English · Cambridge A2 Key · Elementary

A2 Key (KET) Practice Test: Reading and Listening Online

Practise the reading and listening skills the Cambridge A2 Key exam checks, with short real-life texts, timed sections and instant marking.

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Quick answer

Cambridge A2 Key (formerly KET), in its 2020 format, has three papers: Reading and Writing (60 minutes: 30 reading questions in five parts plus two writing tasks), Listening (about 30 minutes, 25 questions in five parts) and Speaking (8–10 minutes, taken in pairs). Results use the Cambridge English Scale from 100 to 150: 120–132 is a pass at A2 (grade C), 133–139 grade B and 140–150 grade A, reported at B1. Engame's A2 Key practice test has a reading section (25 questions, 30 minutes) and a listening section (15 questions, 15 minutes) and gives a score out of 100 with 70 as its estimated pass mark.

Official A2 Key format

SectionQuestionsMinutesPoints
Reading and Writing30 + 2 writing tasks6050%
Listening25~3025%
Speaking (in pairs)2 parts8–1025%
Total—~90 + speaking100–150

Sources: Cambridge English: A2 Key handbook (2020 format); Cambridge English: A2 Key statement of results

What the Engame A2 Key mock test covers

SectionQuestionsMinutesTask types on Engame
Reading2530read a text, answer questions; grammar gap-fill; put the words in order
Listening1515hear a sentence, pick its meaning; hear a word, type it
Total4045

How your A2 Key score is calculated

Engame converts your share of correct answers to the 100-point scale: score = correct answers ÷ 40 × 100, rounded. A typed dictation answer with a small typo earns half a point. 70 or more is shown as a pass.

Correct answers (of 40)Engame scoreResult shown
2050/100below the pass mark
2460/100below the pass mark
2870/100pass
3280/100pass
3690/100pass
Estimate only
The score out of 100 is Engame's own scale, not the Cambridge English Scale. Cambridge converts each paper's raw marks to its 100–150 scale with tables that are not public, so no free practice test can give you an exact Cambridge score.

What A2 means and who takes A2 Key

A2 is the second level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The CEFR describes A2 learners as able to understand sentences and frequent expressions about familiar matters, such as personal and family information, shopping, local geography and work, and to communicate in simple, routine tasks.

A2 Key is often the first international certificate for school students and adult beginners. There is also A2 Key for Schools: same level, same format and the same certificate, with topics chosen for school-age candidates.

Engame's English course splits vocabulary by CEFR level; its A2 list is a practical target for the exam, together with the past simple, the present perfect, comparatives and basic modal verbs, which A2 Key texts use constantly.

A2 Key tips, part by part

A2 Key sample questions with answers

Real questions from the bank Engame builds this test from. Pick an answer, then open it to check.

Reading text · A2

Hi Rosa,
My brother has two tickets for the Blue Lights concert on Friday, but he can't go because he has to work. He gave them to me! Do you want to come? It starts at 8 p.m. at City Hall. We could have pizza at Gino's first – it's just across the road from City Hall. My mum can drive us there, but we'll need to take a taxi home because she goes to bed early. Let me know by Wednesday.
Kate

1. Why can't Kate's brother go to the concert?
  • He is ill
  • He has to work
  • He doesn't like the band
  • He goes to bed early
Show answer

B. He has to work "He can't go because he has to work". It is Kate's mum who goes to bed early.

2. What does "across the road" tell us about Gino's?
  • It is far from City Hall
  • It is inside City Hall
  • It is opposite City Hall
  • It is next to Kate's house
Show answer

C. It is opposite City Hall "Just across the road from City Hall" means opposite it, on the other side of the road.

3. How will the girls get home after the concert?
  • By taxi
  • In Kate's mum's car
  • On foot
  • By bus
Show answer

A. By taxi "We'll need to take a taxi home". Kate's mum only drives them there.

4. The neighbours ___ this song at this time yesterday. (enjoy)
  • enjoy
  • is enjoying
  • will enjoy
  • were enjoying
Show answer

D. were enjoying "at this time yesterday" shows that this thing was going on when something else interrupted it, so this sentence uses the Past Continuous tense. The formula is was/were + V-ing. The subject "The neighbors" goes with "were" so the answer is "were enjoying".

5. I ___ like to have a cup of coffee, please. (polite) (would)
  • should
  • could
  • must
  • would
Show answer

D. would 'would like' is a polite way of saying you want something.

6. This is ___ movie I've ever seen. (bad)
  • worse
  • the most bad
  • the worst
  • the baddest
Show answer

C. the worst bad → worse → the worst, an irregular set.

7. What does start (/stɑːrt/) mean?
  • an exciting or risky experience
  • to be able or possible
  • the last part; to bring to an end
  • to do the first part of something
Show answer

D. to do the first part of something start (/stɑːrt/) means “to do the first part of something”.

A2 Key FAQ

Is A2 Key the same as KET?

Yes. KET (Key English Test) was renamed Cambridge English: Key and then A2 Key. The 2020 format is the current one.

What is the pass mark for A2 Key?

A score of 120 on the Cambridge English Scale earns the A2 certificate (grade C). 133 is grade B, and 140 or more is grade A, which is reported at B1. Scores from 100 to 119 are reported at A1.

How long is the A2 Key exam?

About 1 hour 30 minutes plus speaking: 60 minutes of Reading and Writing, about 30 minutes of Listening, and an 8–10 minute speaking test with another candidate.

Does an A2 Key certificate expire?

Cambridge English certificates do not expire, although some institutions ask for a recent result.

What is the difference between Engame's score and the Cambridge score?

Engame shows a score out of 100 with 70 as a pass estimate. Cambridge uses its own 100–150 scale built from all four skills.

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