On this page you find information about what you must bring to the test centre and what kind of questions you will answer in the YKI test. There are also some links at the end of the page that will support your language learning.

 

 

When you have paid the test fee, you will get a message confirming that you have paid. Your test organiser will later send you an e-mail with more detailed instructions for getting to the test centre. For example, they will tell you where the test centre is and at what time the test starts.

You should wait patiently for this message, as the test centre will only send the message to you shortly before the test day. However, if you have not received this message and the test date is getting close, you should contact the test centre. You can find its contact details in the link Contact details of YKI test centres below. You can check the name of your test centre in the e-mail that you received from the YKI registration system.

When you come to the YKI test, you should bring an official identity card that is not out of date.

Please note that such documents as driving licences or residence permit cards are not official identity documents. Acceptable documents are:

  • a passport
  • an identity card
  • an alien's passport
  • a refugee travel document
  • an identity card issued by the Finnish Defence Forces with a chip and a photo.

 

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Arrive in time for the YKI test. If you are late, you will not be able to participate in the test.

The basic and intermediate level tests take 5 hours and the advanced level test 6 hours. There are breaks during the day. You can bring your own snacks to enjoy during the breaks.

You will get a pencil and an eraser at the test centre, so you do not need to bring them with you.

In the test, you will do the reading comprehension and writing tests in a classroom. The listening comprehension and speaking tests usually take place in a language lab. 
 
Remember these during the test: 

  • Always complete all tasks and answer all questions. Always try to answer something! 
  • Pay attention to the required language. Check in which language you have to write the answers. 
  • Use your normal speaking voice in the speaking test. Listen to and read all the instructions carefully and follow them. 
  • Complete all parts of the test to receive the certificate. 

 

Matters not permitted in the test

During the YKI test day, you will not be allowed to use

  • a phone
  • a watch
  • a laptop
  • a tablet
  • or other electronic devices.

All such devices will be collected and stored for the duration of the test day. You cannot use them even during the breaks.

You are not allowed to use a dictionary or study materials in the YKI test.

Your test will be disqualified if you

  • cheat (e.g., speak with another participant, look at someone else's test answers, use a phone or other prohibited devices) or do not follow the instructions given by the test supervisor.
  • take any test material with you (e.g., examination papers or test booklets).
  • break the rules (e.g., disturb the other participants), and do not stop this although told so by the test supervisor.

If you cheat or assist with cheating or attempting it, your test will be disqualified and you will not be allowed to take a test in that language in the following 6 or 12 months.

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The subtests of the YKI test are: 

  • speaking
  • listening comprehension
  • writing, and
  • reading comprehension.

The main question types are:

  • multiple choice questions
  • true/false questions
  • open-ended questions.

You can prepare for the YKI test. Click on the links below and get to know the structure of the YKI test and the types of questions used in it. Please note that the links only show you examples of the questions. They are not the official test questions!

Instructions for filling in the answer sheet
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If you cannot participate in the test that you registered for, follow the instructions:

  • If you can participate in the next YKI test at the same test centre, ask your test centre to reschedule your registration for the next test date. Read the instructions under How to change the test date.
  • If you CANNOT participate in the next YKI test at the same test centre, apply for a refund of your test fee according to the instructions. Read the instructions under How to apply for a refund.

You can check the date of the next YKI test day from your test centre or from our website:

 

How to change the test date

Contact your test centre before the test begins and ask them to reschedule your registration for the next test date. The test centre will not change your test date if you contact them after the test has begun.

You chose your test centre when you registered for the YKI test. You can check your test centre's contact information from the e-mail that was sent to you from the YKI registration system.

The test centre can move your test once to another test date at the same test centre. The new test day cannot be more than one year after the original test day. If the next YKI test of the same language and level is held more than a year from the original test day, you may reschedule your registration to the next YKI test of the same language and level.   

Transfer to another test centre or city is not possible. Also, it is not possible to change your registration to another language or skill level test.

If you need special arrangements for YKI-test, you must reapply for the special arrangements for the new test day.

 

How to apply for a refund

Follow these instructions if you cannot participate in the YKI test you have registered for:

  1. Before the test begins, inform your test centre that you cannot participate in the YKI test. You chose your test centre when you registered for the test. You can check your test centre’s contact information from the e-mail that was sent to you from the YKI registration system. Your test centre will cancel your registration to the YKI test.
  2. Get a certificate stating your illness. You will need a certificate stating your illness or some other weighty reason if you wish to apply for a refund.
  3. Apply for a refund from the Finnish National Agency for Education. Send the application to kirjaamo [at] oph.fi within two weeks from your test day. The application form and the instructions for completing it, are attached at the end of this section.

The Finnish National Agency for Education will process your application. If the conditions for the refund are met, the Finnish National Agency for Education will refund the test fee to the same account it was paid from.

If you do not send your application to the Finnish National agency for Education in time, your test fee will not be refunded.

Typically, a refund can be issued only if you fall ill on the test day, and you are able to prove it with a doctor's certificate. For example, a previously passed YKI test does not meet the conditions for the test fee refund.

Do you need help? Ask for advice on how to change your test date or how to apply for a refund from kielitutkinnot [at] oph.fi (kielitutkinnot[at]oph[dot]fi).
Refund application form
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Preparing for the YKI test

The YKI test measures your skills in using standard language in everyday situations where you need to understand, speak and write the language. You do not have to pass a language course before taking the test. You can practise using standard language in work or at home.

However, you should prepare for the YKI test in advance. Remember that the people grading the YKI test performances do not know you. This means that they do not know how and in what situations you use the language in your life. The only thing they assess is how well you speak, write and understand what you hear and read in the test situation. This is why you must show how good your language skills are as well as possible in the test. Be active and remember to read the instructions for the tests carefully!

There are many different ways in which you can practise for the YKI test on your own. There is no official textbook for the YKI test, but you can do different exercises before taking the test. You can look for suitable practice material online or, for example, ask your language teacher for tips.

Below you can find a few examples of exercises and language courses to help you practise:

Topics and themes of YKI test

The topic categories or themes of the questions in the YKI test are the same in the basic, intermediate and advanced level tests. Only their level of difficulty varies by the skill level. The topic categories of the YKI test are: I and my background, home and housing, shops and services, culture, travelling, health and wellbeing, work, the environment, society.

Read about the topic categories on pages 16–18 of the Framework of the Finnish National Certificates of Language Proficiency: 

The Framework of the Finnish National Certificates of Language Proficiency
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