KET (Key English Test) is part of a comprehensive range of exams developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment. Cambridge English exams have similar characteristics but are designed for different purpose and different levels of English language ability. Cambridge English: Key is at Level A2 (Waystage) of the Council’s Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It has also been accredited in the UK as an Entry Level 2 ESOL certificate in the UK’s National Qualifications Framework.

Examination	Council of Europe Framework Level	UK National Qualifications Framework Level
CPE: Certificate of Proficiency in English (Cambridge English: Proficiency)	C2	3
CAE: Certificate in Advanced English (Cambridge English: Advanced)	C1	2
FCE: First Certificate in English (Cambridge English: First)	B2	1
PET: Preliminary English Test (Cambridge English: Preliminary)	B1	Entry 3
KET: Key English Test (Cambridge English: Key)	A2	Entry 2

Cambridge English: Key is accepted by employers, further education and government departments for business, study and immigration purposes. It is also useful preparation for higher level exams, such as Cambridge English: Preliminary and Cambridge English: First.

Cambridge English: Key is a great first step in English. Preparing for the exam will build your confidence in dealing with everyday written and spoken English at a basic level, for example expressing and understanding simple opinions; filling in forms; and writing short, simple letters.

Cambridge English: Key is also available in a version with exam content and topics specifically targeted at the interests and experience of school-aged learners. Cambridge English: Key for schools, also known as the Key English Test (KET) for Schools, follows exactly the same format and level and leads to the same certificate as Cambridge English: Key.

OVERVIEW OF THE EXAM

PAPER 1: READING AND WRITING

• Timing: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Paper format: The Reading section contains five parts. The Writing section contains four parts.
• Sources: Authentic and adapted-authentic real-world notices, newspaper and magazine articles, simplified encyclopaedia entries.
• Marks: Each item carries one mark, except for question 56 (Part 5), which is marked out of 5. This gives a total of 60 marks, which is weighted to a final mark out of 50. This represents 50% of the total marks for the whole examination.

READING

There are 35 questions in Reading.

Parts 1 – 5 test a range of reading skills with a variety of texts, ranging from very short notices to longer continuous texts.

Test focus:

Assessment of candidates’ ability to understand the meaning of written English at word, phrase, sentence, paragraph and whole text level.

Part 1 (5 questions)

• Task type and format:

Matching.

Matching five prompt sentences to eight notices, plus an example.

• Task focus:

Gist understanding of real-world notices. Reading for main message.

Part 2 (5 questions)

• Task type and format:

Three-option multiple choice.

Five sentences (plus an integrated example) with connecting link of topic or storyline.

• Task focus:

Reading and identifying appropriate vocabulary.

Part 3 (10 questions)

• Task type and format:

Three-option multiple choice.

Five descrete three-option multiple-choice items (plus an example) focusing on verbal exchange patterns.

And

Matching.

Five matching items (plus an example) in a continuous dialogue, selecting from eight possible responses.

• Task focus:

Functional language.

Reading and identifying the appropriate response.

Part 4 (7 questions)

• Task type and format:

Right/Wrong/Doesn’t say OR Three-option multiple choice.

One long text ore three short texts adapted from authentic newspaper or magazine articles.

Seven three-option multiple choice items or Right/Wrong/Doesn’t say items, plus an example.

• Task focus:

Reading for detailed understanding and main idea(s).

Part 5 (8 questions)

• Task type and format:

Multiple–choice cloze.

A text adapted from an original source, for example an encyclopaedia, newspaper or magazine article.

Eight three-option multiple-choice items, plus an integrated example.

• Task focus:

Reading and identifying appropriate structural words (auxiliary verbs, model verbs, determiners, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions, etc.).

WRITING

There are 21 questions in Writing.

Parts 6 – 9 concentrate on testing basic writing skills.

Test focus:

Assessment of candidates’ ability to produce simple written English, ranging from one-word answers to a short piece of continuous text.

Part 6 (5 questions)

• Task type and format:

Word completion.

Five dictionary definition type sentences (plus an example).

Five words to identify and spell.

• Task focus:

Reading and identifying appropriate vocabulary, and spelling.

Part 7 (10 questions)

• Task type and format:

Open cloze.

Text type that candidates can be expected to write, for example a short letter or email.

Ten spaces to fill with one word which must be spelled correctly, (plus an integrated example).

