Free Practice Questions for Estonian Language Proficiency Examination B1
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Key Facts: Estonian Language Proficiency Examination B1 Exam
2h written + separate oral
Written part (writing/listening/reading) runs 2 hours; the recorded speaking part starts 15-20 minutes later the same day
Harno, Teabeleht eesti keele tasemeeksami sooritajale
60% to pass, no skill at zero
Passing requires at least 60% of total points, with no individual skill scoring zero
Harno, Teabeleht eesti keele tasemeeksami sooritajale
B1 required for citizenship
B1 is the Estonian-language level required for citizenship applications, per Harno and the Integration Foundation
Integratsiooni Sihtasutus, Language proficiency and testing language skills
B1 for long-term residence (5 yrs)
Applicants for the long-term resident's residence permit, after five years on a temporary permit, need Estonian at least at B1 level
Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet, Long-term resident's residence permit
65+ writing exemption
Citizenship applicants aged 65 or older are exempt from the B1 writing (essay) component only; they must still pass listening, reading and speaking
Harno, Teabeleht eesti keele tasemeeksami sooritajale
Free of charge
The tasemeeksam is administered by Harno at no cost to any candidate
Harno, Eesti keele tasemeeksamid (official overview)
Free 100-question English-language MCQ study bank for Harno's Estonian B1-level tasemeeksam - the language level required for Estonian citizenship and (after 5 years) long-term residence. Covers civic/everyday reading comprehension and B1 grammar (past tense, modal verbs, translative/terminative/comitative/abessive cases) behind the official four-skill exam. Official exam: written part 2h (writing/listening/reading) plus recorded speaking; pass = 60% overall, no skill at zero; citizenship applicants 65+ are exempt from writing only. Free of charge, quarterly sittings in Tallinn/Tartu/Narva/Jõhvi (+Pärnu conditionally). Not an official-format simulation - listening, essay-writing and speaking cannot be reproduced by an MCQ bank.
Sample Estonian Language Proficiency Examination B1 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Estonian Language Proficiency Examination B1 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Lugemine (Reading): Te loete tutvustust: 'Tere! Minu nimi on Anna. Ma olen kolmekümne aasta vanune ja elan Tallinnas. Ma töötan kontoris ja mulle meeldib lugeda raamatuid.' (Hello! My name is Anna. I am thirty years old and live in Tallinn. I work in an office and I like reading books.) Kus Anna elab? (Where does Anna live?)
2Lugemine (Reading): Te loete kuulutust: 'Üürile anda 2-toaline korter Tartu kesklinnas. Üür 450 eurot kuus, lisaks kommunaalkulud. Korter on möbleeritud. Helistage numbril 5555 1234.' (For rent: 2-room apartment in Tartu city centre. Rent 450 euros per month, plus utility costs. The apartment is furnished. Call number 5555 1234.) Kui palju maksab üür kuus? (How much does the rent cost per month?)
3Lugemine (Reading): Te loete tööpakkumist: 'Otsime kokka restorani. Töökogemus on kasuks, aga pole kohustuslik. Kandideerimiseks saatke oma CV aadressile toojuht@restoran.ee hiljemalt 15. augustiks.' (We are looking for a cook for the restaurant. Work experience is an advantage but not mandatory. To apply, send your CV to toojuht@restoran.ee by 15 August at the latest.) Kas töökogemus on kohustuslik? (Is work experience mandatory?)
4Lugemine (Reading): Te loete kooli teadet: 'Uus keeleõppe kursus algab 1. septembril. Registreerimine on avatud kuni 20. augustini. Kursus toimub kaks korda nädalas, esmaspäeviti ja kolmapäeviti kell 18.00.' (A new language course starts on 1 September. Registration is open until 20 August. The course takes place twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays at 18:00.) Mitu korda nädalas kursus toimub? (How many times a week does the course take place?)
