Key Facts
| A2 Key result turnaround (digital exam) | 5–10 working days after the exam session |
|---|---|
| A2 Key result turnaround (paper-based exam) | 4–6 weeks after the exam session |
| A2 Key paper-based exam availability | Withdrawn after the last session in December 2026; the digital exam remains available |
Figures correct at the time of writing. Confirm current fees and deadlines with the school or university directly.
A2 Key is the Cambridge University Press & Assessment exam for learners at CEFR level A2, made up of three papers (Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking) that together last about 2 hours. It shows that a learner can communicate in simple situations, for example by understanding basic phrases and simple written English, introducing themselves and answering basic questions. Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale, where A2 level spans 120 to 139, and the exam is taken on computer, because the paper-based A2 Key is being withdrawn.
What does A2 Key certify?
It certifies that a learner can communicate in simple situations at CEFR level A2. Cambridge describes this as understanding and using basic phrases, understanding simple written English, introducing yourself, answering basic questions and interacting with English speakers at a basic level. Because the exam tests reading, writing, listening and speaking, the result covers all four skills. Reading and Writing carries 50% of the total, with Listening and Speaking at 25% each, so the written paper has the largest influence on the overall score.
What are the papers, and how long is each?
The exam has three papers, taken in the order Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking, and together they last about 2 hours. Reading and Writing lasts 1 hour with 7 parts and 32 questions. Listening lasts 30 minutes, including 6 minutes of transfer time on paper (2 minutes to check answers on computer), with 5 parts and 25 questions, and each recording is played twice. Speaking has 2 parts and takes 8 to 10 minutes for a pair of candidates or 13 to 15 minutes for a group of three.
Speaking is taken face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners, one of whom talks to the candidate whilst the other listens; the examiner who talks may be remote, and both examiners give marks.
- Reading Part 1: multiple choice on six short real-world texts, testing the main message (6 questions)
- Reading Part 2: multiple matching of seven questions to three short texts on one topic (7 questions)
- Reading Part 3: multiple choice on one long text (5 questions)
- Reading Part 4: multiple-choice cloze, choosing vocabulary to fill gaps in a factual text (6 questions)
- Reading Part 5: open cloze, filling gaps in an email with one word each (6 questions)
- Writing Part 6: guided writing, a short email or note of 25 words or more (15 marks)
- Writing Part 7: picture story of 35 words or more based on three pictures (15 marks)
- Listening Part 1: five short dialogues, choosing the correct picture; Part 2: a monologue, completing gaps in notes; Part 3: a dialogue with five 3-option questions; Part 4: five short monologues or dialogues, 3-option questions on the main idea or message; Part 5: a dialogue, matching five items (5 questions in each part)
- Speaking Part 1: interview giving factual or personal information (3 to 4 minutes); Part 2: discussion of likes and dislikes with reasons (5 to 6 minutes)
Cambridge English Exams tutors
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Expert TutorI have six years' full-time teaching experience and hold Oxford degrees in Classics and Ancient Languages. I teach Latin, History, English, French and Oxbridge preparation from 11+ to Master's level. My approach is student-centred, using dialogue to check understanding as we progress.
Enquire about this tutorHow does A2 Key for Schools differ?
A2 Key for Schools is tailored to school-age learners, whilst A2 Key is designed for adults, and both sit at CEFR level A2 with the same format. The three papers, parts and timings match, and both versions report results on the Cambridge English Scale. An adult learner therefore sits the A2 Key version, which uses the same task types as the Schools exam. Both versions can be taken on computer.
How is the result reported?
Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale, with a separate score for each skill, an overall score that averages them, a grade and a CEFR level. Grade A reaches B1 level, Grades B and C sit at A2, and the band below them is reported as Level A1; the scores for each are in the table. Scores below that range earn no certificate, only a scale score on the Statement of Results.
Certificates do not expire, although the organisation asking for your result decides how long it accepts one.
| Result | Cambridge English Scale score | CEFR level |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A | 140 to 150 | B1 |
| Grade B | 133 to 139 | A2 |
| Grade C | 120 to 132 | A2 |
| Level A1 | 100 to 119 | A1 |
| No certificate | 80 to 99 | Scale score only on the Statement of Results |
How should learners prepare for Reading and Writing?