• Task focus:

Reading and identifying appropriate words, with a focus on structure and/or vocabulary.

Part 8 (5 questions)

• Task type and format:

Information transfer.

Two short authentic texts (emails, adverts, etc.) to prompt complete of another text (form, note, etc.).

Five spaces to fill with one or more words or numbers (plus an integrated example).

• Task focus:

Reading and writing appropriate words or numbers, with a focus on content and accuracy.

Part 9 (1 question)

• Task type and format:

Guided writing.

Either a short input text or a rubric to prompt a written response.

Three messages to communicate in writing.

• Task focus:

Writing a short message, note, email or postcard of 25-35 words

PAPER 2 – LISTENING

• Timing: 30 minutes (including 8 minutes transfer time)
• Content: Five parts, ranging from short exchanges to longer dialogues and monologues.
• Test focus: Assessment of candidates’ ability to understand dialogues and monologues in both informal and neutral settings on range of every topic.
• Sources: All texts are based on authentic situations, and each part is heard twice.
• Marks: Each item carries one mark. This gives a total of 25 marks, which represents 25% of the total marks for the examination.

Part 1 (5 questions)

• Task type and format:

Three-option multiple choice.

Short, neutral or informal dialogues.

Five discrete three-option multiple-choice items with pictures (plus an example).

• Task focus:

Listening to identify key information (times, prices, days of the week, numbers, etc.).

Part 2 (5 questions)

• Task type and format:

Matching.

Longer information dialogue.

Five items (plus an integrated example) and eight options.

• Task focus:

Listening to identify key information.

Part 3 (5 questions)

• Task type and format:

Three-option multiple choice.

Longer informal or neutral dialogue.

Five three-option multiple-choice items (plus an integrated example).

• Task focus:

Taking the role of one of the speakers and listening to identify key information.

Part 4 (5 questions)

• Task type and format:

Gap-fill.

Longer neutral or informal dialogue.

Five gaps to fill with one or more words or numbers (plus an integrated example).

Recognisable spelling is accepted, except with very high-frequency words (e.g. bus, red) or if spelling is dictated.

• Task focus:

Listening and writing down information (including spelling of names, places, etc. as dictated on recording).

Part 5 (5 questions)

• Task type and format:

Gap-fill.

Longer neutral or informal monologue.

Five gaps to fill with one or more words or numbers (plus an integrated example). Recognisable spelling is accepted, except with very high- frequency words (e.g. bus, red) or if spelling is dictated.

• Task focus:
• Listening and writing down information (including spelling of names, places, etc. as dictated on recording).

PAPER 3 – SPEAKING

• Timing: 8-10 minutes per pair of candidates
• Content: Two parts: In Part 1, candidates interact with examiner. In Part 2, they interact with another candidate.
• Test focus: Assessment of candidates’ ability to answer and ask questions about themselves and about factual, non-personal information.
• Marks: Candidates are assessed on their performance throughout the test. There are a total of 25 marks, making 25% of the total score for the whole examination.

Part 1 (5-6 minutes)

• Task type and format:

Each candidate interacts with the interlocutor.

The interlocutor asks the candidates questions.

The interlocutor follows an interlocutor frame to guide the conversation, ensure standardization, and control the level of input.

• Task focus:

Language normally associated with meeting people for the first time, giving information of a factual, personal kind. Bio-data type questions to respond to.

Part 2 (3-4 minutes)

• Task type and format:
• Task focus: Factual information of a non-personal kind related to daily life

(From Cambridge English Key – Authentic Examination papers from Cambridge English Language Assessment)

 

Online KET Exam Preparation courses are available:

Course Description:

Duration: 62 hours

Content:

• 20 Grammar Topics
• 20 Vocabulary Topics
• 5 Lessons on Listening skill
• 5 Lessons on Reading skill
• 4 Lessons on Writing skill
• 2 Lessons on Speaking skill
• 20 Full Practice Tests (each includes 4 skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
• 2 Full Tests (marked and results are delivered)

Schedule: (Time Zone: Indochina Time)

Morning

8:30 – 9:30

9:30 – 10:30

10:30 – 11:30

 Afternoon

14:30 – 15:30

15:30 – 16:30

16:30 – 17:30

Evening

18:00 – 19:00

19:00 – 20:00

20:00 – 21:00

Teachers: 70% Vietnamese English Teacher; 30% Native English Teacher.

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