Cambridge KET - A2 Key for Schools (A2)

Features to prepare for the Cambridge KET - A2 Key for Schools English exam, level A2

If you are an English teacher or have young children of school age, it may help you to know that they can take an official test that accredits their level of English, which can open doors to study and obtain important scholarships in their student time. Today we want to help you help them prepare for this test in a fun and entertaining way. We explain what the Cambridge KET - A2 Key for Schools English exam consists of, level A2. We are going to leave you fundamental recommendations and tips for you to help the English learners close to you, with an A2 level so that they can easily pass this exam. And, so that you do not have doubts about anything, we will help you to register directly, in the safest and easiest way.

What is the Cambridge KET - A2 Key for Schools English exam, level A2

The A2 Key for Schools qualification demonstrates that the student can communicate in English in simple, everyday situations. It is the next step after the Starters, Movers and Flyers exams and also a starting point for elementary students to begin to learn English.

The exam gives students the confidence to prepare for higher-level English exams, such as the B1 Preliminary for Schools.

A2 Key for Schools is focused on the same level as the CEFR as A2 Key, but the content is aimed at school-age students.

The A2 Key for School qualification shows that students can:

• Understand sentences and use basic expressions.
• Understand and use elementary written English.
• Introduce themselves and answer basic questions about themselves.
• Interact in English at a basic level.
• Understand short news and simple instructions.
• Write short and simple notes.

Reasons for choosing A2 Key for Schools:

• Prepares students with the skills necessary to be successful at work and in school.
• It is easily integrated into the school curriculum.
• It is part of a set of exams that offers a gradual progression to students.
• Offers comprehensive support in exam preparation and administration.

Exam structure

• The exam can be done in computer version and in paper version.
• It lasts approximately two hours.
• It consists of exactly three tests.

1. Reading and Writing test:

The reading comprehension and written expression test consists of nine parts with different types of texts and questions. From 1 to 5 they focus on reading comprehension and from 6 to 9 mainly, they are focused on written expression.

PART 1: Reading the main message:

—You are given 5 questions that you must match.

—You are presented with 8 notices or other very short texts and five sentences. You must match each sentence with the correct sign or notice.

PART 2: Read and use vocabulary correctly:

—You have to face 5 multiple choice questions.

—You must read 5 sentences that deal with the same subject or that are related to a story. In each sentence a word is missing and you have to choose the most suitable word to complete it.

PART 3: Read and find the right answer in everyday conversations:

—It consists of 10 multiple choice questions.

—The first five questions are phrases that are part of a conversation. For each sentence, you have to choose between 3 options, what the other person says next. The second segment is a longer conversation with some sentences missing. You have a list of 8 sentences and you must find out which one is appropriate for each blank you have to fill in.

PART 4: Read to understand the main idea and details of a text:

—You must face 7 questions of Correct / Incorrect / Not mentioned or multiple choice.

—It consists of one long text or three short texts. You have to read the texts and seven sentences that they present to you. Then you have to decide if the sentences are correct, incorrect or not mentioned, or select the correct answer.

PART 5: Read in order to find out the correct structural word, for example, a preposition like for, since, or verb forms like keeping, keep or kept, etc .:

—You work with 8 questions with blanks with multiple choice.

—This is a short text with eight numbered blanks. Each blank represents the missing word and the students have to choose the appropriate answer from the options they give you.

PART 6: Vocabulary and spelling:

—You have 5 questions where you must complete with words.

—It consists of 5 phrases similar to the definitions found in dictionaries. We give you the first letter of the word and the number of letters; with that information you have to complete the word.

PART 7: Grammar, vocabulary and spelling:

—10 questions with blanks with open answers.

—It consists of a short text, for example, a note, email or letter. Where 10 words are missing in the text and you have to figure out the right word for each blank.

PART 8: Correct reading and writing of words and numbers:

—It is about 5 questions where you must transfer information.

—It consists of 2 short texts that you must read and then you have to use that information contained in the texts to correctly complete a note, form, diary or other document.

PART 9: Writing short messages:

—1 guided writing of 25–35 words.

—You have to write a short message, for example, a note, email or postcard. The instructions tell you who to write to and what to say.

All questions are worth 1 point except part 9 which comprises a total of 5 points.

2. Listening:

The A2 Key listening test consists of five parts. In each part the students have to listen to one or more recorded texts and answer some questions. Recordings are played twice.

PART 1: Listening to crucial information.

—It consists of 5 multiple-choice questions.

—It consists of 5 short conversations. For each conversation there is a question and three images. You have to listen to the conversations and choose the correct answer.

PART 2: Listening to crucial information.

—It consists of 5 matching questions.

—It consists of a long conversation and two lists of words. You have to listen to the conversation and match two lists of things, for example, people with foods they like to eat or days of the week with activities.

PART 3: Listening to information.

—Consists of 5 multiple choice questions.

"A conversation and some questions." You have to listen to the conversation and choose the correct answer for each question.

PART 4: Listening comprehension and correct writing of information.

—It is about 5 questions to fill in the blanks.

—It consists of listening to a conversation between two people and writing down the information that you capture in order to complete a message or note.

PART 5: Listening comprehension and correct writing of information.

—Consists of 5 questions to fill in with blanks.

—It consists of a recording in which one person speaks. You have to listen to the recording and write down the information you capture in order to complete a message or note.

3. Speaking:

The A2 Key speaking test consists of two parts that you take together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One examiner talks to you and the other listens. Both examiners rate your performance.

PART 1 : Provide personal information:

"It consists of a conversation with the examiner." The examiner asks you some personal questions and you answer. They are 5 or 6 minutes of interview.

PART 2: Ask and Answer Simple Questions About Everyday Life:

—The examiner gives you some information or a card with ideas about questions. You have to talk to the other candidate and ask or answer questions. It is 3 or 4 minutes of a collaborative task.

How to prepare for the exam on your own: tips and materials

• As these are children, candidates need help preparing for the test, but they can do it all on their own. There needs to be an older person who is close, controls, directs and helps them.
• With this test , you can check the English level of children to see if they can take the exams.
• It is recommended that the study time be as fun as possible, so that students are motivated and like to study, with the sole objective of carrying out the preparation of the test.
• It doesn't hurt that children work, even once in a while, with other children who are in the same situation as them. This will make them feel accompanied in the process and they will feel that it is a natural part of their study routine.

You can use the following material that will come in handy to work with them:

• 2020 tips - A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools Reading and Writing part 1
• 2020 tips - A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools Speaking part 2
• And here you will find a list of other videos that can help you prepare for the test:

Essential books to prepare for the exam

• A2 Key for Schools 1 for Revised Exam from 2020 Student's Book without Answers (KET Practice Tests). See on Amazon.
• A2 Key for Schools Trainer 1 for the Revised Exam from 2020 Six Practice Tests without Answers with Downloadable Audio 2nd Edition. See on amazon.
• Practice Tests for A2 Key for Schools (KET) (Collins Cambridge English). See on amazon.
• Cambridge English. A2 Key for schools. For revised exam 2020. Student's book. With answers. For high schools. With expand online. File with Answers and Audio. (KET Practice Tests). See on amazon .

Dates, license plates and prices

In the following link you have all the information related to the exam centers that may interest you the most: https://examenexam.com/es/es/convocativos/ingles/cambridge/a2/cambridge-ket-a2-key-for- schools In any case, from the search engine you will be able to see all the options that best suit your needs. Get in touch with them, as they are the ones who can assure you precisely when the tests will be done, under what conditions, registration dates and prices.

Directly from this same link you can register, so that you are not without a place and you can take the exam.