The Estonian language exam, explained

The Estonian language proficiency examination (eesti keele tasemeeksam) is run by Harno, the Education and Youth Board. It is sat at four levels — A2, B1, B2 and C1 — and its certificate is the only state proof of Estonian language ability.

Four parts, one day

Every level tests the same four skills: listening (kuulamine), reading (lugemine), writing (kirjutamine) and speaking (rääkimine). The written parts run one after another in the morning. Speaking starts 15–20 minutes after the written part, on the same day, and is recorded so a second marker can assess it from the recording.

• A2 — 1 h 50 min written, then an interview of about 15 minutes.
• B1 — 2 h written, then an interview of up to 20 minutes.
• B2 — 3 h 5 min written, then an interview of up to 20 minutes.
• C1 — 3 h 15 min written, then an interview of up to 20 minutes.

What counts as a pass

You pass on at least 60% of the total and no part scored zero. That is two conditions, not one. B1 is published as 100 points, 25 for each part — so skipping one part entirely fails the exam even if the other three go well.

That is exactly what our mock checks: the result comes back part by part, so you see which part would sink you before the real sitting does.

It costs nothing

Harno charges nothing to sit the exam at any level, and nothing for the certificate. The certificate does not expire — once you hold it, you hold it.

Registering

Each level sits about four times a year, each on its own day. Registration goes through EIS and closes weeks before the sitting. The next dates and their registration deadlines are on the exam dates page.

After the exam

The result arrives within 40 days and appears in eesti.ee and in EIS. You have 30 days to appeal it.

Score below 45%, or fail to turn up without a valid reason, and you may not re-sit the same level for six months. That is one good reason to go only once the mocks say you are ready.

Where to start

• Question bank — drill one part at a time.
• Exam dates — when the next sitting is, what to bring and what time to arrive.
• Plans — if you want every level and feedback on your writing.