Estonian A2 and B1 Exam Practice
Practise all four sections of the official HARNO Estonian language exam, listening, reading, writing and speaking, with a timed mode that runs entirely in Estonian. The full guide to the exam follows below.
What you can practise
Every section of the exam, at both levels, with correction after each answer.
🎧 Listening
20 spoken dialogues across A2 and B1, played back in Estonian, with 98 comprehension questions.
📖 Reading
18 reading passages and 90 questions, on the everyday situations the exam actually uses.
✍️ Writing
6 writing tasks with a minimum word count, corrected against the exam criteria.
🎤 Speaking
10 speaking prompts answered out loud, from introducing yourself to arguing an opinion.
Two ways to work: practice mode, where you pick one skill and take as long as you need, and timed mode, which runs 45 minutes at A2 and 75 minutes at B1 under exam conditions, with every instruction and answer option in Estonian and no translation to fall back on. Questions are drawn in a different order every session.
Start practising freeOpiFluent is not affiliated with HARNO. Practice material follows the published exam format; it is not a past paper and does not replace official assessment.
🎓 Preparing a specific session? Estonian Exam Pack A2 + B1
Unlimited timed sessions, all four papers, writing corrected against the exam criteria. One payment of 59 €, both levels, six months of access, no subscription.
See the Exam Pack →What is the HARNO Estonian Language Exam?
The HARNO exam (administered by the Foundation for the Development of Education and Counselling, formerly known as Innove) is the official Estonian language proficiency test in Estonia. It is required for:
- Applying for Estonian citizenship (naturalisation)
- Obtaining a long-term residence permit
- Working in the public sector and many government-regulated professions
- Proving language proficiency for permanent residency
The exam is available at A2 level (basic user) and B1 level (independent user), corresponding to the CEFR framework.
The 4 Sections of the HARNO Exam
👂 Kuulamine, Listening
You listen to dialogues and monologues in Estonian and answer comprehension questions. Tests your ability to understand everyday spoken Estonian.
📖 Lugemine, Reading
You read short texts (menus, signs, emails, articles) and answer multiple-choice or short-answer questions about their content.
✍️ Kirjutamine, Writing
You write short texts such as emails, messages, or form completions. Tests basic written Estonian at A2 level or more structured writing at B1.
🗣️ Rääkimine, Speaking
A spoken interview with an examiner. You describe images, answer questions about everyday topics, and demonstrate conversational Estonian.
How to Prepare for the HARNO Exam with OpiFluent
OpiFluent is the only AI tutor built specifically for HARNO exam preparation. Unlike generic language apps, OpiFluent focuses on exactly what the exam tests:
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Access the full HARNO exam simulator, free with the Pro plan.
Try OpiFluent for Free →HARNO A2 vs B1, Which Level Do You Need?
A2, Basic User
- Required for Estonian citizenship (naturalisation)
- Minimum language requirement for most residence permits
- Can handle everyday situations: shopping, greetings, basic questions
- Recommended preparation time: 3-6 months
B1, Independent User
- Required for many public sector jobs in Estonia
- Needed for professions like teachers, police, healthcare
- Can understand and produce connected text on familiar topics
- Recommended preparation time: 6-12 months from A0
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the HARNO exam cost?
Nothing. The Estonian language proficiency exam is free of charge at every level, A2 and B1 included, according to HARNO. Only printed copies of the certificate are charged (1 euro per page).
Where can I take the HARNO exam?
HARNO exams are held at exam centres across Estonia, primarily in Tallinn, Tartu, Narva, and Pärnu. Some online testing may also be available.
How long is the HARNO exam valid?
A passed HARNO exam result is generally valid indefinitely for residence permit and citizenship applications. Always confirm with the relevant authorities.
Can I retake the HARNO exam if I fail?
Yes, and the retake is free as well. If your score was below 45 % of the possible points, you can re-register only after six months. Consistent daily practice with an app like OpiFluent significantly improves your chances on the next attempt.
How long does it take to reach A2 Estonian from zero?
Most learners reach A2 level in 3-6 months with consistent daily practice of 20-30 minutes. Estonian is considered a difficult language, but the grammar becomes more intuitive with regular speaking practice.
What Questions Are on the HARNO A2 Exam?
Each of the four sections tests a specific skill. Understanding the exact question formats helps you prepare more efficiently and avoid surprises on exam day.
