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HARNO Estonian A2 Exam — What to Expect and How to Prepare (2026)
The HARNO A2 exam (keeleeksam A2) is the first major milestone for foreign residents in Estonia. Whether you need it for residency renewal, employment, or as a stepping stone toward B1 and citizenship, this guide breaks down exactly what the A2 exam tests, how each section works, and how to prepare effectively.
Updated April 2026 · 10 min read
A2 vs B1: which do you need?
A2 is required for long-term residency renewal and certain employment categories. B1 is required for Estonian citizenship (naturalization). If your goal is citizenship, you will eventually need B1, but many candidates take A2 first as an intermediate milestone and confidence booster.
Practice for the HARNO A2 exam
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The 4 Sections of the HARNO A2 Exam
The A2 exam tests all four language skills. Each section is worth 25% of the total score, and you must achieve at least 60% in every section to pass. Here is exactly what each section involves at the A2 level.
Kuulamine — Listening (25%)
~30 minutes · Multiple choice + gap fill
At A2 level, you listen to short, clearly spoken recordings at a slower-than-natural pace. Topics include everyday situations: shopping, asking for directions, making appointments, phone calls, and public announcements. Recordings are played twice. Question types include selecting the correct answer from 3 options, matching speakers to statements, and filling in missing words.
What to expect:
- 4-6 short recordings (30 seconds to 2 minutes each)
- Speakers talk at a measured pace with clear pronunciation
- Vocabulary limited to everyday topics: home, work, shopping, transport
- Numbers, dates, and times are frequently tested
- Each recording is played twice with a pause between
Lugemine — Reading (25%)
~35 minutes · Multiple choice + true/false
You read short, practical texts and answer comprehension questions. At A2, texts are simple and direct: notices, short personal messages, product labels, simple instructions, timetables, and brief newspaper announcements. You need to find specific information, understand the general meaning, and identify the purpose of each text.
What to expect:
- 5-7 short texts of varying formats
- True/false/not stated questions
- Multiple choice comprehension questions
- Matching headings or summaries to text sections
- Vocabulary is practical and high-frequency
Kirjutamine — Writing (25%)
~30 minutes · 80-120 words
At A2, the writing task asks you to produce a short, practical text of 80-120 words. Typical prompts include: writing a message to a friend, filling out a form with personal information, writing a short email to request information, or describing a simple situation. The focus is on communicating basic information clearly, not on literary style.
Scoring criteria:
- Task completion — did you address all points in the prompt?
- Vocabulary range — appropriate word choices for the situation
- Grammar accuracy — basic case endings and verb forms
- Coherence — logical flow and clear structure
- Format — appropriate greeting and closing for letters/emails
Rääkimine — Speaking (25%)
~15 minutes · Monologue + dialogue
The speaking section is conducted face-to-face with a HARNO examiner. At A2, it consists of two parts: a short monologue (1-2 minutes) on a familiar topic, and a guided dialogue where the examiner plays a role (shop assistant, receptionist, colleague) and you respond naturally. Topics are everyday situations where you need to communicate basic needs and share personal information.
Common A2 speaking topics:
- Introducing yourself: name, nationality, work, family
- Describing your home and neighborhood
- Talking about your daily routine
- Shopping: asking about prices, sizes, availability
- Making an appointment (doctor, hairdresser, office)
- Asking for and giving simple directions
Scoring: How the A2 Exam Is Graded
| Section | Weight | Minimum to Pass | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuulamine (Listening) | 25% | 60% | ~30 min |
| Lugemine (Reading) | 25% | 60% | ~35 min |
| Kirjutamine (Writing) | 25% | 60% | ~30 min |
| Rääkimine (Speaking) | 25% | 60% | ~15 min |
Important: You must reach 60% in every section independently. A brilliant reading score cannot compensate for a failed speaking section. If you fail one section, you only need to retake that section (not the entire exam), but you must wait at least 3 months. Your passing section results remain valid for 2 years.
5 Practical Tips for the A2 Exam
Master the most common 500 words
A2 vocabulary is limited to everyday, high-frequency words. Focus on the topics that appear most often: family, work, shopping, transport, health, and home. OpiFluent covers 1324 Estonian words across 22 topics — the first 500 are enough for solid A2 coverage.
Practice speaking every day — even 10 minutes
Speaking is the section where most A2 candidates fail. The reason is simple: they study vocabulary and grammar but never actually speak. Use OpiFluent's AI voice conversations for daily speaking practice. Even 10 minutes per day builds the automatic responses needed for the exam.
Learn the letter format for writing
The writing section almost always asks for a letter or email. Learn the standard Estonian format: greeting (Tere / Lugupeetud ...), body paragraphs, and closing (Lugupidamisega / Parimate soovidega). Having this structure memorized saves time and scores points automatically.
Do timed practice tests
Exam anxiety is real, and time pressure makes it worse. Practice under exam conditions: set a timer, do not use a dictionary, and complete all questions in one sitting. OpiFluent's ExamSim simulates the real format so there are no surprises on exam day.
Focus on numbers, dates, and times
These appear across all four sections — in listening (appointment times, prices), reading (timetables, announcements), writing (scheduling), and speaking (making arrangements). Practice saying and understanding Estonian numbers fluently, including ordinal numbers and clock times.
How OpiFluent Helps with A2 Preparation
ExamSim with real A2 format
Practice all four exam sections in the exact format used by HARNO. Multiple-choice, gap-fill, and written response questions mirror what you will face on exam day.
AI voice conversations
Practice speaking Estonian with an AI that responds naturally, corrects your mistakes, and adjusts to your level. Build the speaking confidence that most A2 candidates lack.
1324 words across 22 topics
Structured vocabulary covering all A2 topics: greetings, shopping, work, health, transport, home, food, and more. Each word includes pronunciation and contextual examples.
Chat-based writing practice
Write messages and responses in the chat feature and receive immediate AI feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and natural expression. Perfect for practicing the writing section format.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the HARNO A2 exam cost?
The exam fee is approximately 60-80 EUR depending on the testing period. Registration is through harno.ee. Some employer-sponsored integration programs cover the exam fee. If you fail and need to retake a section, the retake fee is typically lower than the full exam fee.
How long does it take to prepare for A2 from zero?
With consistent daily study of 1-2 hours, most learners can reach A2 level in 4-6 months. Estonian is classified as a Category IV language by FSI (44 weeks for English speakers), but the A2 level requires only basic communication skills. Living in Estonia and using the language daily significantly accelerates preparation.
Can I use a dictionary during the exam?
No. No dictionaries, phones, or reference materials are allowed during any section of the HARNO exam. This is why building vocabulary through repeated practice (not just memorization) is essential — you need to recall words under pressure without aids.
What if I already have A2 and want B1?
You register for the B1 exam separately through HARNO. The format is the same (4 sections, 60% pass per section) but at a higher difficulty level. Texts are longer, speech is faster, writing tasks require more structure, and speaking topics demand opinions and comparisons rather than just factual information.
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