
Cambridge Assessment English: A2 Key for Schools |
A great first step in learning English A2 Key for Schools is a qualification that shows a pupil can deal with everyday written
and spoken English at an intermediate level.
A2 Key for Schools is specially tailored to suit the interests of
pupils, so it increases their motivation to learn English. Because it is
based on familiar topics and situations, it gives them the confidence
to use their English and inspires them to move on to further
qualifications
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A2 Key for Schools follows exactly the same
format as A2 Key and the level of the question papers is identical.
The only difference is that the content and treatment of topics in
A2 Key for Schools have been particularly
targeted at the interests and experience of school pupils.
A2 Key for Schools FAQs
Important: In 2020 Cambridge Assessment English will be updating A2 Key, A2 Key for Schools, B1 Preliminary and B1 Preliminary for Schools. Click here for more information... |
 | Real-life language skills | |
A2 Key for Schools is set at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Preparing for A2 Key for Schools will give you the practical English skills to:- understand simple written English
- communicate in familiar situations.
- understand short notices and simple spoken directions.
It shows that you are able to communicate at a basic level in English. For example, at A2 level, you can expect to:- understand and use basic phrases and expressions
- introduce yourself and answer basic questions about your personal details
- interact with English speakers who talk slowly and clearly write short, simple notes.
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 | Reliable Backed
by the largest research programme of its kind, Cambridge English exams
provide the most reliable reflection of your language skills.
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 | Choice Choose
when and how you take your exam - A2 Key for Schools is
available as either a paper-based or computer-based exam, allowing you
even more choice over how you take your test.
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 | Fair Cambridge English exams cover all
major varieties of English and are designed to be fair to users of all
nationalities and linguistic backgrounds.
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 | Globally Accepted More
than 3,000 employers, universities and colleges, government departments
and other organisations around the world rely on Cambridge English.
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 | Fast results Get your results in just two weeks with our computer-based exams.
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 | A Cambridge English qualification Once you have earned a Cambridge English certificate, you hold one of the most valuable English qualifications in the world. |
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What does A2 Key for Schools involve?A2 Key for Schools 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 for Schools has three papers: Reading & Writing: 1 hour 10 minutes The A2 Key for Schools Reading & Writing paper has nine parts and different types of texts and questions. Parts 1–5 are about reading and Parts 6–9 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 (+ 8 minutes transfer time) The A2 Key for Schools Listening paper has five parts. 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 candidatesThe A2 Key for Schools 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. The Speaking test accounts for 25% of the total mark.
Choosing your Speaking Test partner
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If you would like to be paired together with a friend/classmate you can
request this when you register for the exam. Please note however that
research has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages in
taking the test with someone you know and that in the end it doesn’t
matter. What is important is that the test judges you on your own
performance. |
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Your resultsIf you are successful in the exam you will receive two documents: a
Statement of Results and a
certificate. Universities, employers and other organisations you apply to may ask you for either of these documents as proof of your English language skills.
'Statement of Results'
Your Statement of Results contains three pieces of information:
 | - Score This is based on your total score in all five papers and is shown as a number between 0 and 100.
- Grade The grade you are awarded depends on the score you achieve.
- Candidate profile This
shows your performance in each paper (shown against the scale
Exceptional - Good - Borderline - Weak). Depending on which university,
college or organisation you are applying to, you may be asked to achieve
a specific score or grade. Organisations may also ask you for a
particular candidate profile if they need you to have a specific level
of English in one of the five skills.
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Your certificateIf a candidate demonstrates that he/she has achieved level A1 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), one of the following certificates will be awarded:

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A2 Key - Level B1 Exceptional candidates sometimes show ability beyond A2 level. If you achieve a Pass with Distinction in your exam, you will receive
the A2 Key certificate stating that you demonstrated ability at Level B1. |
A2 Key If you achieve a Pass with Merit or Pass in your exam, you will be awarded the A2 Key certificate at Level A2. |
Level A1 Certificate If your performance is below Level A2, but falls within Level A1, we will recognise your achievement with a Cambridge English certificate stating that you demonstrated ability at A1 level.
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Results Verification Service |
 If you want a university, employer or other organisation to verify your
result, you must provide them with the information on your Statement of
Results and two additional pieces of information: 1.- Your ID Number (a sequence of nine letters and numbers). 2.- Your Secret Number (a four-digit number). Both of these pieces of information can be found on your Confirmation of
Entry, which you receive when you register for the exam. They can then
verify your result by logging in to www.cambridgeenglish.org/verifiers |
Useful resources to help you to prepare for your Cambridge English: Key for Schools examFree Practice Tests |

| Computer tests Try a computer-based sample Cambridge English:Key for Schools exam paper: TUTORIAL Listening Reading & WritingThe CB sample test is only compatible with Mozilla Firefox. The reason is that this browser is packaged to the Connect Plus program which is used for Live Computer Based Exams. You can download Firefox for free here. Once downloaded, open Firefox and use the links below to view the tests. |
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Paper and pencil tests Try a paper-based sample Cambridge English:Key for Schools exam paper:
Download the Key for Schools sample test Download the Key for Schools vocabulary list |
Preparation resources, games and Cambridge activities
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 | Cambridge English resources to prepare your exam... Online tools and materials to practice the different exam papers and to improve the candidate preparation for the test.
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Social media
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 | Cambridge English Facebook Join The Cambridge English dedicated Facebook page for help with exam preparation.
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 | Exams Catalunya YouTube Channel Watch videos featuring English learning and exam tips on our Exams Catalunya YouTube channel |
 | Cambridge English YouTube Channel Watch videos featuring English learning and exam tips on Cambridge English TV YouTube channel |
Are you a private candidate? It’s easy to register for A2 Key for Schools 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.
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Step 3 Make payment |
Payment for the exam must be made before the registration deadline. If you register after the deadline a late fee of 40 Euros will be applied.
You can choose to pay for your exam via the following payment methods:
By credit/debit card

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
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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 Catalunya will not be responsible for these charges. You must send us the payment receipt by email to registrations@exams-catalunya.com 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. |
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.  C/ Freixa, 5-9 08021 Barcelona Tel: 934 111 333 Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm The candidate may register directly or send someone to register in his/her name.
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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.: 934 111 333. You should also check that our email has not been sent to your junk/spam mail folder.
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