Cambridge English Qualifications
A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools exams changes
2020 Exam changes guide Grades changes
Modified Reading and Writing: shorter Exam grades have changed to be in line with
Reading (30 items instead of 55) and extended higher level Cambridge English Qualifications:
Writing (2 tasks instead of 1). Pass with Distinction
Modified Speaking: part 2 has changed
to include a collaborative task similar to Pass with Merit
the main suite to improve the reliability Pass
of enhanced certification.
2020 A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools exams summary
READING & WRITING LISTENING SPEAKING
Time 60 minutes 30 minutes 8-10 minutes per pair
Parts 5 Reading + 2 Writing 5 2
Questions 30 Reading + Writing 25 n/a
2 new tasks 1 new task 1 new task
2 revised tasks some parts are in
Summary some parts are in a different order
of changes a different order and some
are shorter (current exam:
9 parts, 56 questions)
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2020 A2 Key and A2 Key for Schools exam specification
New tasks Revised tasks
READING & WRITING
No of
Part Task Task focus Format What changed?
questions
1 Multiple- Overall understanding of Six discrete 3-option multiple-choice items New task 6
choice notices, messages and – short emails, text messages,
emails. web messages and notices.
2 Matching Reading for specific Three short texts with 7 multiple choice Revised task 7
information and detailed questions (A, B or C).
comprehension. = Part 4 (current exam)
but with 3 multiple-
choice option A,B,C (not
Right, Wrong, Doesn’t Say)
3 Multiple- Reading for detailed A longer text adapted from authentic No change 5
choice understanding and main newspaper/magazine followed by five
ideas. 3-option multiple choice questions. = Part 4 (current exam)
4 3-option Reading and identifying A text with 6 gaps followed by six 3-option No change 6
multiple- appropriate word. Main multiple-choice task.
choice gap-fill focus on vocabulary with = Part 5 (current exam),
maximum of 2 grammatical but shorter
items.
5 Open gap-fill Reading and identifying A text with 6 open gaps. Add words to No change 6
appropriate word, with complete the text.
focus on grammar. = Part 7 (current exam),
but shorter
6 Writing – Writing a communicative A short input text or rubric to prompt Revised task 1
short message note or email. a written response with three content
(25+ words) points to communicate.
7 Writing – Writing connected text A 3-picture prompt which elicits a narrative New task 1
short story – a short story or narrative. or description.
(35+ words)
LISTENING
No of
Part Task Task focus Format What changed?
questions
1 Multiple- Listening to identify specific Five short dialogues and five discrete No change 5
choice short information. 3-option multiple-choice items with visuals.
texts = Part 1 (current exam)
2 Gap fill Listening and writing down Longer monologue and five gaps to fill with No change 5
information. one or more words and numbers.
= Part 5 (current exam)
3 Multiple- Listening to identify specific Longer dialogue. Five gaps to fill with one No change 5
choice long information, feelings, or more words or numbers.
text opinions. = Part 3 (current exam)
4 Multiple Listening to identify the Short informal or neutral monologues or New task 5
choice main idea/message/gist/ dialogues. Five discrete 3-option multiple-
topic/point. choice items with written options.
5 Matching Listening to identify specific Longer informal dialogue. Five items and No change 5
information. eight options.
= Part 2 (current exam)
SPEAKING
Part Task Task focus Format What changed? Time
1 Introduction Focus on international and Candidates give personal information No change 3-4
social language. about their daily life, interests, likes, minutes
followed by a longer “Tell me something = Part 1 (current exam)
about…” question.
2 Collaborative Organising a larger unit A discussion between candidates based New task 5-6
task of discourse; comparing, on visual prompts covering an appropriate minutes
describing, expressing topic, i.e. holidays. The discussion is
opinions. followed by 2 questions asked by an
examiner to each candidate.
