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your ability to use English to communicate.

A2 Key has three papers:

Reading & Writing: 1 hour
The A2 Key Reading & Writing paper has seven parts and different types of texts and questions. Parts 1-5 are about reading and Parts 6 and 7 are mainly about writing. Candidates are required to show that they can understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. This paper accounts for 50% of the total mark.


Listening: about 30 minutes (+ 6 minutes transfer time)
The A2 Key Listening paper has five parts (25 questions). For each part candidates have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. Each part of the recording is heard twice. Candidates are required to be able to understand announcements and other spoken material when people speak reasonably slowly. There are some regional British accents and occasionally Irish, American or Australian speakers and recordings are delivered clearly at slightly slower than natural speed. This paper accounts for 25% of the total mark.

Speaking: 8-10 minutes per pair of candidates
The A2 Key Speaking has two parts and will be conducted face-to-face with one or two other candidates. This makes your test more realistic and more reliable. There are two examiners. One examiner talks to you and the other examiner just listens. Both examiners decide your grade. Examiners may use their mobile phones for entering marks using an app. The Speaking test accounts for 25% of the total mark.



Exams Owl is our support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their

- Paper based exams - Computer based exams
- Answer keys - Regulations for candidates
- Exam day tips - Practice tests

YOU WILL FIND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED ABOUT EXAM RESULTS AND CERTIFICATES ON OUR
NEW PORTAL...
Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Madrid and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates


Exams Owl is our new support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their results:

- Exam results - Statement of Results
- Checking and verifying results - Certificates
- Enquiries and appeals  - Lost certificates


Useful resources to help you to prepare for your A2 Key exam
ALL THE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT YOU NEED TO PREPARE FOR A2 KEY EXAM ON OUR
NEW PORTAL...
Official support site of Exams Catalunya,Exams Madrid and Exams Balears for Preparation Centres, Teachers and Candidates

Exams Owl is our new support site for candidates, schools and teachers. The site provides comprehensive information on the A2 Key exam structure and content as well as support to help you or your students prepare for their exam and understand their results:

- Sample tests - Speaking test videos
- Candidate information - Preparation resources
- Exam day tips


Are you a private candidate?
It’s easy to register for A2 Key
in just three steps:
Step 1  Find an exam date

You can take the Cambridge English exams most months of the year.
Use our online search to find an exam date.

Step 2  Complete the registration form

You can complete the exam registration form online or come to our offices to register for an exam.

Step 3  Make payment

Payment must be made before the registration deadline. If you register or pay after the deadline a late fee will be applied.
You can choose to pay for your exam via the following payment methods:

  1. By credit/debit card




  2. By bank transfer to any of the following accounts:
    Banco Santander
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0049 4754 89 2516056032
    IBAN: ES9400494754892516056032
    Banco Sabadell
    Account holder: Assessment and Certification Services, S.L.
    Account number: 0081 0053 54 0001180228
    IBAN: ES7300810053540001180228

    IMPORTANT: If you pay for your exam by bank transfer you should clearly state the name and surname/s of the candidate and the level and date of the exam session. All transfers must reach us free of bank charges or interest. Exams Madrid will not be responsible for these charges. You must send us the payment receipt by email to [email protected] so that we may trace your payment with the bank. Your place on the exam will not be confirmed until we receive a payment receipt for the exam fee.

  3. At our offices:
    Registration and payment for exams may also be made at our offices. If candidates choose this option payment should be made on registering. Payment may be made in cash, by bank transfer or credit/debit card.

    Calle de Asura, 40
    2ª planta
    28043 Madrid
    Tel: 911 041 761
    Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

    The candidate may register directly or send someone to register in his/her name.
IMPORTANT: After we receive the exam registration form a confirmation of receipt will be sent to the candidate. Once the exam fees have been settled the candidate will receive confirmation that he/she is registered to take the exam.
If you do not receive confirmation of your exam registration within 3 working days please phone us on tel.: 911 041 761. You should also check that our email has not been sent to your junk/spam mail folder.

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