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100+ Free A2 Key for Schools Practice Questions

Pass your Cambridge English A2 Key for Schools (KET for Schools) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Using the same text about Daniel: What does Daniel hope to do next year?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: A2 Key for Schools Exam

A2 Key for Schools is Cambridge English's elementary (CEFR A2) qualification for school-age learners, testing reading, writing, listening and speaking on school-relevant topics, with results on the Cambridge English Scale (120-139 earns the A2 certificate).

Sample A2 Key for Schools Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your A2 Key for Schools exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A school notice says: 'Library closed Friday. Return all books to the office instead.' What should students do on Friday?
A.Wait outside the library
B.Take their books to the office
C.Keep the books until Monday
D.Borrow new books from the office
Explanation: The notice tells students to return books 'to the office instead' because the library is closed, so they should take their books to the office. In Reading Part 1, you read a short real-world text and choose its main message.
2A text message reads: 'Hi Mia, football practice is moved to 4 pm, not 3 pm. Tell Sam!' Why did the writer send this message?
A.To cancel football practice today
B.To ask Mia to play football
C.To say practice will start later than usual
D.To invite Sam to watch a match
Explanation: The message says practice is 'moved to 4 pm, not 3 pm', meaning it now starts an hour later. Reading Part 1 tests understanding the main reason for a short message.
3A sign in the science lab says: 'Do not eat or drink in this room.' What does the sign mean?
A.You may only drink water here
B.Eating is allowed after lessons
C.Drinks must be left by the door
D.Food and drinks are not allowed here
Explanation: 'Do not eat or drink in this room' is a rule banning both food and drinks in the lab. Part 1 signs test the main instruction.
4An email from a teacher says: 'Bring your art project tomorrow. If you forget it, you will lose marks.' What is the teacher warning students about?
A.Losing marks if they do not bring the project
B.Cancelling the art lesson tomorrow
C.Buying new art materials
D.Starting a new project next week
Explanation: The teacher warns that forgetting the project means 'you will lose marks'. Part 1 often tests warnings and consequences in short messages.
5A notice on the school door reads: 'Visitors must report to reception before entering.' What must visitors do first?
A.Sign a book at the gate
B.Wait in the playground
C.Go to reception
D.Call the head teacher
Explanation: The notice says visitors 'must report to reception before entering', so going to reception is the first step. Part 1 tests the main instruction of a notice.
6A message from Greta to Fiona says: 'Did you write down the maths homework? I missed the end of the lesson.' What does Greta want?
A.To borrow Fiona's calculator
B.To meet Fiona after school
C.To change the homework date
D.To know what the maths homework is
Explanation: Greta missed the end of the lesson and asks if Fiona wrote down the homework, so she wants to know what it is. Part 1 messages test the writer's purpose.
7A notice says: 'School trip tickets are sold out. Add your name to the waiting list at the office.' What can students do now?
A.Buy a ticket online
B.Join a waiting list at the office
C.Pay extra for a ticket
D.Choose a different trip
Explanation: Since tickets are 'sold out', students can only 'add your name to the waiting list at the office'. Part 1 tests the action a notice allows.
8A note from Mum says: 'Your football boots are clean and by the front door. Don't forget them!' Why did Mum write the note?
A.To remind her child to take the boots
B.To ask the child to clean the boots
C.To say the boots are lost
D.To buy new football boots
Explanation: Mum writes 'Don't forget them!' about the clean boots by the door, so the note is a reminder to take them. Part 1 tests the purpose of short notes.
9A poster says: 'Music club meets every Wednesday at lunchtime in Room 12. New members welcome!' What does the poster tell students?
A.The club meets after school
B.Only experienced players can come
C.The club has moved rooms
D.They can join the club on Wednesdays
Explanation: The poster says new members are welcome and the club meets Wednesdays at lunchtime, so students can join then. Part 1 tests the main information of a poster.
10A message reads: 'Sorry, I can't come to your birthday party on Saturday. I have a swimming competition. Hope it goes well!' What is the writer doing?
A.Inviting a friend to swimming
B.Saying they cannot attend the party
C.Asking to change the party day
D.Offering to bring a present
Explanation: The writer apologises and explains they cannot come because of a swimming competition, so they are declining the invitation. Part 1 tests the function of a message.

