KET is Cambridge ESOL's exam, which recognises the ability to deal with everyday written and spoken English at a basic level.

There are two versions of KET available: KET and KET for Schools. Both follow exactly the same format and the level of the question papers is identical. The only difference is that the content and treatment of topics in KET for Schools have been particularly targeted at the interests and experience of school pupils.

Who is KET for?

Do you have basic English skills?

Can you understand simple written English

Can you communicate in familiar situations?

Can you understand short notices and simple spoken directions?

If this describes your skills now, or describes the level of skills you are working towards, then KET is the right exam for you.

What will KET do for you?

Cambridge ESOL is a department of the world-famous and historic University of Cambridge. Attaining one of its certificates is an achievement and a reward in itself. However, there are many other benefits to taking KET:  a KET certificate is valid for life. You will not need to take the exam again.  KET is a truly international certificate, recognised around the world for business and study purposes thousands of employers, universities and government departments officially recognise KET as a basic qualification in English although KET is a basic exam, it offers a chance to find out your strengths and weaknesses in using English, and gives you a pathway to higher qualifications such as the Preliminary English Test (PET) and First Certificate in English (FCE).  KET's 'Can Do' skills give you the confidence to use English in real situations.

What will taking KET help you do?

KET is at Level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — an internationally recognised benchmark of language ability. The framework uses six levels to describe language ability from A1 to C2. 'Can Do' statements have been used to describe these levels in terms of real language skills.

At A2 level, typical users can be expected to:

understand and use everyday expressions and basic phrases

introduce themselves and answer basic questions about your personal details

interact with English speakers who talk slowly and clearly.

Your preparation for KET will give you these kinds of practical language skills.

What is involved in taking the KET exam?

KET has three papers:

Reading and Writing: 1 hour 10 minutes

You will need to be able to understand simple written information such as signs, brochures, newspapers and magazines. You will also have to fill gaps in simple sentences and write a short piece of around 25 words.

Listening: 30 minutes

You need to show your ability to understand announcements and other spoken material when spoken reasonably slowly.

Speaking: up to 10 minutes

You will need to demonstrate you can take part in a conversation by answering and asking simple questions. Speaking tests are normally held with two candidates.

Expressway Anglais is a great means to help you Preparing

As with all of Cambridge ESOL's certificates, working one-to-one with Expressway Anglais is an ideal way of preparing for your exam.

While you can choose to prepare for KET on your own, many candidates prefer to take the preparation courses run by private language schools and universities in many countries.

A world of opportunities — worldwide recognition

KET is a truly international certificate, recognised by administrative, industrial, and service-based employers as a qualification in intermediate English.

It is also accepted by many educational institutions for study purposes.

Companies such as Epson, Nestlé, Motorola and KPMG all recognise the value of KET in their overseas offices.

English for your future

KET offers an easy to understand pathway to other, higher qualifications such as the Preliminary English Test (PET) and First Certificate in English (FCE).

KET's 'Can Do' skills enable you to use English in real situations with confidence. KET exams use real-life situations and are especially designed to help you communicate more effectively in your own life and to focus your language learning on the skills you will actually need.

Because KET exams focus on all four communication skills — Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking — you increase your confidence in using English in everyday situations.

Your results

•Reading and Writing carries 50% of the total marks for KET, while Listening and Speaking both carry 25% of the marks each.

•Candidates can access their results through the Cambridge ESOL Results Online website.

•There are two Pass grades, Pass and Pass with Merit.

•Candidates judged not to have reached the required standard for KET receive the grades Narrow Fail or Fail.

•All candidates are given an exam report explaining how they performed in each of the papers.

•Certificates are awarded to candidates who achieve Pass grades. Once awarded, Cambridge ESOL KET certificates are valid for life.

•Exam scripts are sent to Cambridge ESOL for marking and grading and the results are sent back to the centres. If you have any questions about your results, you should contact the centre where you took the exam.

Exam dates

KET Exam details and timetables for 2009

KET Exam details and timetables for 2010

Next steps

Register

If you are studying English at the moment, speak to your teacher about how to enrol.

If you are not studying at the moment, your nearest Cambridge ESOL exam centre will be able to advise you about how to register, fees, the dates of the exam and other arrangements.

Please note that centres may set registration deadlines that are earlier than those published.

Entries cannot be made directly to Cambridge ESOL.

If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) it may be possible to ask for Special Arrangements to be made when taking the exam.

If you have any questions, please contact Expressway Anglais.