Estonian language proficiency examinations

You can register for the examinations throughout the year. Registration for the Estonian language proficiency examination ends on the 1st of the month preceding the exam. You can register for one exam at a time.

There are several ways to register for the Estonian language proficiency examination:

• By logging in electronically to the Test Database EIS
  Note! When registering, it is mandatory to provide a valid email address! You cannot register without an email address!
• Send a digitally signed application with a copy of your document via [email protected].
• Submit a paper application directly to the Education and Youth Board. When sending the application by post, a copy of your ID must be included. When submitting your application at our reception at the Education and Youth Board, you must also bring and present you ID. The Education and Youth Board’s address is A. H. Tammsaare tee 47, 11316 Tallinn. If the application is filed by an authorized person, he or she must submit with the application the power of attorney of the applicant as well as his or her own identity document.

The application form can be downloaded here | 33.24 KB | docx .

Instructions for registering for the exam in the Test Database (EIS) can be found.

EIS Testide andmekogus registreerumise juhend | 607.23 KB | pdf

The forms are also available at all our regional information points.

A person applying for Estonian citizenship who is at least 65 years old is exempt from the B1-level language exams writing test (essay).

He/she has to pass three parts of the exam: listening, reading, and speaking. In order to take advantage of this option, you must select the ‘B1 level* (Citizenship applicant who is 65 years of age and over)’ option in your registration application.

Registration can be canceled no later than four (4) working days before the examination date!

Registration can be cancelled 24 hours a day by writing to [email protected] (be sure to include your personal identification number!) or by calling +372 735 0500 Monday-Friday 9:00–17:00.

An applicant who is absent from the exam without a valid reason or whose exam result is below 45 percent of the possible score can re-register for the exam after six months. An applicant who is absent from the exam due to a valid reason (e.g., health) and who wants to take the exam before six months have passed must submit a free form explanation, proof of the reason for the absence, and a new application to register for the next exam to Harno within 14 days.

The exam notice, which states the time and place of the exam and consultation, as well as all other necessary information, is sent to the-mail address indicated on the exam application. The Estonian language proficiency exam notice will be sent out no later than 14 days before the examination.

You can see the results of the Estonian language proficiency exam by logging into the Test Database (EIS) or the state portal no later than 40 days after taking the exam. Results will not be released over the phone. The Estonian language proficiency exam certificate is issued electronically. Certificates are not issued on paper.

Electronic certificates are available on the state portal www.eesti.ee. After taking the examination, you will receive a notice stating the results and a unique number of your e-certificate. This notice will be sent to you by post or e-mail that you have stated on your application. Knowing your e-certificate number and personal ID number is sufficient for proving language proficiency to the employer. The employer can check the truth and validity of the employee's proficiency examination certificate from the examinations information system (EIS) by entering the employee's personal identification code and certificate number.
All officials (language inspectors, notaries, relevant employees of the citizenship and migration divisions of the Police and Border Guard Board) are also able to check certificates by certificate number online.

The electronic certificate has the same legal force as the certificate in hard copy. The e-certificate is supplemented with a digital stamp, which guarantees that the document is authentic.

However, if you want, the e-certificate can also be downloaded from www.eesti.ee. Also, if needed, our customer service office (Lõõtsa 4, Tallinn) can provide certified printouts of e-certificates upon request. This is a paid service: one A4 page – 1 euro. Payments are to be made on site in cash only.

All the certificates previously issued in hard copy remain valid. If your previous hard copy certificate has been lost or destroyed, we will issue a new e-certificate as a replacement.

• Recommendations for downloading the e-certificate from the state portal eesti.ee are available HERE .
• Recommendations for third persons (incl. employers) on checking e-certificates on the state portal eesti.ee are available HERE .

Duplicates

In case your Estonian language proficiency examination certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you do not have to take the examination again: there is an option of requesting a duplicate.  The duplicate has the same legal force as the original.

A duplicate may be requested in the following cases:

• the text of the initial document has become barely legible;
• discrepancies or misrepresentation of the data entered in the initial document have been discovered;
• the initial document has been destroyed, lost or stolen;
• the initial document has been legalised or apostilled pursuant to the procedure established by law.

The person wishing to request a duplicate is to file an application with Education and Youth Board for the duplicate to be issued, stating the following information:

• the applicant’s first name and surname;
• personal ID code;
• address, contact telephone number;
• the date of the examination and the language level;
• the date of filing the application and signature.

If the text of the initial document has become barely legible or discrepancies or misrepresentation of the data entered in the initial document have been discovered, the initial document is to be attached to the application.

We will issue the duplicate within 30 days after the application has been filed. Duplicates are issued in the form of e-certificates. We will contact you when the duplicate is ready.