About the A2 Key for Schools Exam

Cambridge English A2 Key for Schools, also known as KET for Schools, is an elementary-level English qualification at CEFR Level A2 for school-age learners. It follows the same format and scoring as A2 Key but uses topics, texts and situations tailored to the interests and experience of younger students, such as school life, friends, hobbies, sports and family. The exam has three components: Reading and Writing (7 parts, 32 questions, 1 hour), Listening (5 parts, 25 questions, about 30 minutes) and a face-to-face Speaking test (2 parts, 8-10 minutes per pair). Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale from 100 to 150, with scores of 120-139 confirming Level A2 and 140-150 showing ability at B1. It is offered in both digital and paper-based formats at authorised exam centres and is a popular first step towards B1 Preliminary for Schools.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Reading and Writing 1 hour; Listening about 30 minutes (including transfer time); Speaking 8-10 minutes per pair. Total about 1 hour 40 minutes.

Passing Score

Cambridge English Scale 100-150; 120-139 earns the A2 certificate, 140-150 (Grade A) shows B1 ability, and 100-119 receives an A1-level certificate.

Exam Fee

Around GBP 90-120 or EUR 180 in Europe, and about S$450 in Singapore (2026); set locally by each authorised exam centre. (Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge Assessment English))

A2 Key for Schools Exam Content Outline

11%

Reading Part 1 - Short texts (main message)

Read six short signs, notices and messages about school life and choose the correct main message.

13%

Reading Part 2 - Multiple matching

Match seven questions to three short texts on the same topic, such as hobbies, sports or school subjects.

9%

Reading Part 3 - Long text

Read one longer text about a young person for detailed understanding, main ideas and opinions.

11%

Reading Part 4 - Vocabulary cloze

Choose the correct vocabulary item to complete six gaps in a factual text, testing collocations and meaning.

11%

Reading Part 5 - Open cloze (grammar)

Complete six one-word gaps in an email, testing prepositions, articles, tenses, comparatives and quantifiers.

9%

Listening Part 1 - Key information

Listen to five short dialogues and choose the correct 3-option answer about times, places, prices and choices.

9%

Listening Part 2 - Note completion

Listen to a monologue and complete notes with names, numbers, dates and other key details.

17%

Listening Parts 3-4 - Multiple choice

Listen to a dialogue for detail and to short monologues for gist, choosing the correct 3-option answer.

10%

Listening Part 5 - Matching

Listen to a dialogue and match five people to the correct items such as clubs, gifts, hobbies or plans.

How to Pass the A2 Key for Schools Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Cambridge English Scale 100-150; 120-139 earns the A2 certificate, 140-150 (Grade A) shows B1 ability, and 100-119 receives an A1-level certificate.
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Reading and Writing 1 hour; Listening about 30 minutes (including transfer time); Speaking 8-10 minutes per pair. Total about 1 hour 40 minutes.
  • Exam fee: Around GBP 90-120 or EUR 180 in Europe, and about S$450 in Singapore (2026); set locally by each authorised exam centre.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

A2 Key for Schools Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read short English texts such as notices, messages and emails daily to prepare for Reading Parts 1 and 2.
2Build vocabulary in topic groups like school subjects, sports, hobbies and food, since Reading Part 4 tests word choice.
3Practise grammar gap-fills focusing on prepositions, articles, tenses and comparatives for the Reading Part 5 open cloze.
4Listen to short English dialogues and note key details like times, prices and dates for Listening Parts 1 and 2.
5Do full timed practice papers so you get used to the 1-hour Reading and Writing and 30-minute Listening sections.
6Practise speaking about yourself, your school, your likes and your dislikes to prepare for the two Speaking parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cambridge A2 Key for Schools exam?

A2 Key for Schools (KET for Schools) is an elementary English qualification at CEFR Level A2 from Cambridge English. It tests reading, writing, listening and speaking using topics designed for school-age learners, such as school life, hobbies and sports.

How is A2 Key for Schools different from A2 Key?

Both exams are at the same CEFR A2 level and use exactly the same format and scoring. The difference is content: A2 Key for Schools uses texts and situations tailored to younger learners, while A2 Key is designed for adults.

How many questions and parts are there?

Reading and Writing has 7 parts with 32 questions, Listening has 5 parts with 25 questions, and Speaking has 2 parts. Reading Parts 1-5 and all five Listening parts are multiple-choice, matching or gap-fill items.

How is A2 Key for Schools scored?

Results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale from 100 to 150. A score of 120-139 confirms Level A2 and earns the certificate, 140-150 (Grade A) shows ability at B1, and 100-119 receives an A1-level certificate.

How long is the A2 Key for Schools exam?

Reading and Writing lasts 1 hour, Listening takes about 30 minutes including transfer time, and Speaking lasts 8-10 minutes per pair of candidates. The whole exam takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.

Is A2 Key for Schools available in 2026?

Yes. A2 Key for Schools remains available in both paper-based and digital formats in 2026. Note that the adult A2 Key paper-based exam is being withdrawn after June 2026, but the for-Schools version continues in both formats.