👂 Kuulamine (Listening), ~20 minutes
You hear 3-4 audio recordings: a phone message, a short conversation in a shop or office, and a public announcement. Question types include:
- Multiple choice: "What time does the shop close?" (A) 17:00 (B) 18:00 (C) 19:00
- True/false statements about what a speaker said
- Gap-fill: write a number, name, or single word you heard
- Matching: connect a speaker to their topic or opinion
📖 Lugemine (Reading), ~30 minutes
You read 3-5 short texts: a classified ad, a menu, a short email, a notice, or a simple news snippet. Question types include:
- Multiple choice comprehension questions about the text
- Matching headings or sentences to paragraphs
- True/false/not given (does the text say this, contradict it, or not mention it?)
- Identifying the purpose of a text (advertisement, complaint, invitation, etc.)
✍️ Kirjutamine (Writing), ~30 minutes
Two writing tasks: one form-filling exercise and one short text of 40-60 words. Common prompts include:
- Fill in a registration form (name, address, date of birth, profession)
- Write a short informal email to a friend about a recent event
- Write a brief message to a neighbour, colleague, or landlord
- Describe yourself or your daily routine in a few sentences
🗣️ Rääkimine (Speaking), ~10-15 minutes
A face-to-face or recorded interview with an examiner. The speaking part typically has three phases:
- Introduction: answer questions about yourself (name, where you live, work, family)
- Picture description: describe what you see in a photo and answer follow-up questions
- Situational role-play: e.g., you need to buy a train ticket, ask for directions, or report a problem to a landlord
Common Mistakes That Cause Failure
Based on examiner feedback and candidate reports, these are the most frequent reasons people fail one or more sections of the HARNO A2 exam:
Mispronouncing õ, ä, ö, ü in the speaking part
Estonian has four vowels that do not exist in English, French, or Russian. Examiners specifically listen for these. Pronouncing 'õ' as 'o' or 'u', or 'ä' as 'a', signals insufficient preparation and loses points on the spoken fluency scale.
Wrong grammatical case in writing
Estonian has 14 cases. The most common writing errors are using the nominative (base form) instead of the genitive or partitive. For example, writing 'ma tahan kohv' instead of 'ma tahan kohvi' (partitive after tahan).
Confusing time expressions
Estonian time works differently from English. 'Kell pool kaks' means 1:30, not 2:30 (literally 'half two' means halfway to two). Candidates regularly mishear or miswrite times in the listening section.
Writing too little in the kirjutamine section
The minimum word count is strict. Answers that are technically correct but too short (under 35-40 words) receive a zero for that task. Always aim for the upper end of the suggested range.
Ignoring the pre-listening instructions
The exam gives 30-60 seconds to read the questions before each audio plays. Candidates who skip this lose track of what to listen for and miss key answers.
HARNO A2 Preparation Timeline
How long you need depends on your starting level and how much time you can invest each day. Here are three realistic tracks:
3-Month Track
Best for: learners with some prior exposure to Estonian, Finnish, or another Finno-Ugric language.
- 30-45 min/day of structured practice
- Focus heavily on speaking and pronunciation from day 1
- 2-3 mock exams in the final month
- Daily vocabulary review (20 words/day)
6-Month Track
Best for: complete beginners starting from zero, the most common and recommended path.
- 20-30 min/day, sustainable pace
- Months 1-2: alphabet, cases 1-5, basic vocabulary
- Months 3-4: all 14 cases, listening practice
- Months 5-6: mock exams and speaking simulation
Crash Course (6-8 weeks)
Best for: learners who already speak some Estonian (e.g., from a work environment) but have never studied formally.
- 60-90 min/day minimum
- Exam-format practice from week 1
- Identify gaps via mock exam first, then target them
- High risk, only viable if you have prior exposure
Cost, Registration, and Retake Rules
💶 Exam Fee
The HARNO exam is free of charge, at A2 and at B1. There is no registration fee and no fee to sit the exam: the only cost is your preparation. HARNO charges 1 euro per page only for printed copies of the certificate. Source: harno.ee.
📋 How to Register
Registration is done online through the HARNO test database (EIS) at harno.ee, with your Estonian personal identification code. Registration closes on the first day of the month before the exam: for the A2 exam of 7 November 2026 and the B1 exam of 8 November 2026, it closed on 1 October 2026. Registration for the 2027 sessions opens on 1 January 2027. Exams are held in Tallinn, Tartu, Narva and Jõhvi, and B1 also in Pärnu.
🔄 Retake Rules
If you fail, you can register for a later session, and since the exam is free a retake costs nothing. One rule to know: if your score is below 45 % of the possible points, or if you were absent without a valid reason, you can re-register only after six months. Above 45 %, you can sign up for the next session.
Pass mark: Each section is scored separately. You need to pass all four sections. The pass threshold is typically 60% per section for A2. You can fail one section and retake only that section, keeping your passing scores for the other three for up to two years.
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