Cambridge A2 Key (KET) study plan
Cambridge A2 Key (KET) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Reading and Writing
Map all seven Reading and Writing parts, naming the task type and time budget for each
Sit one full Reading and Writing paper untimed to record a baseline raw score per part
Compile a 200-word personal vocabulary list on everyday topics (home, food, travel, free time) with one example sentence each
Set a per-part target score from the baseline gaps
Your checkpoint
A baseline score sheet showing raw scores for all seven parts plus a 200-word personal vocabulary list with example sentences
Reading and Writing
Skim and scan short notices, signs and messages to answer Part 1 items in under 60 seconds each
Match prompts to short texts in Part 2 by underlining the exact words that link each pair
Eliminate two options before choosing on Part 3 multiple-choice items
Complete 40 Part 1-3 items and score them
Your checkpoint
An answered-item log of 40 Part 1-3 questions with an accuracy percentage and a corrected-clue note written for every wrong answer
Reading and Writing & Listening
Write three 25-35 word messages or notes (Part 6) that each cover all three content points
Write three 25-35 word email replies (Part 7) using a greeting, all content points and a closing
Edit own writing against a checklist of capitals, full stops, spelling and word count
Name the format and instruction type of each of the five Listening parts
Your checkpoint
Six marked writing samples (three Part 6, three Part 7), each scored against a three-point content checklist and a language-error checklist
Listening
Note key words, names and numbers from Listening Part 1 dialogues during a single play
Predict the word type (number, day, place, name) before the audio plays on Part 2 gap-fill items
Answer Parts 3-5 by tracking the speaker's meaning rather than single words heard
Sit one full Listening paper and score it part by part
Your checkpoint
One complete Listening paper scored per part, with a list of the ten most frequently missed words, numbers or spellings
Reading and Writing & Listening
Complete a full Reading and Writing paper inside the 60-minute limit
Reach 75% or better across Parts 1-5 combined
Re-check spelling and word count on Parts 5, 6 and 7 before submitting
Review the Listening paper and re-listen to the two weakest parts
Your checkpoint
A timed Reading and Writing paper with per-part scores and a ranked list of the three weakest parts with one fix written for each
Speaking
Deliver a two-minute self-introduction covering name, home, work or study and free time
Ask and answer three questions about a picture prompt in complete short sentences
Sustain a four-to-five-minute interaction with a partner or a recorded prompt
Review recordings and correct hesitation fillers and mispronounced everyday words
Your checkpoint
Three five-minute audio recordings with a self-rating sheet scored against grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and interactive communication
Reading and Writing & Listening & Speaking
Sit a full mock exam under official timings across Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking
Classify every error by cause: unknown word, misread instruction, time pressure or carelessness
Rank error causes by frequency and pick the top 15 items to repair
Your checkpoint
A full mock answer sheet with an error-cause tally and a ranked 15-item repair list
Reading and Writing & Listening & Speaking
Drill each of the 15 repair items until it is answered correctly twice in a row
Repeat the two weakest Reading parts under strict timing and beat the week-7 score
Re-record one speaking set and compare it against the week-6 recording
Sit a second full mock and compare the total against the week-7 total
Your checkpoint
A second full mock score sheet compared side by side with week 7, plus a written pass/fail judgement against a 70% target
Milestones
Week 2: Baseline Reading and Writing accuracy has improved by at least 10 percentage points on Parts 1-3, measured against the week-1 baseline sheet
Week 4: Six writing samples each cover all content points, and the full Listening paper scores at least 60% overall
Week 6: Three speaking recordings are complete, each running the full time, with self-ratings recorded against all four speaking criteria
Week 8: Second mock total is higher than the week-7 total in every domain and reaches at least 70% overall