Eesti keele kesktaseme test

This is an examination at an intermediate level based on the Council of Europe's Vantage specification, which tests candidates' ability to deal with a wide range of communicative situations with a certain degree of linguistic independence. They should demonstrate a sufficient level of linguistic resources, which allow them to express themselves with adequate fluency, correctness and accuracy.

There are four components:

Writing

Candidates are expected to complete two writing tasks. The first task is a guided transformation of a semi-formal letter. Topics vary from writing letters to contacting companies or service providers for various purposes. The main requirement for successful accomplishment of the task is to convey the message to the reader as comprehensibly and naturally as possible. Candidates should write approx. 120 words.

The second is a free writing task. A choice of two topics is given, out of which candidates must select one. Candidates should write approx. 160 words.

Reading

Candidates are expected to read longer, factual texts of various kinds and to understand the main points as well as specific details, the purpose and the attitude of the writer. Texts are usually authentic magazines, newspaper articles etc.

There are four tasks with twenty-five items of the following task types: multiple-choice, multiple-matching, multiple-choice gap-filling.

Listening

Candidates are expected to be able to understand texts such as messages, conversations, discussions, announcements, extracts from radio programmes, interviews, commentaries or news at an intermediate level. Candidates are expected to show understanding of gist, main points and specific information.

There are four texts lasting for forty minutes with a total of twenty items of the following task types: true/false, multiple-choice, gap-filling.

Speaking

The standard test format is two candidates. Prompt materials are used to stimulate and guide the interaction (photographs, pictures, guides).

Candidates are expected to show evidence of ability to organise their speech with coherence, to display an appropriate range of linguistic resources, to employ appropriately complex utterances and to interact in order to complete the task requirements.

The paper is divided into three sections, each one focuses on a different interaction.

Weighting of Components

Each component is equally weighted at 25% of the total marks.

Results

There are two grades: pass and fail. Candidates are considered to have passed if they obtain at least 60% in all components of the entire examination.