5Lugemine (Reading): Te loete sõnumit hambaarstilt: 'Tere! Tuletame meelde, et Teie vastuvõtt on homme, 3. juulil kell 10.15. Palun tulge 5 minutit varem. Kui te ei saa tulla, andke sellest teada vähemalt 24 tundi ette.' (Hello! We remind you that your appointment is tomorrow, 3 July at 10:15. Please arrive 5 minutes early. If you cannot come, let us know at least 24 hours in advance.) Mitu minutit varem peab patsient tulema? (How many minutes early must the patient arrive?)
6Lugemine (Reading): Te loete ilmateadet: 'Homme on pilves ilm koos vahepealse vihmaga. Õhutemperatuur tõuseb kuni 18 kraadini. Tuul puhub loodest, mõõdukas kuni tugev.' (Tomorrow will be cloudy with occasional rain. The air temperature will rise up to 18 degrees. Wind blows from the northwest, moderate to strong.) Mis suunast tuul puhub? (From which direction does the wind blow?)
7Lugemine (Reading): Te loete arvet: 'Korteriühistu teatab: Veebruarikuu kommunaalkulude arve tuleb tasuda hiljemalt 25. märtsiks. Hilinemise korral lisandub viivis 0,5% päevas.' (The apartment association announces: The February utility bill must be paid by 25 March at the latest. In case of delay, a penalty of 0.5% per day is added.) Mis juhtub, kui arvet ei maksta õigeks ajaks? (What happens if the bill is not paid on time?)
8Lugemine (Reading): Te loete e-kirja ülemuselt: 'Tere kolleegid! Homme kell 9.00 toimub osakonna koosolek. Palun võtke kaasa oma projektide aruanded. Koosolek kestab umbes tund aega.' (Hello colleagues! Tomorrow at 9:00 there is a department meeting. Please bring your project reports. The meeting will last about an hour.) Mida peavad töötajad koosolekule kaasa võtma? (What must the employees bring to the meeting?)
9Lugemine (Reading): Te loete raamatukogu teadet: 'Raamatukogu tuletab meelde: laenutatud raamatud tuleb tagastada 3 nädala jooksul. Tähtaega on võimalik pikendada veebilehe kaudu, kui raamatule pole teisi soovijaid.' (The library reminds you: borrowed books must be returned within 3 weeks. The deadline can be extended via the website if there are no other people waiting for the book.) Millal saab laenutähtaega pikendada? (When can the loan deadline be extended?)
10Lugemine (Reading): Te loete ravimi pakendi infolehte: 'Täiskasvanutele: 1 tablett kaks korda päevas, hommikul ja õhtul, koos toiduga. Ärge ületage annust 2 tabletti päevas. Ravikuur kestab tavaliselt 7 päeva.' (For adults: 1 tablet twice a day, morning and evening, with food. Do not exceed a dose of 2 tablets per day. The course of treatment usually lasts 7 days.) Kuidas tuleb ravimit võtta? (How should the medicine be taken?)
About the Estonian Language Proficiency Examination B1 Exam
The Estonian Language Proficiency Examination at B1 level (eesti keele tasemeeksam, B1-tase) is the most consequential of Harno's four CEFR-graded national proficiency exams for many adult learners in Estonia: it is the level required for Estonian citizenship applications, and - after five continuous years on a temporary residence permit - for the long-term resident's residence permit. The exam tests all four language skills. The written part is sat in one continuous 2-hour session in the fixed order Kirjutamine (writing, ~35 min, including a short essay), Kuulamine (listening, ~35 min) and Lugemine (reading, 50 min); the Rääkimine (speaking) part follows about 15-20 minutes later the same day and is recorded so a second assessor can mark it independently. A distinctive rule applies at this level only: candidates aged 65 or older who are applying for citizenship may request exemption from the writing (essay) component, but must still sit and pass listening, reading and speaking - this exemption does not apply to candidates who need B1 for employment or other purposes, and does not extend to any other level. Content moves past A2's concrete everyday language into civic and workplace territory: renting and housing, job applications, healthcare appointments, bills, contracts and insurance, and education, expressed through simple past tense (lihtminevik), modal verbs (pidama, võima, tohtima), and intermediate noun cases - translative, terminative, comitative and abessive - alongside comparative and superlative adjective forms. The exam is offered about four times a year in Tallinn, Tartu, Narva and Jõhvi (Pärnu added when at least 12 register there), is free of charge, and carries the ALTE Quality Label. A pass requires at least 60% of total points with no individual skill scoring zero; an unexcused absence or a score under 35% means a mandatory six-month wait before retaking. This free bank of 100 original multiple-choice questions is an English-language study adaptation of the underlying reading-comprehension and grammar knowledge the exam draws on - it is not a simulation of the official listening audio, the handwritten essay, or the recorded speaking interview.
