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

Your test centre will send you instructions for the YKI test before the test day. The instructions will tell you where the test centre is and what time the YKI 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.

 

Be sure to come to the test centre on time. You will not be able to take the YKI test if you are late.

If you are late on a subtest day, you will not be able to take a subtest that has already started.

 

When you come to the YKI test, you should bring an official identity card that is not out of date.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

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

Please note that, for example, a driving licence is not accepted in the YKI test.

The supervisor will check your identity card on the test day. A picture of the identity card is not enough. You must bring an official and valid identity card to be allowed to take the YKI test.

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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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You can cancel your registration for the YKI test no later than 8:00 on the morning of the test day. 

  • If you logged in using Suomi.fi e-Identification when registering for the test:
    1. Log in to My Studyinfo.    
    2. View your own registrations for YKI tests.
    3. Cancel your registration. 

  • If you logged in using email authentication when registering for the test:
    1. Open the registration confirmation email. The email was sent from noreply [at] opintopolku.fi (noreply[at]opintopolku[dot]fi) when you registered for the YKI test.
    2. Find the link in the email that allows you to view the details of your registration.
    3. Open the link.
    4. Cancel your registration.

If you cancel your registration, the test fee will not be automatically refunded. You can apply for a test fee refund from the Finnish National Agency for Education. The Finnish National Agency for Education will refund your test fee if your application meets all the conditions laid down by law.

You cannot cancel your registration only for specific subtests. You must cancel your registration for all the subtests at once.

From 1 January 2026 onwards, registrations for YKI tests can no longer be rescheduled.

 

How to apply for a refund

The conditions for the test fee refund will change on 1 January 2026

The conditions for the test fee refund change because the Act on National Certificates of Language Proficiency is being amended.

Follow these instructions if you want to apply for a test fee refund from the Finnish National Agency for Education:

  1. Cancel your registration for the YKI test no later than 8:00 on the morning of the test day. You can cancel your registration in My Studyinfo or via the link in the registration confirmation email. The email was sent from noreply [at] opintopolku.fi (noreply[at]opintopolku[dot]fi) when you registered for the YKI test.
  1. Get a medical certificate stating your illness. You will need a medical certificate stating your illness if you wish to apply for a refund of the test fee. If a doctor has given you sick leave, the sick leave must continue on the test day.
  2. Apply for a refund of the test fee from the Finnish National Agency for Education. Send the application to kirjaamo [at] oph.fi (kirjaamo[at]oph[dot]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.

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!

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!

 

The main question types are:

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

An answer sheet is used in the multiple choice and true/false questions of the YKI test. See the attachment for instructions on how to fill in the answer sheet.

 

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 the attachment Framework of the Finnish National Certificates of Language Proficiency, pages 16–18. 

 

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.

Attachments
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