Estonian state language exam · CEFR level B1
B1 is the independent user level — needed for long-term residence, Estonian citizenship and many jobs. This guide covers where B1 is required, the exam structure, how to register in EIS, exam-day rules, results and what happens if you do not pass.
- Long-term resident's residence permit(EU long-term / "permanent" status): you must know Estonian at least at level B1. politsei.ee
- Estonian citizenship by naturalisation: B1 is required, plus a separate exam on the Constitution and the Citizenship Act (also free). politsei.ee
- Many jobs — teachers in Estonian-medium schools, much of the public sector, rescue, police, and many medical and customer-facing roles — require B1 (some require B2 or C1). Compliance is checked by the Language Inspectorate.
- For a plain temporary residence permit or for settling permanently, only A2 is required — B1 is the higher bar for permanence, citizenship and regulated professions.
Exemptions
You do not sit the exam if you obtained basic, secondary or higher education in Estonian. For the citizenship language requirement, applicants aged 65 or over are exempt (Citizenship Act §8(2)(4)); reduced requirements apply to some people with disabilities. Confirm your case with PPA before you register.
The exam is set and run by the Education and Youth Board (Harno) on the CEFR scale. It has four parts. The written part (writing, listening, reading) lasts about 2–3 hours and, after a short break, is followed by speaking.
- Total 100 points — reading, writing, listening and speaking are each worth 25 points.
- To pass you need at least 60% of the total (60 of 100), and no single part may score 0. harno.ee
- The exam is free of charge. Legal basis: the Language Act (keeleseadus) and ministerial regulation; professional requirements come from a Government regulation.
What each part looks like
Reading · Lugemine
≈50 min4 tasks25 points≈33 itemsLonger authentic texts: notices, articles, letters and instructions. You must find detail, gist and opinion, and cope with unknown words from context.
| Task | What you do | Size |
|---|---|---|
| First task | Match everyday situations to six notices (A–F) | Questions 1–9 |
| Second task | Reading comprehension on a longer text — one correct answer | Questions 10–15 |
| Third task | Gap-fill — choose the word that fits each blank | Questions 16–25 |
| Fourth task | Gap-fill from a given word bank | Questions 26–33 |
How it is scored
- One point per correct item, scaled to 25 points
- No marks are deducted for wrong answers — never leave a blank
- Answers written against the wrong number are not counted
Writing · Kirjutamine
≈60 min2 tasks25 pointsAssessed by criteriaTwo connected texts — a semi-formal letter / application / e-mail, and a longer opinion or description. Marked on content, coherence, vocabulary, grammar and format.
| Task | What you do | Size |
|---|---|---|
| First task | A formal message, e-mail or application from a given situation | ≈80–100 words |
| Second task | An opinion text, description or account of an experience | ≈120–150 words |
How it is scored
- Content — cover every point of the task and stay on topic
- Language — varied B1 vocabulary and mostly correct grammar and word order
- Format — correct greeting, paragraphs and sign-off; an off-topic or far-too-short text can score 0
Listening · Kuulamine
≈30–40 min4 tasks25 points≈25 itemsAnnouncements, interviews, radio pieces and everyday conversations in clear standard Estonian. Every recording is played twice.
| Task | What you do | Size |
|---|---|---|
| First task | Short texts — choose the right picture or word (A/B/C) | Questions 1–7 |
| Second task | A talk or interview — multiple choice | Questions 8–13 |
| Third task | True / false or matching statements to speakers | ≈6 items |
| Fourth task | A longer conversation — short written answers | ≈6–7 items |
How it is scored
- One point per correct item, scaled to 25 points
- You get time to read the questions before each recording
- Both plays matter — first for the gist, second for the details
Speaking · Rääkimine
≈15–20 min4 parts25 pointsAssessed by criteriaA face-to-face exam with an examiner and usually a partner. Marked on fluency, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and interaction.
