How to Take the KET (A2 Key) Speaking Test: Procedures for the Two Parts, Examiner Grading Criteria, and Preparation Strategies

The Speaking section of the A2 Key (KET) is the only face-to-face part of the exam: candidates take it in pairs (occasionally groups of three), with two examiners, lasting 8–10 minutes. It is graded separately and accounts for one-quarter of the total score. We covered the full exam in How to Take the A2 Key, with dedicated articles on Reading and Writing and Listening. This article focuses specifically on Speaking: how the test runs, what the two parts cover, how examiners grade, and how to prepare. This is based on the exam format page on the Cambridge English website, the A2 Key Handbook for Teachers (2024 edition), and the official Cambridge practice score conversion guide. The format for A2 Key for Schools and A2 Key is the same, so the information below applies to both versions.

1. How the Exam Works

• Candidates: The standard format is two candidates taking the test together, occasionally in groups of three; for groups of three, the format remains the same, but the time is extended to 13–15 minutes. Examiners are trained to ensure each candidate gets an equal opportunity to speak;
• Examiners: There are two. One is the interlocutor, who leads the test, sets the tasks, and interacts with the candidates; the other is the assessor, who does not participate in the conversation but only listens and grades. The official website notes that the interlocutor may conduct the test remotely online;
• Topics: Examiners can select from multiple sets of materials for each test;
• Individual Grading: Although candidates take the test together, each candidate is graded on their own performance and is not compared to their partner.

2. Part 1: Answering Questions About Yourself (3–4 minutes)

What is tested: Answering simple questions about yourself, with a focus on social and interactional language. In this part, candidates speak only with the examiner; there is no interaction between candidates.

Two phases:

• Phase 1: The examiner asks each candidate some factual, personal questions in turn, such as their name, whether they are a student or working, and where they live;
• Phase 2: Topic-based Q&A. The examiner first asks each candidate a few short questions about daily life, interests, and preferences, followed by a "Tell me something about …" question that requires an extended answer.

Common Part 1 topics listed in the handbook include: where you live, subjects you study, family, school, hometown, hobbies, and likes and dislikes. The topics in the handbook's sample questions are "friends" and "home".

How to answer (handbook advice):

• It is normal to feel nervous at the beginning; this part uses simple, everyday language, which is designed to help candidates relax and get into the swing of things;
• Listen carefully to the questions and make sure your answers are relevant;
• Avoid giving one-word answers; try to add reasons or examples, but you don't need to give very long answers at this stage;
• If you don't understand, you can ask the examiner to repeat the question.

Example (created by us, not an actual exam question):
Examiner: How often do you see your friends?
Just answering "Every day." is too short; you could say: "I see them every day at school, and at the weekend we sometimes play basketball in the park."—This answers the question and adds a specific example.

3. Part 2: Picture-Based Discussion (5–6 minutes)

Phase 1 (3–4 minutes): Conversation between candidates

• The examiner provides a page of pictures (5 pictures for pairs, 6 for groups of three) centered around a topic, such as different places to eat or leisure activities;
• The examiner asks a question (e.g., "Do you like these different places to eat? Say why.") and then does not participate, letting the candidates discuss with each other for 1–2 minutes;
• After that, the examiner will ask each candidate at least one follow-up question about the pictures (e.g., "Do you think eating on the beach is interesting?"), and finally ask each person a short closing question (e.g., "Which one do you like best?").

Phase 2 (up to 2 minutes): Examiner follow-up questions

• The examiner continues to ask questions on the same topic, and each candidate answers two questions, such as "Do you prefer eating with friends or with family? Why?"

Possible topics listed in the handbook include: activities and places related to daily life, school, leisure activities, transport, towns and cities, and holidays.

How to do it (handbook advice):

• Look at the pictures carefully and identify the activity, place, or thing each picture represents;
• Try to talk about every picture, stating which ones you like or dislike and why;
• Grading focuses on the appropriate use of language and interactive communication skills, not the opinions themselves—there are no right or wrong opinions, but you need to expand on them and respond to your partner, such as agreeing or disagreeing with their ideas, or asking them a question to keep the conversation going.

Example (created by us, not an actual exam question): The topic is different leisure activities.

A: I really like swimming because it's good for my health. What about you?
B: Me too, but I don't like swimming in winter. It's too cold! I prefer playing computer games at home.
A: Really? I think computer games are boring. Do you like reading?
B: Yes, I do. I read comic books every weekend.