Exam sponsor: Haridus- ja Noorteamet (Harno) - the Estonian Education and Youth Board, under the Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium (Ministry of Education and Research). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
The eesti keele tasemeeksam B1-tase is a national language-proficiency exam administered by Haridus- ja Noorteamet (Harno) under Estonia's Language Act, offered about four times a year (quarterly) in Tallinn, Tartu, Narva and Jõhvi, with Pärnu added when at least 12 candidates register there. Candidates sit the written part first - in the fixed order Kirjutamine (writing, ~35 minutes, including a short essay), Kuulamine (listening, ~35 minutes) and Lugemine (reading, 50 minutes), for 2 hours total - then the Rääkimine (speaking) part begins roughly 15-20 minutes later the same day and is recorded for independent second-marker assessment. B1 is the CEFR level Estonia requires for citizenship applications and, after five continuous years on a temporary residence permit, for the long-term resident's residence permit; candidates aged 65+ applying for citizenship may claim an exemption from the writing component only, but must still sit and pass listening, reading and speaking. Content moves beyond A2's concrete everyday language into civic and workplace topics - housing/renting, job applications, healthcare appointments, bills and contracts, education - tested through simple past tense, modal verbs (pidama, võima, tohtima), and intermediate cases (translative, terminative, comitative, abessive) alongside comparative/superlative adjectives. The exam carries the ALTE Quality Label and is free of charge. A pass requires at least 60% of total points with no individual skill scoring zero; missing the sitting without a valid reason, or scoring below 35%, triggers a mandatory six-month wait before retaking. This bank is a 100-question English-language MCQ study adaptation covering the underlying reading-comprehension and grammar knowledge only.
Time Limit
2 hours for the written part (writing ~35 min, listening ~35 min, reading 50 min), plus a separate recorded oral part beginning about 15-20 minutes after the written part ends.
Passing Score
At least 60% of total points overall, with no individual skill (listening, reading, writing, speaking) scoring zero. Citizenship applicants aged 65+ are exempt from the writing component only. Below 35%, or an unexcused absence, triggers a mandatory six-month wait before retaking.
Exam / Certification Fees
Free of charge - Harno administers the tasemeeksamid at no cost to candidates, whether taken for citizenship, residence, employment, or personal progress.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Official sources
- Harno - Eesti keele tasemeeksamid (English overview)
- Harno - Teabeleht eesti keele tasemeeksami sooritajale (candidate information sheet)
- EIS - Eksamite infosüsteem (exam registration system)
- Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet - Long-term resident's residence permit
- Integratsiooni Sihtasutus - Language proficiency and testing language skills
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Civic and Everyday Reading Comprehension
Rental ads, job postings, appointment reminders, bills, official notices and personal messages requiring fact extraction and nuanced interpretation.
Past Tense and Modal Verbs
Simple past conjugation and modal verbs expressing obligation, permission and possibility.
Intermediate Noun Cases and Comparison
Translative, terminative, comitative and abessive cases, plus comparative/superlative adjectives.
Civic, Work and Life-Administration Vocabulary
Housing/renting, job applications, healthcare, education and everyday administrative procedures.