For category certificates of occupational Estonian language proficiency issued before 1 July 1999, an archive notice has been issued as a duplicate. For the issue of an archive notice, a signed application is to be forwarded to Education and Youth Board:

• Archive notice application (pdf)
• Archive notice application (excel)

All applications can be sent to us, Education and Youth Board, by post: A. H. Tammsaare tee 47, 11316 Tallinn or by e-mail: info@harno.ee.

The Estonian language proficiency examination papers can be reviewed by the examinee and other persons upon reasonable request within five years after the examination has been taken. 

Applications:

• Examinee’s application for reviewing their own examination paper
• Third person’s application for reviewing an examination paper

The hard copy of application may be left at our information desk (Mon – Fri 9.00–17.00) or sent to us by post: LA. H. Tammsaare tee 47, 11316 Tallinn or digitally signed by e-mail: [email protected].

Examinee’s application for reviewing their own examination paper will be reviewed and the copy of the written part of examination paper will be sent by e-mail at the first opportunity. Third person’s applications for reviewing an examination paper will be answered within 30 working days.

• You will see your examination paper exactly the way you submitted it at the examination. Assessors of the written part do not correct your mistakes, write comments, or notes in your work.

Contesting the results of the examination

If you are not satisfied with the result of the proficiency examinations, you have the right to file a challenge with the Education and Youth Board for the review of your examination result. The challenge must be filed within thirty days after being communicated the examination result.

A proficiency examinations challenge committee shall be formed whose membership shall be approved by the Director General of Education and Youth Board. The challenge committee shall review a filed challenge within 30 days after the receipt thereof and pass one of the following resolutions:

• to dismiss the challenge;
• to satisfy the challenge and where necessary, issue a precept to the head of the agency issuing certificates of proficiency in the Estonian language, to issue a certificate of proficiency in the Estonian language.

The appellation committee does not give you any explanations or answer your questions.

The challenge can be filed in the Tests database EIS: eis.ekk.edu.ee. After logging in, select "Minu tulemused" and find the correct exam. Then select "Esita vaie" and fill in all the necessary fields.
Please make sure you can sign the form digitally before you start filling out the application. For a challenge to be submitted, it must be digitally signed.

A minor examinee cannot submit an appeal independently. The appeal must be submitted on their behalf by a parent or legal guardian. The appeal must be submitted in writing (digitally signed and sent by email to [email protected]) using the appeal application form. It is not possible to submit an appeal on behalf of a minor via EIS.

Avaldus eesti keele tasemeeksami vaidekomisjonile | 23.66 KB | docx

For additional questions, call +372 735 0500.

Eesti keele õppe kulude hüvitamine   The information is in Estonian.

Language skills levels – what are they?
Language skills levels are the six levels of language proficiency (A1–C2) developed by the Council of Europe and described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. These levels are used to measure foreign language proficiency. Mother tongue proficiency is assessed with the help of other means.

Who are Estonian language proficiency examinations for?
These examinations are for the employee whose mother tongue is not Estonian and who needs to prove his/her employer that he/she speaks the Estonian language at the level required at his/her job position. Learn more about Estonian language proficiency requirements at different positions here.

Which parts does the examination consist of and how long does the examination last?
The examination consists of four parts: writing, listening, reading, and speaking. Depending on the level, the written part of the examination lasts 2-3 hours and, after a short break, it is followed by speaking. Learn more HERE.

Where can I find learning materials and examination sample tests?
You can find learning materials HERE. We also recommend you to visit the language proficiency testing environment TEST,  Test database EIS and the language learning environment Keeletee. Before the examination we also recommend to attend a free of charge consultation where consultants will answer all your questions.

How many points do I need to score to pass the examination?
In order to pass the examination you need to get at least 60 per cent of the total sum of the examination points provided. The score can not be 0 for any of the examination parts (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).

Which level of Estonian language proficiency is required to apply for the Estonian citizenship or a long-term residence permit?
At least B1.

If I graduated from university (finished basic or secondary school) with the Estonian as the language of instruction, do I still have to take an Estonian language proficiency examination?
No, you do not! If you finished Estonian-medium basic or secondary school or graduated from Estonian-medium university, your Estonian language proficiency is proven by your graduation certificate.

What are the specific provisions for demonstrating Estonian language proficiency in higher education?
Section 26 (3) of the Language Act stipulates that a person who has obtained higher education in Estonian is not required to take the Estonian language proficiency examination.
Section 26 (4) adds that education is considered to have been obtained in Estonian if at least 60 percent of the instruction took place in Estonian.
Higher education is obtained in bachelor’s studies or professional higher education studies where the volume of instruction in Estonian is sufficient for a person to acquire the Estonian language skills necessary for work during the course of their studies.
Master’s studies constitute the second cycle of higher education, with a smaller study volume and a different structure of studies, as independent work has a larger role in master’s studies.
The proportion of instruction in Estonian is also sufficient in integrated bachelor’s and master’s studies, but not in stand-alone master’s studies.
Therefore, completing only master’s studies in Estonian, if the previous bachelor’s studies were conducted in another language, does not provide grounds for exemption from the proficiency examination.

