How to approach the KET (A2 Key) Listening test: Question types for the 5 parts, answering strategies, and the differences between the computer-based and paper-based exams.

The Listening section of the A2 Key (KET) is about 30 minutes long, consists of 5 parts and 25 questions. Each question is worth 1 point. It is scored as a separate component, accounting for one-quarter of the total score. We covered the entire exam in How to Take the A2 Key and discussed the first paper in Reading and Writing. This article focuses specifically on the Listening section: what each part tests, official tips on how to listen, the differences between the computer-based and paper-based exams, and what practice test scores roughly correspond to in terms of proficiency levels. This information is based on the exam format page on the Cambridge English website, the A2 Key Handbook for Teachers (2024 edition), and Cambridge's official practice score conversion guide. The exam format is the same for both A2 Key for Schools and A2 Key, so the information below applies to both versions.

1. Structure of the Listening Section

• Each recording is played twice, with a pause in between for reading the questions and writing answers;
• The instructions in the recording are the same as those on the question paper (or screen);
• The recordings feature a variety of standard native English accents, and the handbook recommends that students practice listening to different accents;
• The total duration is about 30 minutes: for the computer-based exam, this includes 2 minutes at the end to check answers; for the paper-based exam, it includes 6 minutes at the end to transfer answers to the answer sheet.

2. Differences Between Computer-Based and Paper-Based Exams

3. The Five Parts: What to Expect and How to Listen

The "What to Expect" and "How to Listen" sections below for each part are based on the teacher's handbook.

Part 1: Short Conversations and Image Selection

What to expect: Listening for specific information. There are 5 short recordings, each with one question and three images. Select the image that best answers the question.

How to listen: Read the question and look at the three images first; listen for specific information on the first play and select the best image; use the second play to check your answer, focusing on key information.

Tip (based on experience): Items in all three images might be mentioned in the recording. The key is to listen carefully to determine which one is the actual answer to the question. For example, if the question asks "What did she end up buying?", the conversation might first mention wanting to buy A, but then change to B.

Part 2: Listening to a Monologue and Completing Notes

What to expect: Listening for specific, detailed information (such as prices, times, or phone numbers) and writing it down in note form.

Answering rules: Write only one word, or one number, date, or time per gap. Words spelled out in the recording must be spelled correctly, and common words must also be spelled correctly.

How to listen: Read the instructions first, use the pause to read the headings and each gap, and think about the context and what type of information is needed for each gap; listen and write down your answers on the first play; check your answers on the second play.

Example (created by us, not an actual exam question): The notes say "Swimming lessons start on: ______", and the recording says: "The lessons were going to start on the 3rd of May, but now they'll start on the 10th of May."
The answer is 10 May (or 10th May). The initially mentioned 3rd of May is a distractor; you need to listen for the final "now".

In the answer key for the handbook's sample paper, one answer in Part 2 is written as photo(graph)(s), meaning photo, photograph, photos, and photographs are all accepted. In other words, both singular and plural forms, as well as both variations of the word, are accepted for this question. The exact accepted forms depend on the official marking scheme, but the spelling requirements remain the same.

Part 3: A Conversation and Five Multiple-Choice Questions

What to expect: Understanding details. Listen to an informal conversation and answer 5 multiple-choice questions; the answers come from both speakers, and the questions will also test the speakers' opinions and attitudes.

How to listen: Read and listen to the instructions first to understand the context of the conversation; listen for the general idea and select your answers on the first play; carefully check all answers on the second play, focusing on specific information.

Part 4: Five Short Recordings and Listening for the Main Idea

What to expect: Listening for the main idea. There are 5 short monologues or conversations, each with a one-sentence context introduction, one question, and three options; you may need to determine the speaker's attitude, opinion, and whether they agree with the other person.

How to listen: Read the question and options first; listen for the overall meaning on the first play and select the most appropriate answer; check carefully on the second play.

Tip (based on experience): Part 4 questions ask "why", "what is the topic", or "how does she feel". You need to judge the answer based on the entire passage, so do not just select an option as soon as you hear a word from it.

Part 5: A Conversation and Two-Column Matching

What to expect: Understanding details. Listen to a longer conversation between two acquaintances and match the items in two columns.

How to listen: Read and listen to the instructions first, then read the questions and think about the context of the conversation; note that the words in each column belong to the same category (e.g., family members, birthday gifts); listen for the general idea and select your answers on the first play, and check carefully on the second play.

