Key English Test
KET is the first level Cambridge ESOL exam, at level A2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages,. KET recognises the ability to cope with everyday written and spoken communications at a basic level.
Do you have basic English skills? Can you understand simple texts? Can you communicate in familiar situations? Can you understand short notices and simple spoken directions? If so, then KET is the exam for you.
Why should you take KET?
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KET uses language from real life situations and covers the four language skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking. It provides an assessment of practical skills, and encourages the development of abilities which can be used while travelling, as well as in study and working situations.
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Although the KET exam is at a basic level, it helps you to find out your strengths and weaknesses. You can then plan further study and go on to take PET (Preliminary English Test) and the other Cambridge ESOL exams.
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If you are successful, you will receive a certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. You will also receive a statement of results, showing how you have performed in each of the three papers.
What does the exam involve?
KET has three papers:
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Paper 1 |
Reading & Writing |
1 hour 10 minutes |
The Reading and Writing paper assesses your ability to read and understand factual texts from signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. You need to be able to understand the main messages, and have ways of dealing with unfamiliar words and structures. |
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Paper 2 |
Listening |
30 minutes (approx.) |
The Listening paper assesses your ability to understand recorded material such as announcements and monologues, delivered at a moderate pace, and to understand factual information in the recordings. |
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Paper 3 |
Speaking |
8-10 minutes |
The Speaking Test assesses your ability to interact in conversational English with an examiner and with another candidate. You need to be able to answer and ask questions about yourself and to talk freely about your likes and dislikes. You normally take the Speaking Test in pairs |
Each paper is returned to Cambridge for marking and assessment, except the Speaking Test, which is conducted by two locally based examiners who examine candidates face to face. All examiners are accredited by Cambridge ESOL.
Results
Reading and Writing carries 50% of the total marks, Listening and Speaking both carry 25% of the marks each. There are two pass grades (Pass with merit and Pass) and certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve these grades. Candidates who achieve a grade Narrow Fail or Fail are judged not to have reached the required standard for KET.
Exam scripts are sent to Cambridge ESOL for marking and grading and the results are sent back to the centres. If you have any questions about your results, you should contact the centre where you took the exam.
Once awarded Cambridge ESOL KET certificates are valid for life.
| "I can see my English skills improving after I had taken KET. After taking the exam it can help me a lot. For example, I have more confidence and it helps me improve my speaking skill" _ Panuwat Chuaive, Thailand |
| "I decided to take a Cambridge examination to improve my level of English. I chose Cambridge because it is well-known and has the level of English that I want to achieve" _ Ng Wee Li, Malaysia |
"I have chosen KET because it is an all-in-one test, where I can improve all skills, especially my speaking skill, and where I can clearly learn my strengths and weaknesses for improvement"
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Dao Pham Quynh Tram, Vietnam