The National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI) are the language test system of the Finnish government. You can use these certificates when you
- apply for a job or study place
- apply for Finnish citizenship (certificates of Finnish and Swedish skills)
- must prove your level of language skills to an employer.
All National Certificate of Language Proficiency tests consist of four parts: speaking, listening comprehension, writing and reading comprehension. You will get a separate grade for each part.
You can take the test in the following languages: English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Northern Sámi, Russian, Spanish and Swedish.
Participating in the YKI Test

1. Selecting the right YKI test, the test days
The National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) is a language test for adults. You can take the YKI test at different skill levels. Before registering for the test, find out when you need the certificate and at what level you need it.

2. Registering for the YKI test
You can register for the YKI test using the online registration system.

3. Before the YKI test
When you have registered, you will receive a message telling you how to get to the YKI test centre. Prepare for the test and also get to know the types of questions used in the test.

4. After the YKI test
It takes around two months to grade the YKI tests. When your test has been graded, the certificate will be posted to the address you gave when you registered for the YKI test.

Proving your language skills when you apply for Finnish citizenship
If you apply for Finnish citizenship, you need a certificate of your skills in writing and speaking Finnish or Swedish. Taking the YKI test at the intermediate level (3) or higher is enough to prove your language skills.

The Framework of the Finnish National Certificates of Language Proficiency (201…
www.oph.fiThe Finnish National Agency for Education has defined the official framework for the National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI). For example, the framework sets out the topics and questions types that the YKI tests must contain.

Publication: Twenty years of National Certificates of Language Proficiency (in …
This publication was produced in 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of National Certificates of Language Proficiency.