How to prepare for the Estonian exam

Most people do not fail because Estonian is too hard. They fail because exam day is the first time they do the whole paper at once, against the clock.

Start from the end

Look first at what actually happens: the exam starts at 10.00 exactly and latecomers are not admitted, the written part runs from 1 h 50 min to 3 h 15 min depending on the level, and speaking starts 15–20 minutes after the written part. The whole day is set out on the exam dates page.

Four things to practise exactly as the exam does them

• A full-length paper, timed. One whole sitting, no breaks, no phone. Two or three times before the exam.
• By hand, in black or blue ink. The paper is hand-written. Two months of practice on a keyboard and the pen is a surprise on the day.
• One answer, not two. On a multiple-choice item, two marks count as a wrong answer.
• Speak out loud and record yourself. The interview is recorded, and a second marker assesses it from that recording. Listening back is how you hear where your sentences break.

Decide on the result, not on the feeling

A pass needs at least 60% and, separately, no part scored zero. Sit a mock, read the result part by part, and drill the weakest part — not the one you enjoy.

Registration closes weeks before the sitting, so the decision comes earlier than the exam does. And a score below 45% blocks the same level for six months — that is what going too early costs.

The last three weeks

• One full-length mock a week, always in the morning. Start here.
• One short set a day from the question bank, from your weakest part.
• Check your identity document is valid and that you know how you get to the venue.

Still choosing a level? See the levels guide. Weighing up a course? See this one. Plans are here.