Which level do the previously received beginner’s, intermediate and advanced levels of language proficiency (including the levels of basic and secondary school leavers) correspond now?
People who passed the Estonian language proficiency examination before 1 July, 2008 do not have to re-take the examination. Their certificates of Estonian language proficiency correspond to the language levels of the new system as follows:

• The language proficiency proven with the beginner’s level certificate is considered equal to B1 level of language proficiency.
• The language proficiency proven with the intermediate level certificate is considered equal to B2 level of language proficiency.
• The language proficiency proven with the advanced level certificate is considered equal to C1 level of language proficiency.

Learn more here.

Why is there no examination for C2 level?
C2 is the highest foreign language proficiency level described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This level is equal to the language proficiency at the level of an educated native speaker. Such a high level of proficiency in Estonian as a foreign language cannot be required at any position, and thus there is no examination for C2 level. If you read in a job advertisement that the position requires Estonian language proficiency at C2 level, please turn to the employer for clarification.

Does the examination include questions about the culture and history of Estonia?
The texts for reading and listening may include texts about the Estonian culture and history. These texts do not require you to have any previous knowledge of the history or culture, as the information necessary to complete the task is presented in the texts themselves.

What if I know nothing about the topics covered in texts for reading and listening?
You do not have to have any previous knowledge of these topics. You can find answers to all questions if you read/listen to the text carefully.

Why doesn’t the speaking part of B2/C1 level examination contain other topics besides employment for those who are still studying or are unemployed?
B2/C1 proficiency level examination measures the mastery of the professional Estonian language. That is the reason why the speaking part of the examinations of these levels includes employment-related topics.

Why am I not allowed to write in pencil at the examination?
In order to prevent cheating, examinees are allowed to write in the test book only in pen. If you write only in pencil or write in pen above writing in pencil, your work will not be assessed. Read more here.

When the essay in the Estonian language B2 and C1 proficiency level examination is marked, is the draft considered as an answer?
The draft sheet is meant for the examinee for taking notes, not for writing the examination answers. The draft will not be considered when an unfinished essay is being marked. An examination paper can be marked objectively only based on the text written by the examinee into the examination book at the appropriate place, not based on the draft.

Does it make any difference which examination contact point I take my examination at?
No, it does not. Examination test books are the same at all the examination contact points, and the examination procedure is also the same. Do not believe rumours saying that the examination is easier at one or another contact point.

How much does it cost to take the examination?
The examination is free of charge.

What do the percentage ranges on my certificate / notice of passing / notice of fail mean?
Your results in sub-skills are represented as percentage ranges and verbal assessments:

0% – noncompliant with the level requirements;
1–49% – noncompliant with the level requirements;
50–59% – poor;
60–75% – satisfactory;
76–90% – good;
91–100% – very good.

This means that if your speaking skills were, for example, given the verbal assessment “good”, the results of your sub-skills were between 76 and 90 percent.

If I fail the examination, when can I make a new attempt?
If you scored less than 45% of the possible amount of points, you can take the examination again in six months’ time.

Am I really not allowed to go to the toilet during the examination?
If during the written part of  the examination you will have a strong need to go to the toilet, you will be allowed to leave the room and you will be escorted to the toilet by a member of the examination panel (from the examination room to the toilet door).

I have taken the same proficiency level examination several times, but why does not my result improve?
Just taking the examination cannot improve your result. Your score is improved through learning and active use of the language. If you keep receiving low scores for the reading and listening parts, read newspapers, listen to the radio, and watch television in the Estonian language. If you fail the writing and speaking parts, then use the Estonian language whenever possible – in a shop, office or institution, or when communicating to your Estonian colleagues.  Before you take the examination, we also recommend you to attend language courses of the corresponding level. All these things will certainly help you to improve your examination result.

Can I take the examination if I have vision or hearing disabilities?
An examinee with special needs can take the examination in the form that is suitable for him/her. Learn more here.

What do I do if my conversation partner at the speaking part of the examination does not speak any Estonian?
Examiners know what to do in such a situation, and they will allow you to speak more or will talk to you themselves, if the other examinee does not speak Estonian enough.

What if my score was calculated wrongly?
Capturing of the answers for the reading and listening parts of the examination is duplicated, and, if necessary, is conducted for the third time as well. That is why you can be absolutely sure that your score is captured correctly. Writing and speaking are also assessed by two assessors, and if their scores differ significantly, the work is assessed for the third time. If you think that your examination paper was not assessed fairly, you have the right to make an appeal.