In this conversation, both speakers mentioned what they like and why, and used phrases like "What about you?", "Really?", and "Do you like …?" to respond and ask questions, keeping the conversation flowing back and forth.

4. How Examiners Grade

Both examiners give scores, based on the candidate's performance throughout the entire Speaking test:

The maximum raw score for Speaking is 45, and examiners can award half marks. The descriptions for the 5 and 3 score bands in the handbook are roughly as follows (4 falls between the two):

These criteria show that A2-level Speaking does not require flawless fluency. The key is to be able to speak, be understood, and keep the interaction going: you can make your meaning clear using simple grammar and everyday vocabulary, and you can interact back and forth with your partner without needing the examiner to repeatedly prompt you.

What Level Do Practice Scores Correspond To?

Cambridge has provided a conversion table using official practice materials to estimate the Speaking scale score (out of 45):

The official guidelines state that this table is for reference only and cannot accurately predict the actual exam score; students near the cutoff scores are advised to keep improving.

5. Common Reasons for Losing Points

Here is a summary based on experience:

• Answering with only one word: Answer exactly what is asked in Part 1 without adding reasons or examples;
• Memorizing templates: Memorized paragraphs won't match the questions and sound unnatural (the handbook explicitly warns against memorizing fixed paragraphs);
• Talking past each other in Part 2: The two candidates take turns expressing opinions but do not respond to or ask each other questions, showing no interaction;
• Discussing only one or two pictures: The handbook suggests trying to discuss every picture;
• Not asking when you don't understand: Forcing an answer when you don't understand; in fact, asking the examiner to repeat usually does not result in a penalty;
• Speaking too softly or too fast: The examiner might not hear you clearly, which affects your communication.

6. How to Practice

The first six tips below are from the handbook, and the last two are our practical recommendations:

1. Speak English in various scenarios and with different people: Try to practice with different people in various situations;
2. Be able to answer simple questions about yourself: Family, school, hometown, hobbies, likes and dislikes—be able to say a few sentences on each topic;
3. Practice Part 2 with official sample questions: Sample materials are available on the Cambridge English website;
4. Watch sample test videos and take mock tests: Help students become very familiar with the speaking test process;
5. Practice three skills: Expressing likes, dislikes, and personal opinions; expanding answers with reasons; inviting and responding to the partner's opinions to keep the conversation going;
6. Ask for repetition if you don't understand: Asking the examiner or partner to repeat usually does not result in a penalty; do not memorize fixed paragraphs;
7. Prepare a few conversational responses: What about you? / Me too. / Really? Why? / I agree, but... These simple phrases can keep the Part 2 conversation flowing naturally (practical recommendation);
8. Practice with a partner: The speaking test is taken with a partner, so regularly pair up with classmates to practice Part 2 and get used to taking turns speaking and listening (practical recommendation).

Final Thoughts

The KET speaking test lasts 8–10 minutes and consists of two parts: Part 1 involves answering questions about yourself, and Part 2 involves discussing pictures with a partner. Two examiners grade you on four criteria: grammar and vocabulary, pronunciation, interactive communication, and overall performance. They are looking at whether you can convey your meaning clearly in simple English and interact with your partner, rather than the substance of your opinions. Adding reasons to your answers, responding to your partner, asking for repetition when you don't understand, and avoiding memorized templates—doing these things will help you perform consistently in the speaking test. If you want to understand your child's current speaking level, you can book our free assessment.

Verification note: This article was verified in September 2026. The duration of the speaking test, the duration and tasks of the two parts, and the fact that the interlocutor may host the test remotely online are from the A2 Key exam format page on the Cambridge English website. The composition of candidates and examiners, the arrangement of groups of three, examiners selecting from multiple sets of materials, each candidate being graded on individual performance, the progression of each stage in the two parts, the number of pictures, common topics for Part 1 and Part 2, answering tips, grading criteria and band descriptors, scoring methods, the fact that asking the examiner to repeat usually does not result in a penalty, the warning against memorizing fixed paragraphs, and preparation advice are from the Cambridge A2 Key Handbook for teachers (2024 edition). The weightings of each grading criterion, the maximum speaking score of 45, the allowance of half marks, and the conversion table and instructions for practice test scores to scale scores are from The Cambridge English Scale explained: A guide to converting practice test scores (2023 edition). The examples for Part 1 and Part 2 are created by us and are not actual test questions. The common reasons for losing points and the last two practice recommendations are our practical suggestions.

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)