Estonian Basic-School Estonian as a Second Language Exam study guide
Estonian Basic-School Estonian as a Second Language Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Estonian basic-school graduation examination in Estonian as a second language (eesti keel teise keelena) is the school-leaving test taken by students whose first language is not Estonian, typically at the end of the 9th grade. It certifies that the candidate can cope with everyday Estonian at the level the national curriculum expects of basic-school leavers: understanding spoken and written texts, using grammar and vocabulary accurately, producing written texts, and speaking on familiar topics. The Estonian Basic-School Estonian as a Second Language Exam study guide has 5 sections and about 2,006 words.
01Listening comprehension
The listening part of the Estonian as a second language basic-school exam checks whether you can follow everyday spoken Estonian at about B1: short dialogues, announcements, instructions, phone messages and short narratives. Tasks usually ask you to choose a picture or option, mark true/false, match speakers to statements, or complete a table with times, places and prices.
428 words, about 2 min02Reading comprehension
Reading tasks in the exam use short authentic-style Estonian texts: notices, advertisements, timetables, forms, personal emails, short articles and instructions. Questions may ask you to match headings, choose true/false/not stated, complete gaps, order events or find specific details.
366 words, about 2 min03Language use: grammar and vocabulary
This part tests grammar and vocabulary in context: gaps in sentences or short texts, choosing the correct form, forming questions, matching words to meanings, and correcting or completing phrases. The exam expects control of basic Estonian morphology and syntax at B1, not rare exceptions.
411 words, about 2 min04Writing
You write short texts in Estonian: a message, an informal email or letter, a short narrative, or a simple opinion. Tasks usually list 2–4 content points and a word limit (often around 80–100 words at this level).
390 words, about 2 min05Speaking
The speaking part checks whether you can communicate in Estonian on familiar topics: self and family, school, hobbies, shopping, travel, health. Tasks typically include a short monologue or picture description, a role-play with the examiner, and follow-up questions.
411 words, about 2 min