Preparing for the KET exam? A printable KET practice test PDF lets you review questions, test your knowledge offline, and build the exam readiness that timed, screen-based testing demands. KET (Key English Test) is Cambridge Assessment English's beginner-level qualification, now branded A2 Key, and it certifies English ability at CEFR level A2. Whether you are studying at home, commuting, or revisiting weak areas on paper, a printed practice test remains one of the most effective preparation formats available. This page provides a free PDF download and a structured study guide for the KET / A2 Key examination.
A2 Key assesses candidates across three papers that combine into one overall score on the Cambridge English Scale: Reading and Writing (60 minutes, worth 50% of the total marks), Listening (about 30 minutes, worth 25%), and Speaking (8–10 minutes, taken with another candidate, worth 25%). Because Reading and Writing counts for half the score, it deserves proportionally more practice time, but Listening and Speaking should not be neglected since together they make up the other half. Use this PDF alongside the online KET practice tests on this site for the most complete preparation experience — paper for review and annotation, online for timed simulation with instant scoring.
The Reading and Writing paper has seven parts covering vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension of short texts and signs, and guided writing tasks including a short message of 25 words or more. The Listening paper has five parts based on everyday recordings — announcements, conversations, and monologues — each tested once or twice. The Speaking paper is conducted face-to-face (or online) with an examiner and one other candidate, and covers a short interview, a picture-based description task, and a discussion.
Candidates are graded on the Cambridge English Scale (typically 100–150 for this exam); results of 140 or higher earn Grade A, 133–139 Grade B, and 120–132 Grade C, all of which certify A2 level, while a strong result (typically 122+) can also indicate CEFR A1 achievement for borderline candidates. Review the official exam format page from Cambridge English to confirm current timings and part counts before your test date, as details are updated periodically.
Print the PDF, set a timer proportional to the number of questions, and complete each section without reference materials to simulate real exam conditions. After grading, categorize every incorrect answer by paper (Reading and Writing, Listening, or Speaking) to build a targeted error log. Prioritize re-study in your weakest paper, then take an additional timed practice session to confirm improvement. Repeat the cycle until accuracy is consistently above 75% across all three papers.
Before attempting practice tests, review Cambridge English's official A2 Key handbook and sample papers, which list exactly what vocabulary, grammar, and task types are tested at this CEFR A2 level. Read these materials first — they tell you not only what to study but also the exact format of each of the three papers. Allocate study time in proportion to each paper's weight: Reading and Writing is worth 50% of the total score, so it merits the largest share of practice time, followed by Listening and Speaking at 25% each.
Once you have reviewed the format, move to practice testing. Each practice test session should be treated as a diagnostic: the questions you answer incorrectly are more valuable than the ones you answer correctly. Keep an error log organized by paper (Reading and Writing, Listening, Speaking) and by task type within each paper. After three to four practice tests, patterns in your errors — such as consistently losing marks on gapped-sentence questions or short-message writing — will become clear. These patterns tell you exactly where to concentrate additional study effort.
In the week before the KET / A2 Key exam, focus on review rather than new learning. Take one full-length timed practice test to confirm readiness, then spend the remaining days reviewing your error log and practicing spoken answers aloud for the Speaking paper. Avoid cramming new vocabulary lists in the final 48 hours — consolidation of existing knowledge and confidence with the exam format is more valuable at that stage than attempting to add new content.
After completing this PDF, take full online KET practice tests at KET practice test — instant scoring with explanations for every answer. Use both formats together: this PDF for offline review and annotation, the online tests for timed simulation with immediate feedback. Together they give you the most complete KET exam preparation available on a single platform.
Try these questions from our free KET - Key English Test practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A sports coach says: 'Practice is normally on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but this week we're moving Thursday's session to Friday because of a school event.' When is practice this week?
Answer: C. Tuesday and Friday
Tuesday stays the same, but Thursday's practice moves to Friday this week.
CAFE SIGN Today's Special Offer Buy any large coffee and get a free croissant! (Offer available until 11 am only)
Answer: D. You must buy a large coffee in the morning to get a free croissant.
The sign specifies two conditions for the free croissant: you must 'Buy any large coffee' and the offer is only 'available until 11 am', which is in the morning.
Which sentence correctly describes a candidate's daily routine for the KET speaking test?
Answer: B. I wake up at seven every day and then I go to school.
'I wake up at seven every day and then I go to school' uses correct present simple tense and natural word order.
In the KET speaking test, if the examiner asks 'Where are you from?', which response is most appropriate?
Answer: A. I am from Mexico City.
Directly stating your place of origin with 'I am from...' is the clearest and most natural answer to this question.