A2 Key preparation | Cambridge English (2024)

Resources for teachers and learners

Here you can find links to all of our free resources to help prepare for A2 Key exams, whether you are a teacher or a learner.

On this page:

Exam essentials

Essential reading for teachers and learners wanting to find out about the exam.

Teacher essentials

Resources to help you prepare learners for A2 Key exams.

Learner essentials

Information for candidates and resources that can be used at home or in the classroom for self-study.

On-the-go practice with Test & Train

Test & Train is an easy-to-use practice tool to help you get ready for your A2 Key for Schools exam through short, sharp workouts. With over 300 practice questions, you can use it anytime, anywhere and as many times as you like!

Get started today

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Exam essentials

Official Cambridge English preparation materials

You can find a wide range of materials in both print and digital formats.

Vocabulary list

This list gives teachers a guide to the vocabulary needed when preparing students for A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools.

A2 Key vocabulary list

Sample tests (paper-based and digital)

Free: Paper-based sample test

Sample papers for A2 Key

Free: Digital sample tests

Cambridge English Qualifications Digital have now replaced our old computer-based exams and offer you even more benefits. Watch this video tutorial for help on how to complete an A2 Key digital exam. Please also review this document which covers minor differences between the sample tests and the live exam.

Listening

Time: approximately 30 minutes

Instructions to candidates

Answer all the questions.
You can change your answers at any time during the test.

Information for candidates

There are five parts to this test.
Each question carries one mark.
You will hear each recording twice.
For each part of the test there will be time for you to look through the questions and time for you to check your answers.

A2 Key Digital Listening Sample Test

Reading and Writing

Time: 1 hour

Instructions to candidates

Answer all the questions.
You can change your answers at any time during the test.

Information for candidates

There are seven parts to this test.
Questions 1-30 carry one mark.
Questions 31 and 32 carry fifteen marks each.

A2 Key Digital Reading and Writing Sample Test

Answer keys and tapescript:

A2 Key Listening Sample 1 answer key

A2 Key Listening Sample 1 tapescript

A2 Key Reading Sample 1 answer key

How to convert practice test scores

The Cambridge English Scale is used to report results for our qualifications and tests. The scores provide a detailed understanding of the candidate’s level. They are also consistent across the different exams, making it easy to compare results and understand progress from one level to the next.

For guidance on converting practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores, download our guide for teachers.

Converting practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores

Digital exam information

Have you thought about taking digital exams? Find out more about the benefits of digital exams.

Watch this short video to see what it’s like to take a digital exam.

Watch the video tutorialfor help on how to complete an A2 Key digital exam.

Read our FAQs if you have any more questions about taking digital exams.

Speaking test videos with examiners' commentary

This video will help your students understand what happens during a speaking test. You can also download examiner comments.

Read the examiner comments for Rashid and Gonca's speaking test

Read the examiner comments for Sthefhany and Fayza's speaking test

Teacher essentials

Exam Preparation Journey resource packs

The Exam Preparation Journey is a central online hub with teaching tips, classroom activities and more to support teachers preparing students for Cambridge English Qualifications.

Whatever stage you are at – starting out, considering a mock test or exploring your digital options – we offer timely support when you need it. Find advice such as how to create a positive learning environment, structure exam readiness and save time with lots of practical ideas ready to use in class.

Go to the Exam Preparation Journey

Handbook for teachers

A2 Key handbook for teachers

A2 Key handbook for teachers Listening Audio

Lesson plans

Our lesson plans include everything you need to deliver a 45-minute lesson in the classroom or online, including activity sheets, homework, and more.

A2 Key lesson plans

Teacher guides

Developing listening skills for Cambridge English Qualifications: A guide for teachers

Developing reading skills for Cambridge English Qualifications: A guide for teachers

Assessing writing for Cambridge English Qualifications: A guide for teachers

Writing checklist

This checklist is designed to help you assess your students’ writing. It includes a summary of the assessment criteria and useful questions tailored to each writing type in the Writing paper.

Mock test toolkit

Running a mock test gives your learners a true exam day experience, helps you understand their progress and decide if they are ready for their exam. Our interactive mock test toolkits are full of tips, strategies and materials to help you ensure your students are confident and fully prepared for their exam.

Mock test toolkit for older learners

Classroom warmers booklet

Classroom warmers activity booklet

This booklet includes seven exercises each for primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary students.

Supporting learners with dyslexia

Supporting learners with dyslexia: A guide for teachers

Many teachers have learners with dyslexia in their exam preparation classes. This guide is for you. With lots of practical tips and ideas for lesson plans, it will help you prepare materials to support learners with dyslexia in preparation for our qualifications.

