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YKI

The general language qualification, or YKI, is a language qualification for adults. With the YKI certificate, you can officially prove your language skills. The qualification assesses general language in practical situations and therefore you do not need to know, for example, a language of a specific field. (OPH)

General language qualification, Finnish and/or Swedish, intermediate level (YKI 3–4)

The general language exam assesses the language skills of adults. In the general language exam, you can test how well you speak, write and understand Finnish or Swedish.

If you want to apply for Finnish citizenship, you need a certificate of proficiency in Finnish or Swedish.

You can demonstrate your language skills with the intermediate level test of the general language examination. The test assesses both oral and written language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). All parts of the test are taken on the same day. The instructions for the examination tasks are in Finnish. The examination lasts approximately 5 hours.

Download the assessment criteria in PDF format from the University of Jyväskylä website.

Video instructions for finding the assessment criteria. The assessment criteria in PDF format are available for download in Finnish, Swedish and English.

Registering for the YKI test

The following tests:

31.1.2026 (Finnish and Swedish), registration starts on June 2.1.2026, XNUMX

28.3.2026 (Finnish), registration starts on 9.2.2026

11.4.2026 (Swedish), registration starts February 23.2.2026, XNUMX

23.5.2026 (Finnish), registration starts on 7.4.2026

  • You can only register online, link below.
  • The YKI test must be paid by the due date. The test costs €190. You will receive an email with a payment link through which you can pay the test fee.
  • If a spot becomes available in the queue, you will receive a notification by email.
  • To register, you will need Finnish online banking credentials. If you do not have credentials, you can register by entering your email address. Registration is done in person, and you cannot register on behalf of another person.
  • Check that all information is correct, including email.
  • You will receive information by email about a week before the test date. The message will include instructions for the YKI test and the time you should come for the test.
  • The tests will be held at Runeberginkatu 22-24, 00100 Helsinki.
  • If you need special arrangements, read the instructions on the OPH website, link below.

Register for the YKI test Applying for special arrangements Finnish National Board of Education: Before the YKI test

Canceling the YKI test

You can cancel your registration for the YKI test no later than 8 am on the morning of the test day.

  • If you used suomi.fi authentication to register:
    1. Log in to My Study Path.
    2. See your own registrations for the YKI test.
    3. Cancel registration.
  • If you used email authentication to register:
    1. Open the registration confirmation email. The email was sent from noreply@opintopolku.fiwhen you registered for the YKI test.
    2. Look for a link in your email to view your registration information.
    3. Open the link.
    4. Cancel registration.

If you cancel your registration, the degree fee will not be automatically refunded. You can apply for a refund of your degree fee from the Finnish National Board of Education. The Finnish National Board of Education will refund your degree fee if your application meets all the conditions set by law.

Starting January 1, 2026, registration cannot be transferred to another test date.

Courses organized at Helsinki Adult Education Institute

Finnish courses Swedish courses

Instructions and exercises for the Finnish language YKI test

Practice for the Finnish language YKI test