Helpdesk Training Article
Paper-based A2 Key will be withdrawn at the end of 2026.
Below are answers to questions you may have:
Why are we withdrawing paper-based A2 Key?
As candidates are increasingly reaching A2 level at a younger age, numbers taking the standard A2 Key exam have decreased over the past few years as they have switched to A2 Key for Schools and to the digital exam. Therefore, it has been decided to withdraw paper-based A2 Key at the end of 2026 as the small numbers make it unviable.
What alternatives are there?
A2 Key Digital will still be available. With the launch of Cambridge English Qualifications Digital, digital is becoming an increasingly popular option as it gives users much more flexibility to choose dates that suit them, as well as providing faster results and a test that puts candidates in control and reflects their real-world experience.
Over half of candidates taking standard A2 Key are aged under 16. A2 Key for Schools is a good alternative for these candidates as the content is better suited to school-aged learners. A2 Key for Schools will continue in both paper-based and digital formats.
Will this affect how candidates prepare?
Teachers and candidates should continue to prepare for the exam in the same way. The only change is to the mode of delivery if they take the exam digitally, or to the topics and content if they choose to do A2 Key for Schools.
If candidates take A2 Key for Schools, will their qualification have the same recognition as A2 Key?
Candidates taking A2 Key for Schools get the same certificate as those taking A2 Key – it doesn’t say ‘for Schools’ on the certificate and has the same recognition.
When will this happen?
The final session will be on Thursday 3 December, after which the paper-based exam will be withdrawn.
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