Instructions and Exercises for the YKI test

1. Is a YKI certificate enough for Finnish citizenship? In a citizenship application, you can prove that you have sufficient Finnish or Swedish language skills with a YKI certificate. You need proficiency level 3 or 4 in one of the following subtest combinations:

• speaking and writing
• listening comprehension and writing
• reading comprehension and speaking.

Other combinations are not accepted, even if you have level 3 in two subtests. You can also prove an accepted combination with two separate certificates. In the intermediate-level Finnish and Swedish tests, you can now also register for individual subtests.

Register in good time, as test places in the Helsinki area fill up quickly. You can also register for a test in another town.

Older certificates: if you took the test between 2002 and 2011, your certificate must show a general level of at least 3. For tests taken before 2002, the general level must be at least 4. A certificate obtained before 2012 cannot be combined with another certificate.

Please note! The Finnish Citizenship Act will change on 1 January 2027. For applications submitted on or after 1 March 2027, a citizenship test, for example, will also be required in addition to language skills. Check the current requirements on the Finnish Immigration Service website.

2. Do I need to know facts about Finland in the YKI test? No. There are no questions about Finland in the test, but you must be able to write, speak and understand Finnish.

3. How many mistakes can I make in the YKI test? The test does not count your mistakes but assesses your language skills. What matters is what you can do. A mistake can be a problem if it makes you difficult to understand.

4. Is grammar very important in the YKI test? Grammar helps you communicate and understand more precisely, but it is just as important to know vocabulary and phrases on different topics. The most important thing is that you can speak, write and understand different topics.

5. What if I do not understand the question or the task? Try to answer, write or say something anyway. You do not lose points for a wrong answer.

6. Can I take the YKI test several times? Yes. You can retake the YKI test to improve your result. However, it is a good idea to prepare well, as each test costs money.

7. How many words must my answer have? The YKI test does not count words but assesses ideas and content. If you understand the task and your answer fits it, that is enough. In the narration task and the opinion text, for example, it is better to say or write too much than too little. Keep an eye on the clock, as time is limited.

8. What if I think my opinions and ideas are stupid? The YKI test does not assess your ideas and opinions but your language skills. A text with a silly idea is as good as a clever one if it is in understandable Finnish.

9. What if I do not have time to answer all the questions? You can still do well. The most important thing is to answer as many questions as possible. In the speaking narration task, you do not have to answer every question, but in the writing tasks, such as an email, answer all of them.

10. How should I prepare for the test? Read newspapers, listen, speak and write whenever you can. It is also important to know things that are not in textbooks or courses. You will need new vocabulary and grammar too. You can also prepare for the YKI test on a course: see our YKI courses.