Estonian Basic-School Estonian as a Second Language Exam exam-day guide
Estonian Basic-School Estonian as a Second Language Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm the exact exam date, start time and venue with your school or exam centre
The Estonian basic-school leaving exam in Estonian as a second language is organised through the school/centre where you registered. Re-check the written notification (e-kool, e-mail or paper notice) for the building, room and reporting time. If anything is unclear, confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Valid photo ID
Bring the identity document accepted at registration (usually an ID card or passport). Minors without a photo ID should confirm with the provider in advance which document is accepted.
Registration or candidate number / exam pass if issued
Some centres hand out a candidate code or slip beforehand. Keep it with your ID. Whether a separate pass is required varies - confirm with the provider.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written answers are normally handwritten. Bring spare pens that write cleanly; check in advance whether pencil is allowed for any part (for example a multiple-choice answer sheet) - confirm with the provider.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener if permitted
Useful for planning and for any machine-read answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is allowed for your answer document.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock, and phones must normally be switched off and stored. A simple watch helps you pace the reading and writing sections.
Clear water bottle and a small snack for after the exam
Eating during the exam is usually not allowed, but water and a snack for the break or afterwards help on a long day. Check the centre's rules on drinks at the desk.
Leave phone and smart devices switched off and stored
Smartphones, smartwatches and earbuds are normally prohibited at the desk. Plan to hand them in or leave them outside the room; confirm the centre's storage arrangements with the provider.
Know which parts are listening, reading, writing and speaking
The exam tests Estonian as a second language across skills. Confirm with the provider the exact structure, order of parts, timings and whether the speaking part is on the same day or a separate date.
Plan your route and arrival buffer
Arrive early enough to find the room and settle. Note that late arrival may limit your time or bar entry - confirm the centre's late-arrival policy with the provider.
Check permitted reference materials
Assume no dictionaries, grammar tables or notes unless the provider explicitly allows them. Confirm with the provider what, if anything, may be on the desk.
Read the official instructions for your exam session
The provider publishes the binding rules on timing, permitted items and conduct. Read them the week before; this guide cannot replace them.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam instructions and your registration notice; confirm venue, reporting time and which parts take place when. If the speaking part is separate, confirm its date and format with the provider. Gather ID, pens and a non-smart watch in one bag.
Do light, targeted revision rather than new material: skim your own error notes on cases, verb forms and word order, and rehearse the writing task structure (short message, longer text) with a timer. Practise one listening passage and one reading passage under time pressure to calibrate pace.
Rehearse speaking aloud for a few minutes: introduce yourself, describe a picture or everyday situation, give and justify an opinion. Record yourself once and note two things to fix (for example endings or filler words).
Check transport and travel time, charge nothing you cannot bring (phones stay off), and prepare clothes and bag. Sleep a full night; do not study late. Eat normally and avoid trying new caffeine levels on exam day.
Do a final 20–30 minute review of high-frequency vocabulary and a few model sentence patterns, then stop. Confirm your alarm and a backup wake-up. Re-check the reporting time one last time.
Eat a proper breakfast, take your ID, two pens, pencil/eraser if permitted, and a non-smart watch. Leave phone and smart devices off and stored as the centre requires. Arrive with a buffer so you are seated calmly before the start.
Listen to the invigilator's instructions, fill in your name and candidate details exactly as instructed, and check the number of pages and tasks. Ask the invigilator only procedural questions; do not ask for help with language content.
Read the questions before each recording if the format allows, note key words, and answer as you listen. Do not stop to perfect one answer; keep pace and return to gaps at the end of the section if time permits.
Skim the text for the topic, then read questions and scan for the relevant lines. Watch for paraphrases rather than matching identical words. Budget time per text and do not let one difficult item consume the section.
Spend a few minutes planning content and structure, then write. Match the required text type, length and register (formal vs informal), use linking words, and reserve the last minutes to check endings, cases, verb agreement and spelling.
Speak clearly and keep going; fluency and communication matter more than a perfect sentence. If you do not know a word, paraphrase in Estonian. Use the preparation time if one is given, and address the task fully rather than drifting.
Do not try to reconstruct answers with others in a way that worries you; the result is out of your hands. Note which skills felt weak, keep your notes, and confirm with the provider when and how results are published and whether there is any appeal or re-check procedure.
Rules to check
Bring the photo ID accepted at registration and keep it at your desk; if you are unsure which document is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds and other connected devices must normally be switched off and stored away from the desk. Do not keep any device on your person during the exam; confirm the centre's storage rules with the provider.
Use only the writing materials and reference materials the provider permits. Assume dictionaries, grammar tables and notes are not allowed unless explicitly stated - confirm with the provider.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on timing, starting and stopping, and on how to submit papers. Stop writing immediately when told; continuing after time is called can invalidate your work.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not look at others' papers. Any suspected cheating or unauthorised material is handled under the provider's rules, which you should read in advance.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually restricted and may be supervised; ask the invigilator if you need to leave. Whether toilet breaks are allowed mid-section, and whether the clock stops, varies - confirm with the provider.
Scoring and grade boundaries are set by the exam provider, not by your school or this guide. Ask the provider how each skill is weighted, what the pass requirement is, and how and when results are released.
If illness or an emergency affects your performance, tell the invigilator or your school immediately and ask about the provider's procedure for documented absence or special circumstances; do not assume it will be handled automatically.