Practise Reading Parts 1 to 5 first, then add timed writing, because Writing Parts 6 and 7 carry 30 of the 60 marks on the paper. Cambridge suggests spending about 20 minutes on Writing and about 40 on Reading, so time each practice paper in that split. Sample tests with answer keys are available for checking.
Part 6 is marked on Content, Organisation and Language, each on a scale from 0 to 5. After every practice email, check that each point in the task has an answer, that simple linking words such as and, so and because connect the sentences, and that the grammar you use is simple enough to keep errors from blocking the meaning.
Aim for roughly the required number of words, which stops you leaving out a point or adding irrelevant detail. Writing regularly to a penfriend or online friend builds the habit, and noticing how emails open and close gives you ready phrases. Write & Improve gives free feedback on practice writing.
How should candidates prepare for Listening and Speaking?
For Listening, practise each of the five task types in turn and use the fact that every recording is played twice: settle on an answer at the first hearing and confirm it at the second. The official sample tests, with a tutorial video for the digital exam, and the free Reading and Listening practice on Cambridge One give feedback on your answers. The vocabulary list for A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools shows which words to revise.
For Speaking, practise in pairs, since Part 1 asks for factual or personal information and Part 2 asks you to discuss likes and dislikes and give reasons. The assessor marks Grammar and Vocabulary, Pronunciation and Interactive Communication, so answer with a reason and respond to your partner's ideas as well as the examiner's questions. The examiner-comment videos for sample candidates show how performances are described.
Model answer: Email to a friend about a visit
Task: You are going to visit your friend Sam, who lives in another city, next month. Write an email to Sam. In your email: say which day you will arrive; ask how to get from the station to Sam's flat; suggest something you can do together. Write 25 words or more.
"Hi Sam,
"I will arrive on Friday morning at ten o'clock. Which bus goes from the station to your flat?
"On Saturday we could visit the market and have lunch in the park, if the weather is good. What do you think?
"See you soon,
What this model answer does:
- Content: the email answers all three points in the task (the day of arrival, the question about getting to the flat and the suggestion for Saturday), so the target reader is fully informed.
- Organisation: a greeting, short paragraphs and a closing line give the message a clear order, and the linking words 'if' and 'and' connect the ideas.
- Language: everyday vocabulary and simple grammatical forms such as 'will arrive' and 'could visit' are used with control.
- The answer is above the 25-word minimum, which leaves room for each content point without adding irrelevant detail.
Related guides
- Cambridge English exams, A2 Key to C2 Proficiency
- B1 Preliminary (PET)
- B2 First (FCE)
- B2 First Writing with model answers
- C1 Advanced (CAE)
- C1 Advanced Writing with model answers
- C2 Proficiency (CPE)
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Adults who come to us for English usually know the situation they need it for, whether that is a job, a test or daily life in the UK, so lessons start with a level check against the CEFR scale and are then built around the tasks the learner actually faces.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is the A2 Key Speaking test taken alone?
- Speaking is taken face to face with one or two other candidates and two examiners, which gives a pair or a group of three. One examiner talks to you whilst the other listens, and the examiner who talks may be remote. Both examiners award marks, and each candidate is assessed on their own performance, so a partner's mistakes do not lower your marks.
- Is it possible to take A2 Key on a computer?
- The exam is available digitally, with the same format as the paper-based version, which Cambridge is withdrawing for A2 Key (A2 Key for Schools stays available on paper). For the digital exam, Cambridge provides sample tests and a tutorial video, and the teacher handbook advises timed practice of typing and editing answers on screen so the Writing tasks feel familiar. In the digital Listening paper you have 2 minutes at the end to check your answers.
- Do A2 Key certificates expire?
- Certificates do not expire. The organisation asking for your result, such as a university, employer or visa authority, decides how long it accepts one, so check its own rules before you book. A photo on the certificate is optional for A2 Key but recommended if you will use the result for university, work or visa purposes.
- What free practice materials are there for A2 Key?
- Cambridge offers free Reading and Listening practice on Cambridge One with feedback on answers, free sample tests with answer keys, and a vocabulary list for A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools. Write & Improve gives free feedback on practice writing, a mock test toolkit gives teachers tips and materials for running mock tests, and a short video explains what to expect on the day.
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