Cambridge English: Key (KET)
This is an examination based on the Council of Europe’s Waystage 1990 Specification. It was introduced in 1994. It provides an initial learning objective for adolescents and adults, enabling learners to meet their basic communication needs in English, and is the first step on the ladder of the five level Cambridge Main Suite examinations.
KET has three components:
Reading / Writing
Candidates are assessed as to their ability to extract factual information from short, simple texts taken from a variety of genuine sources to complete simple texts in writing. Use is made of graphics and a variety of layouts in contextualising and adding to the authenticity of the task. Reading texts are taken from sources such as signs, forms, product packages, guides and newspapers. Texts used for writing include forms and simple messages and letters.
The paper consists of forty objective items relating to a number of reading-based activities; fifteen one-word written responses relating to reading-based activities; and five points relating to a short writing task. The following task types are used: multiple choice, matching, gap filling and form filling.
Listening
Candidates are assessed in their ability to follow short spoken exchanges, and to extract specific information without necessarily understanding every word. Listening texts are adapted from authentic texts or specially written to simulate authenticity. They include informal exchanges, recorded messages and telephone conversations. The delivery speed is at the slow end of normal speech rate.
There are fifteen objective items (multiple choice and matching task types) and ten items requiring short answers (one or two words, a number, etc.). The test lasts for approximately 25 minutes.
Speaking
The Speaking Test has two parts and lasts 8 - 10 minutes. Candidates are tested in pairs by two Examiners (an Interlocutor and an Assessor), and are required to participate in conversations about themselves and other topics, both with the examiner and with each other.
In Part 1 the examiner asks ‘bio-data’ type questions; Part 2 involves candidates asking and answering questions about factual information of a personal or non-personal kind.
Weighting of components
Listening and Speaking each carry 25% of the total marks, and Reading/Writing 50%.
Results
There are two pass grades: ‘Pass’ and ‘Pass With Merit’, and two fail grades: ‘Narrow Fail’ and ‘Fail’. Certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve the passing grades.