I scored 0 points for one task/both tasks of the writing part. How could it happen if I wrote so much?
Apparently you did not read the writing task carefully. For instance, you had to write a formal letter to your boss, but you wrote an informal letter to a friend. In this case the task itself remained unfulfilled and it could not be assessed.

Who controls validity of language proficiency tests?
The Education and Youth Board is a member of the Association of Language Testers in Europe ALTE. ALTE controls validity of Estonian language proficiency tests.

Can the examiner interrupt the examinee during the speaking part of the examination?
During the speaking part the examiner interrupts the examinee’s monologue (turn to speak, presentation, etc.) only in the case when the examinee is deviating from the topic of the task too much. Then the examiner has to interfere at a convenient moment and try to make the examinee return to the topic with the help of suggestive questions. Usually such interruption situations occur at B2/C1 level examinations when the examinee starts presenting a learned by heart monologue which has nothing to do with the task the examinee has been given.

I sent an appellation to the Education and Youth Board as well as an application where I enquire an explanation for my score. However, the decision of the appellation committee did not contain any explanation. Why?
The appellation committee does not give you any explanations or answer your questions.

If you have any other questions, please contact us via e-mail: [email protected].

Requirements for the language skills of employees

The language proficiency levels required for the position are stipulated in a regulation of the Government of the Republic. On the basis of this regulation, the employer establishes the language skills requirement of the employee depending on the nature of the work and the language use situations. The language skills required for work are measured and language proficiency exams are held in Estonia at four language levels: A2, B1, B2 and C1.

An employee who has graduated from a basic school, secondary school or higher education institution where at least 60% of the studies were conducted in the Estonian language does not have to take the Estonian language proficiency exam. An employee who has passed a professional examination in the Estonian language and works in the speciality indicated on their professional certificate is also exempt from the proficiency exam.

If, in the course of state or administrative supervision, there is a suspicion that the employee does not have a command of Estonian at the level necessary for the performance of their duties, the language officer may issue a precept to pass the proficiency exam.

Certificates

The employer can check the truth and validity of the employee's proficiency examination certificate from the Examinations Information System by entering the employee's personal identification code and certificate number. The certificates of the Estonian language proficiency exam have been issued electronically since September 2010. Anyone can print out their certificate, but this is not obligatory.

In the case of paper-based certificates issued before September 2010, the Examinations Information System  shows the date when the exam was passed and whether the certificate is valid, but not the certificate itself. To prove their obtained language level and the exam result, it is mandatory for the employee to submit the original paper certificate.

It is necessary to get at least 60% of the maximum score to pass the exam successfully and to get the certificate. The exam measures four sub-skills (writing, listening, reading comprehension and speaking) and the certificate shows the results of the exam by the four sub-skills in percentage ranges and as a verbal assessment: 0% – noncompliant with the level requirements; 1–49% – noncompliant with the level requirements; 50–59% – poor; 60–75% – satisfactory; 76–90% – good; 91–100% – very good. This means that if your speaking skills were, for example, given the verbal assessment “good”, the results of your sub-skills were between 76 and 90 percent.

When assessing professional language skills, it is possible, if necessary, to indicate, based on the certificate of language proficiency, which sub-skills need to be improved. If an employee has received a "weak" or "does not meet the level requirements" assessment as a result for some sub-skills, this indicates that it is necessary to further engage in the development of these sub-skills.

Estonian language proficiency examination certificates (elementary, intermediate and advanced level) taken before 1 July 2008 are also valid. Language proficiency attested by the elementary level certificate is deemed to correspond to language proficiency level B1. Language proficiency attested by the intermediate level certificate is deemed to correspond to language proficiency level B2. Language proficiency attested by the advanced level certificate is deemed to correspond to language proficiency level C1.

Please note!

• Proficiency in the Estonian language as a national language is measured at levels A2–C1. The C2 proficiency level, the highest language proficiency level described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), is not required for any position in Estonia and thus the C2 level exams are not held. Therefore, when hiring employees, the recruitment and selection criteria cannot, for instance, require C2-level language proficiency even from the teachers of the Estonian language.
• Although professional language proficiency is also measured in the speaking part of the B2 and C1 level exams, the Estonian language proficiency exams are general language exams and are aimed at everyone, not only the representatives of specific professions. This means, for example, that although a doctor may present a C1-level certificate in Estonian when applying for a job, this does not give a comprehensive overview of his or her professional language skills.
• Language skills are also variable in time, they improve or deteriorate depending on language practice. Thus, if a candidate has passed a level B1 exam in 2012, for example, his or her level of language proficiency may not be B1 in ten or more years.

We recommend to always pay attention to the language skills of the candidates during the recruitment process.