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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:

29.3.2025 (Finnish), registration starts on 3.2.2025

5.4.2025 (Swedish), registration starts February 17.2.2025, XNUMX

24.5.2025 (Finnish), registration starts on 7.4.2025

30.8.2025 (Finnish and Swedish), registration starts on June 2.6.2025, XNUMX

3.10.2025 (Finnish and Swedish), registration starts on June 18.8.2025, XNUMX

8.11.2025 (Finnish), registration starts on 22.9.2025

15.11.2025 (Swedish), registration starts February 29.9.2025, XNUMX

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 €176. 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.
  • If you are unable to take the YKI test, please notify us immediately by email at toimisto@helao.fi. You will need a certificate of illness or other compelling reason if you wish to postpone or cancel your registration for the YKI test. See instructions on postponing and canceling registration From the Finnish National Board of Education website.

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

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