Teacher webinars

Cambridge English webinars and Facebook Live sessions are a great way for teachers to stay up to date with the latest developments and to interact with our experts.

Our webinars provide you with invaluable information about our exams, and cover a wide spectrum of subjects, including effective teaching methods, tips to improve student engagement and online professional development to help you develop your career.

Webinars for teachers

Teaching English with Cambridge Facebook page

You can connect with a lively community of teachers on our Teaching English with Cambridge Facebook page. We regularly post teaching tips, answer your questions, and host regular Live events to give you a chance to engage with the community.

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Learner essentials

Free online learning activities

We have hundreds of free learning activities to help you practise your English and prepare for your A2 Key exam.

Find out more

Exam information for candidates

Download our guide to the exam, with advice on preparing for the exam, tips for exam day and useful links.

A2 Key: Information for candidates

Social media

Facebook

Join our lively Facebook community and take part in quizzes, talk to other English language learners and learn on-the-go.

YouTube

Subscribe to our Learn English with Cambridge YouTube channel to get helpful tips for exam preparation, and lots of English language advice.

Exam tip videos

Get great tips for taking your A2 Key for Schools exams with our video playlist.

Write & Improve: Practise your writing for free

Write & Improve is a free online tool to help you practise and improve your writing. Just choose a task, write or upload your answer and use the feedback to quickly improve.

Find out more

Improve your learning with the Exam Lift app

learn English on the go – anytime and anywhere
develop the skills you need for the A2 Key exam
receive instant feedback on your performance.

Find out more

A2 Key preparation | Cambridge English (2024)

FAQs

What is the pass mark for A2 English test? ›

A2 Key – Level A2

If you achieve a scale score of 120–139 (Pass, Pass with Merit) in your exam, you will receive the Key English Test certificate at Level A2.

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What is the A2 Key level of English? ›

An A2 Key for Schools qualification shows that a student can: understand and use basic phrases and expressions. understand simple written English. introduce themselves and answer basic questions about themselves.

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What is the A2 Key use of English? ›

An A2 Key qualification is proof of your ability to use English to communicate in simple situations. The exam tests all four English language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking. It should give you the confidence to go on and study for higher-level exams such as B1 Preliminary and B2 First.

How to calculate A2 Key score? ›

It is the average of the individual scores that you receive in each of for the four skills. The overall score is calculated by adding all of the individual scores together, and dividing by four. You will be given a Cambridge English Scale score for each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking).

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How long is A2 valid for? ›

Your A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) will be valid for 5 years from the date you complete the theory examination.

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How long does it take to learn A2 English? ›

When you reach A2, you should have a working vocabulary of about 1500 words, plus a solid understanding of grammar. It takes approximately 180-200 hours of studying English to pass the A2 Cambridge examination.

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How fluent is A2? ›

CEFR-level A2 (pre-intermediate)

You can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). You can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.

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Why is A2 so much harder than as? ›

With all the added content introduced in the second year of college, this creates a much heavier workload than students had to deal with at AS level. A2 is notorious for its large workload, especially when comparing it with GCSE and AS level workloads.

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How hard is A2 level? ›

In terms of difficulty, it really depends on the individual student and the subjects they are studying. Some students may find AS more difficult because it involves adjusting to a new level of academic rigour, while others may find A2 more challenging due to the increased depth and complexity of the topics covered.

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Is A2 level English good? ›

If a person is at A2, this is pre-intermediate level. He/she can do the following: Understand sentences and frequently-used expressions related to the areas of experience most immediately relevant to him/her (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, places of interest, employment, etc.).

Is A2 Key good? ›

Learners can use this qualification for education or work purposes, as well as to progress to higher-level English language qualifications, such as B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency. Many higher education institutions around the world recognise A2 Key as an indication of English language ability.

How can I improve my English from A2 to B1? ›

You can take English lessons, listen to English language songs, watch films and shows in English, read documents in English for your job or search for articles and videos … all of these will help you to improve your reading and listening skills. Choose texts about things you already know.

What is A2 English grade? ›

The CEFR guidelines say that someone at the A2 level in English can: Understand sentences related to areas such as work, basic personal and family topics. Communicate in simple and routine tasks such as travel. Describe in simple terms their background, environment and in areas of immediate need.

What is level of English A2+? ›

Can understand short, simple texts on familiar matters of a concrete type which consist of high frequency everyday or job-related language. Can understand short, simple texts containing the highest frequency vocabulary, including a proportion of shared international vocabulary items.

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What is the English level A2 equivalent to? ›

English level A2 is the second level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level might be described as “basic” as in “I speak basic English”.

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