Preparing for the Estonian Language Proficiency Examination B1 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: At least 60% of total points overall, with no individual skill (listening, reading, writing, speaking) scoring zero. Citizenship applicants aged 65+ are exempt from the writing component only. Below 35%, or an unexcused absence, triggers a mandatory six-month wait before retaking.
- Assessment: The eesti keele tasemeeksam B1-tase is a national language-proficiency exam administered by Haridus- ja Noorteamet (Harno) under Estonia's Language Act, offered about four times a year (quarterly) in Tallinn, Tartu, Narva and Jõhvi, with Pärnu added when at least 12 candidates register there. Candidates sit the written part first - in the fixed order Kirjutamine (writing, ~35 minutes, including a short essay), Kuulamine (listening, ~35 minutes) and Lugemine (reading, 50 minutes), for 2 hours total - then the Rääkimine (speaking) part begins roughly 15-20 minutes later the same day and is recorded for independent second-marker assessment. B1 is the CEFR level Estonia requires for citizenship applications and, after five continuous years on a temporary residence permit, for the long-term resident's residence permit; candidates aged 65+ applying for citizenship may claim an exemption from the writing component only, but must still sit and pass listening, reading and speaking. Content moves beyond A2's concrete everyday language into civic and workplace topics - housing/renting, job applications, healthcare appointments, bills and contracts, education - tested through simple past tense, modal verbs (pidama, võima, tohtima), and intermediate cases (translative, terminative, comitative, abessive) alongside comparative/superlative adjectives. The exam carries the ALTE Quality Label and is free of charge. A pass requires at least 60% of total points with no individual skill scoring zero; missing the sitting without a valid reason, or scoring below 35%, triggers a mandatory six-month wait before retaking. This bank is a 100-question English-language MCQ study adaptation covering the underlying reading-comprehension and grammar knowledge only.
- Time limit: 2 hours for the written part (writing ~35 min, listening ~35 min, reading 50 min), plus a separate recorded oral part beginning about 15-20 minutes after the written part ends.
- Exam / certification fees: Free of charge - Harno administers the tasemeeksamid at no cost to candidates, whether taken for citizenship, residence, employment, or personal progress. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Estonian Language Proficiency Examination B1: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the official B1 exam multiple-choice?
No. The official exam combines written Kirjutamine (writing, including a short essay), Kuulamine (listening) and Lugemine (reading) tasks with a separate recorded Rääkimine (speaking) interview. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for the underlying reading-comprehension and grammar knowledge only; it does not simulate the listening audio, the handwritten essay, or the speaking interview.
Why does B1 matter more than the other levels?
B1 is the CEFR level Estonia requires for citizenship applications, and - after five continuous years on a temporary residence permit - for the long-term resident's residence permit. Many adult learners in Estonia specifically target B1 for these reasons, rather than for a workplace requirement (which may call for B2 or C1 instead, depending on the profession).
Is it true that older applicants get an easier B1 exam?
Only in one respect: citizenship applicants aged 65 or older may request exemption from the writing (essay) component of the B1 exam, but they must still sit and pass the listening, reading and speaking components in full. This exemption applies only to citizenship applications at B1 level - it does not apply if you need B1 for employment, and it does not extend to A2, B2 or C1.
How long does the B1 exam take?
The written part lasts 2 hours total: about 35 minutes for writing, about 35 minutes for listening, and 50 minutes for reading, sat in that order without a break. The oral (speaking) part begins roughly 15-20 minutes after the written part ends, later the same day.
What score do I need to pass B1?
At least 60% of the total available points across the whole exam, provided no individual skill - listening, reading, writing or speaking - scores zero. Scoring below 35%, or missing the exam without a valid reason, means you must wait at least six months before retaking it.
How much does the exam cost, and how do I register?
The exam is free of charge for every candidate. Register online through Harno's exam information system (EIS) before the quarterly deadline - for example, the September 2026 sitting (B1 on 6 September) had a registration deadline of 1 August 2026.