Study the frequently asked questions about the national certificates of language proficiency to get a good overview of how to acquire one.

What is the national certificate of language proficiency (YKI)?

The national certificate of language proficiency is a language proficiency test for adults. It is an official way to demonstrate your competence in a language. The test assesses your knowledge of a language in everyday situations; you don’t need to know any specialist jargon, for example.

The YKI system is the official language proficiency test of Finland, and certificates serve a variety of purposes. You can use them, for example,

  • to demonstrate your language skills to apply for a job or a place to study
  • to demonstrate your level of language proficiency to acquire the Finnish citizenship (Finnish and Swedish tests)
Attachments
The national YKI tests are based on an EDUFI-issued framework, available below.
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What skills? What languages? What levels?

The YKI test assesses four skill components: speaking, writing, listening comprehension, and reading comprehension.

There are nine languages: English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Northern Sámi, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.

There are three levels: basic, intermediate and advanced (only basic and intermediate for Italian). All the test components are done at the same level. How the speaking component is performed depends on your level and language:

  • Basic and intermediate levels are performed in a language lab.
  • The advanced level is performed in a language lab and during a face-to-face speaking test.
  • The basic level in Finnish and Swedish also includes an interview.
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Where and when can I complete the YKI test?

YKI tests take place in specific test centres on pre-determined dates (check the locations and dates). The tests will be the same in all test centres on the same day, and all YKI certificates are equivalent, regardless of where you completed your test.

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How to register for a test?

Please contact a test centre directly (see Register for a national language proficiency test). In autumn 2019, you need to register using an online registration system. You can find further information about this later on the YKI pages of the National Agency for Education (EDUFI).

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How do I know which level I should select?

If you need the certificate for a specific purpose, such as a place of study or to acquire Finnish citizenship, please find out first which level is required. In these kinds of situations, you will need a certificate at a specific level.

To check the level of your language proficiency, study the 6-point scale of proficiency levels. Use the level descriptions to see which best matches your language skills, then register for a test at that level.

Proficiency level descriptions
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What kinds of exercises do the different test components include?

You can learn about the structure and exercises of the different test components on the website of the University of Jyväskylä. Please note that these exercises are only examples to help you get familiar with the test. They are not the official test exercises!

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Do I need to complete a course before taking the test?

You don’t need to complete a language course, or read a study book, for example. The YKI test is a so-called demonstration of skills qualification, which means that during the test you will demonstrate what you can do with the language you have selected. It doesn’t matter where and how you have learned the language. YKI tests are not linked to any specific study material you should know before taking the test.

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How can I practise before the YKI test?

You can learn about the test in the online brochure below. It will explain what kinds of components and exercises there are at different levels. Test brochures are available for basic, intermediate and advanced levels in English, French, German, Northern Sámi, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.

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How will I be assessed?

The national language proficiency test uses a six-point scale to assess your level of proficiency. It is equivalent to the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

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Who will assess my performance?

You will be assessed by trained assessors, the majority of which are teachers of the language of your choice.

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For what purpose can I use the YKI certificate?

YKI certificates can serve several purposes; you may use it to apply for a job or a place of study, the Finnish citizenship (Finnish and Swedish language tests), or for a language bonus in your job, or when you or your employer, for example, wants an official assessment of your language proficiency.

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Validity of the YKI certificate

A YKI certificate is valid forever. Do remember, however, that your language proficiency will deteriorate if you don’t use a language. If, for example, you apply for a job and present an old certificate, your employer may want to test your language skills by interviewing you or by asking you to redo the test. 

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