A2 Key

A solid foundation in everyday English, and the first milestone on your learning path.

PaperDigital

Paper-based test ending

The final paper-based A2 Key session is 3 December 2026. We cannot accept entries for later dates.

You can take the digital exam instead. School-age learners can take A2 Key for Schools, which continues in both paper and digital formats — the certificate is the same as the standard exam and does not say ‘for Schools’.

Exam fee

99,000원

The fee is subject to the operator's notice when the exam date and venue are confirmed.

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Registration deadline

7 weeks before the exam

Once the schedule and venue are confirmed 9 weeks before the exam, a payment notice is sent.

Exam format

Paper, Digital

The format may vary by session and can be chosen when you apply.

Apply for group testing How to register

Who it's for

Who is this exam for?

Learners at elementary to lower-intermediate level who are ready to strengthen their everyday English. It is an entry-level recognised qualification for study abroad, travel and life overseas, preparation for admission to a school abroad, and the first milestone on an English learning path.

Learners at CEFR A2

Can understand and use basic expressions and structures, identify the main point of simple notices and short texts, answer questions about themselves, and communicate at a basic level with English speakers.

Test format

Test format by section

The number of parts, questions, and timing are identical for Paper and Digital.

Reading & Writing (60 min, 50%)

Parts 1–5Multiple choice, multiple matching, multiple-choice cloze, and short-answer gap fill
Part 6Write a short email or note of at least 25 words
Part 7Write a picture-based story of at least 35 words

Listening (30 min + 6 min answer transfer for Paper only, 25%)

5 parts, 25 questionsPicture-based multiple choice, note completion from a conversation, multiple choice based on conversations and monologues, and matching
AudioEvery recording is played twice

Speaking (individual: 8–10 min / group: 13–15 min, 25%)

Part 1 (3–4 min)Interview with the examiner
Part 2 (5–6 min)Discussion and expressing preferences with a partner

Paper vs Digital

Two ways to take it

This exam can be taken in two formats: Paper-based and Digital. The structure, scores, and certificate are identical; only the delivery differs.

Structure, scores, certificate: Paper and Digital run with the same number of parts, questions, timing, and marking criteria, and the certificate issued is identical.
Paper-based: You receive paper question and answer sheets and write with a pen. Extra time is given to transfer answers (e.g. 6 minutes for Listening).
Digital: You take it on a computer screen by typing and clicking. As there's no answer-transfer step, some sections are slightly shorter. Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner regardless of format.
Results: Digital tends to have faster Cambridge processing, so results are usually released earlier than Paper (the exact schedule per session takes precedence).

Preparation

How to prepare

About 180–200 hours of study is recommended. Use the official handbook, free sample tests for Paper and Digital, and skill-by-skill study guides to become familiar with the real format. Recommended coursebooks include Prepare 2nd Edition for teenagers, Complete, and Trainers.

Scoring and grade cutoffs in detail

Score range

100–150 points (Cambridge English Scale)

Pass criteria

120 points or above: pass (A2 Key certificate)

Scores of 100–119 receive a Statement of Results showing level A1.

Grade cutoffs

Pass with Distinction (Grade A)
140 points or above — certificate records the higher B1 level
Pass with Merit
133–139 points
Pass
120–132 points

Difference from the For Schools version

A2 Key for Schools has the same structure, scoring and certificate as A2 Key; only the topics differ. The For Schools version focuses on school life, friends and hobbies, while the standard A2 Key uses adult everyday contexts such as work and travel.

Next steps

Institutional inquiry

Group registration for A2 Key

CEQ is currently available only through institutional group inquiries. See the registration steps and how to get in touch.

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Resources

A2 Key resources

Sample tests, teacher handbooks, and study tools in one place.

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Next level

B1 Preliminary

The level after A2 Key. An intermediate qualification showing you can use English in everyday, study and work situations.

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