| Task | What you do | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 — Interview | Answer the examiner's questions about everyday life, work and study | ≈4–5 min |
| Part 2 — Question card | Use an advert / situation card to ask your partner questions | ≈4 min |
| Part 3 — Answer card | Answer your partner's questions from your own card | ≈5 min |
| Part 4 — Idea card & discussion | Plan something together, agree and disagree, reach a decision | ≈5 min |
How it is scored
- Fluency — speak in connected sentences, not single words
- Interaction — ask, answer, react and keep the conversation going
- Task completion — cover every category on the card and reach the goal
Keep practising on ExamsPoint
We have 25 B1 mock exams per section (100 in total) built to the same task types, item counts and time limits, each with instant scoring and feedback. Complete a full set for every skill, aim for a 60%+ average across at least 10 mock exams, and your readiness certificate will confirm you are prepared.
- 1Log in to the Examinations Information System (EIS) at eis.harno.ee (ID-card, Mobile-ID or Smart-ID). You need an Estonian personal ID code and a valid email address.
- 2Open "Registration", click Register, choose language proficiency examination → B1 level, then pick your city / exam centre and date.
- 3Check your data and click "Confirm application". You get an email confirmation with the venue.
- 4No Estonian ID code? Submit a paper application to Harno in person or by post instead of EIS.
Deadline
Registration closes on the 1st day of the month before the exam month (e.g. by 1 October for a November exam).
Cost
The exam is free. You may register again for a later date if you do not pass — subject to the waiting rule below.
You choose your city / exam centre in EIS. The B1 written part is long, so plan for most of the day.
Tallinn
Pae Gümnaasium, Pae 5. Runs on every B1 exam date.
Tartu
Tartu examination centre. Runs on every B1 exam date.
Jõhvi
Ida-Viru Kutsehariduskeskus, Kutse 13. Every B1 exam date.
Narva
Narva Eesti Gümnaasium, Kraavi 1. Every B1 exam date.
Pärnu
Pärnu Tammsaare Kool, A. H. Tammsaare pst 30. Only some dates, and only if at least 12 people register.
Start time
The exam begins at 10:00. Doors open earlier — arrive 20–30 minutes before.
Addresses can change between sessions — always check the venue in your EIS confirmation. harno.ee
On the day
- Bring a valid photo ID (ID-card, residence-permit card or passport). Without it you cannot sit the exam.
- Arrive early — latecomers may be refused entry once the exam has started.
- Order on the day: writing → listening → reading, a short break, then speaking (recorded; sometimes scheduled for a nearby date).
- Phones and notes are not allowed. Full rules are in Harno's information sheet for the examinee.
- Results are published no later than 40 days after the exam, in EIS.
- The certificate is electronic only — no paper certificate is issued. Retrieve it from eesti.ee and eis.harno.ee; PPA and the Language Inspectorate can check it directly.
- A B1 certificate does not expire, but you may be asked for a fresh copy from the state portal.
- You fail if you score below 60% overall, or if any single part is 0.
- Mandatory waiting period: anyone who scores below 45% of the possible points, or is absent without a valid reason, can only re-register after six months. harno.ee
- A score of 45–59% is a fail but is generally not held to the 6-month wait — book the next open date in EIS. With a documented valid reason for missing the exam, contact Harno about re-registering sooner.
- You may ask to review your exam paper and, within the deadline given with your results, submit a challenge / appeal to Harno.
Harno publishes official consultation materials for every level, with sample tasks and the assessment criteria: see the Estonian language proficiency exams page.
Then drill each section here with exam-format mock papers:
- Harno (exam): Estonian language proficiency examinations · info@harno.ee · +372 735 0500
- Registration: EIS – eis.harno.ee · information sheet for the examinee (PDF)
- Residence & citizenship (PPA): long-term resident's permit · Estonian citizenship for an adult
- Professional language checks: Language Inspectorate
- Certificates: eesti.ee
Estonian language and migration rules change often. This page summarises official Harno and PPA guidance as a study aid — always confirm the current requirement, deadline and exam date on harno.ee and politsei.ee before you rely on it.