Key English Test (KET)
KET is Cambridge ESOL's exam which recognises the ability to deal with everyday written and spoken English at a basic level.
There are two versions of KET available: KET and KET for Schools. Both follow exactly the same format and the level of the question papers is identical. The only difference is that the content and treatment of topics in KET for Schools have been particularly targeted at the interests and experience of school pupils.
Is KET for you?
- Do you have basic English skills?
- Can you understand simple written English?
- Can you communicate in familiar situations?
- Can you understand short notices and simple spoken directions?
If this describes your skills now, or describes the level of skills you are working towards, then KET is the right exam for you.
What will KET do for you?
Cambridge ESOL is a department of the world-famous and historic University of Cambridge. Attaining one of its certificates is an achievement and a reward in itself. However, there are many other benefits to taking KET:
- a KET certificate is valid for life. You will not need to take the exam again
- KET is a truly international certificate, recognised around the world for business and study purposes
- thousands of employers, universities and government departments officially recognise KET as a basic qualification in English
- although KET is a basic exam, it offers a chance to find out your strengths and weaknesses in using English, and gives you a pathway to higher qualifications such as the Preliminary English Test (PET) and First Certificate in English (FCE)
- KET's 'Can Do' skills give you the confidence to use English in real situations.
'I decided to take the examination because Cambridge is a very famous university. After I took it, my English skills improved and I have experience of taking an international exam. Thank you.'
Karan Ulhaka — KET candidate
What will taking KET help you do?
KET is at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. The framework uses six levels to describe language ability from A1 to C2. 'Can Do' statements have been used to describe these levels in terms of real language skills.
At A2 level, typical users can be expected to:
- understand and use everyday expressions and basic phrases
- introduce themselves and answer basic questions about your personal details
- interact with English speakers who talk slowly and clearly.
Your preparation for KET will give you these kinds of practical language skills.
What is involved in taking the KET exam?
KET has three papers:
Reading and Writing: 1 hour 10 minutes
You will need to be able to understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. You will also have to fill gaps in simple sentences and write a short piece of around 25 words.
Listening: 30 minutes
You need to show your ability to understand announcements and other spoken material when spoken reasonably slowly.
Speaking: up to 10 minutes
You will need to demonstrate you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Speaking tests are normally held with two candidates.
Supporting you
As with all of Cambridge ESOL's certificates, there is a wide range of support to help you prepare for your exam.
While you can choose to prepare for KET on your own, many candidates prefer to take the preparation courses run by private language schools and universities in many countries.
You can access a variety of support materials from the Resources area of our website. These include a short booklet, Information for Candidates, and sample exam papers, which include sound files for the Listening test materials.
Many publishers have produced a wide choice of books and other aids to help you prepare for taking KET. Ask your local bookshop for details.
To help you prepare for KET, we provide your teachers with their own website so they can download sample exam papers, handbooks, and other teaching support material.
Resources available
- KET sample papers, (ZIP 17.9Mb)
- KET Information for Candidates, (PDF 763.6Kb)
- Order past papers
- Books for study
- KET Exam details and timetables for 2008
- KET Exam details and timetables for 2009
- KET Exam details and timetables for 2010
- Summary regulations for candidates (PDF 59Kb)
- Exam FAQs
- KET Teaching Resource and KET teacher downloads (including exam handbook and exam reports)
A world of opportunities — worldwide recognition
- KET is a truly international certificate, recognised by administrative, industrial, and service-based employers as a qualification in intermediate English.
- It is also accepted by many educational institutions for study purposes.
- Companies such as Epson, Nestlé, Motorola and KPMG all recognise the value of KET in their overseas offices.
Find more details on the organisations and universities that recognise KET.
'I took [KET]... because it provided an assessment of practical skills, and encouraged the development of my abilities which can be used in study. After I took the KET exam, I can see my English skills improving. This year, I will take PET exam.'
Thanarak Srijaroensuk — KET candidate
English for your future
- KET offers an easy to understand pathway to other, higher qualifications such as the Preliminary English Test (PET) and First Certificate in English (FCE).
- KET's 'Can Do' skills enable you to use English in real situations with confidence. KET exams use real-life situations and are especially designed to help you communicate more effectively in your own life and to focus your language learning on the skills you will actually need.
- Because KET exams focus on all four communication skills — Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking — you increase your confidence in using English in everyday situations.
Your results
Reading and Writing carries 50% of the total marks for KET, while Listening and Speaking both carry 25% of the marks each.
Candidates can access their results through the Cambridge ESOL Results Online website.
There are two Pass grades, Pass and Pass with Merit.
Candidates judged not to have reached the required standard for KET receive the grades Narrow Fail or Fail.
All candidates are given an exam report explaining how they performed in each of the papers.
Certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve Pass grades. Once awarded, Cambridge ESOL KET certificates are valid for life.
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.
Exam dates
| Reading and Writing (Paper 1), 1 hour 10 minutes |
|
|---|---|
| Listening (Paper 2), 30 minutes |
|
| Speaking (Paper 3), Up to 10 minutes |
This paper is held by separate arrangement, within specified periods — contact your centre for more details. UK
Overseas
|
Exam dates for computer-based KET
| CB KET |
|
|---|
Next steps
Register
If you are studying English at the moment, speak to your teacher about how to enrol.
If you are not studying at the moment, your nearest Cambridge ESOL exam centre will be able to advise you about how to register, fees, the dates of the exam and other arrangements. We have more than 2,000 centres in 130 countries. Please note that centres may set registration deadlines that are earlier than those published.
Entries cannot be made directly to Cambridge ESOL.
Already registered? Visit the Candidate Support site for exam preparation help.
If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) it may be possible to ask for Special Arrangements to be made when taking the exam.