In the handbook's sample paper, 5 people need to be matched with 8 options (food items). Since one option is used for the example, there will be unused options.

4. What Proficiency Levels Do Practice Test Scores Roughly Correspond To?

Cambridge has provided a conversion table for estimating Listening scale scores using the official practice tests (out of a total of 25):

The official guidelines state that this table only applies to the official practice tests and should be used for reference only; it cannot accurately predict formal exam scores. Students scoring near the cutoff (within about 3 scale points above or below) are advised to continue improving. Simply put: a score of 17 on the Listening practice test roughly corresponds to the starting score of 120 for A2, and a score of 23 roughly corresponds to 140 for B1.

5. Common Reasons for Losing Points

Here is a summary based on experience:

• Choosing an option just because you hear the word: A word from the option appears in the recording, but it refers to something that was negated or changed;
• Not checking on the second play: Losing focus after making a selection on the first play and not using the second play to check;
• Spelling errors in Part 2: Failing to spell names or place names correctly when they are spelled out in the recording, or misspelling common words;
• Writing too much in Part 2: Writing a phrase when only one word or one number is required;
• Confusing similar-sounding numbers: Mixing up numbers with similar pronunciations, such as fifteen and fifty, or thirteen and thirty;
• Leaving blanks: Not writing an answer when unsure. The handbook explicitly states that there is no penalty for wrong answers and encourages students not to leave any blanks;
• Transfer errors in the paper-based exam: Shading the wrong row or missing a row during the 6-minute transfer time.

6. How to Practice

The first six tips below are from the handbook, and the last two are based on our experience:

1. Understand what you are listening to: Help students identify the type of audio (conversation, broadcast, message, etc.) and the purpose of the task, then choose the appropriate listening strategy;
2. Read and listen to the instructions: Ensure students read and clearly hear the instructions for each part, fully understanding what they need to do;
3. Make use of both playbacks: Listen to each audio track twice, using the second playback to check and correct answers;
4. Review the transcript after finishing: After completing a set of questions, compare answers with the audio transcript to identify keywords, clues, and distractors;
5. Leave no blanks: There is no penalty for wrong answers. Make sure every question has an answer before submitting—students often understand more than they think;
6. Go beyond practice tests: Listen to English with different accents and in various contexts; the exam should not be the sole focus;
7. Focus on practicing numbers and spelling: Spend a few minutes every day practicing times, dates, prices, phone numbers, and spelling out letters (practical advice);
8. Practice according to the test format: Students taking the computer-based test should practice answering on a computer, while those taking the paper-based test should practice transferring answers to the answer sheet within 6 minutes (practical advice).

Final Tips

The A2 Key listening test takes about 30 minutes, consists of 5 parts and 25 questions. Each audio track is played twice. It is scored as a separate skill, accounting for one-quarter of the total score. Read the questions first to know what to listen for, answer during the first playback, and check during the second. For Part 2, pay attention to the "one word" requirement and spelling, and never leave a blank even if you are unsure—follow these tips to consistently score well in the listening section. To find out your child's current listening level, you can book a free assessment with us.

Verification note: This article was verified in September 2026. The listening test duration, question types, number of questions, and scoring for the 5 parts are from the A2 Key exam format page on the Cambridge English website. Details such as each audio track being played twice, audio instructions matching the test paper, multiple standard native accents, 2 minutes for checking in the computer-based test and 6 minutes for transferring answers in the paper-based test, answering rules for both formats, content and strategies for each part, the "one word" or number/date/time and spelling requirements in Part 2, answers in Part 3 coming from two speakers testing opinions and attitudes, Part 4 potentially testing attitudes, opinions, and agreement, the two columns of words in Part 5 belonging to the same category, answer formats and number of matching options in the sample paper, no penalty for wrong answers, and preparation advice are from the Cambridge A2 Key Handbook for teachers (2024 edition). The separate scoring and equal weighting of the four skills, as well as the conversion table and instructions for practice test scores to scale scores, are from the Cambridge The Cambridge English Scale explained: A guide to converting practice test scores (2023 edition). The example for Part 2 is created by us and is not an actual test question; the tips for Part 1 and Part 4, common reasons for losing points, and the last two practice tips are based on our practical experience.

References:

• Cambridge English: A2 Key exam format
• Cambridge English: A2 Key Handbook for teachers (PDF)
• Cambridge English: Converting practice test scores to Cambridge English Scale scores (PDF)