What’s the level of the Russian A2 test / TRKI Basic Level exam?

A2 is a level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. That’s a set of ability standards used by educators in Russian and many other languages. There are two CERFL “Basic” levels. A1 (“Breakthrough”) is the lower beginner level. Then, for upper beginners, comes A2 (obscurely called “Waystage”).

How good does your Russian have to be to pass the TORFL Basic Exam? In short, applying the CEFRL scale at A2 you need to be able to:

• understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment)
• communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters
• describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need

Sure, what you can say and understand at this level is still rather limited to expressing basic needs, communicating on the most common, everyday topics. You will still often only catch some of the main points of what’s being said, even if it’s expressed in clear speech that isn’t that fast.

But pause to reflect for a moment.

You’ll have covered many of the most frequent Russian grammatical patterns. You should be aiming for a vocabulary of about 1,300 words. With an active command of a lot of these words and patterns and a passive understanding of more of them, you can expect to be able to deal well with some important real-live situations when travelling.

Altogether, you have developed a wonderful skill that will help you connect with Russian-speaking people all over the world. This will transform your experience in countries where Russian is widely spoken.

For more information on where in Russian and abroad you can take the TRKI Basic level (A2) exam and for new possibilities to take it online, check out my overview post on Russian language exams. 

Let’s look at the format of each section in turn!

But first… 

My sources of information on the exam

I’ve based this post on two published “model” papers as guidance. First, the Russian Ministry of Education’s published sample paper (2001), which I call the Ministry Sample. Second, St Petersburg University’s Language Centre’s example paper (no date, but much more recent). I call this the St Petersburg Sample. I’ve also looked at the book TRKI na 100%. A2 published in 2020 (ISBN: 9785907123540) by Zlatoust’ publishers with St Petersburg University. This volume contains two complete past papers (actually used in testing centres). 

Together, these give a good idea of the type of tasks and the level but there are some differences of allotted time and format between them. I’d be inclined to go with the St Petersburg Sample and TRKI na 100% as they are the most up-to-date. TRKI na 100% is, in the main, consistent with the St Petersburg Sample but there are one or two differences (e.g. 10 minutes more than the St Petersburg Sample for the reading sub-test).

Given the differences between the sample papers and that the formats may change, be sure to check the most up-to-date format for yourself with your teacher / exam testing centre. Do this in good time before the exam, so that you don’t have any disconcerting surprises on exam day. 

Deep dive into the Russian TRKI Basic Level exam: section by section

The Russian A2 test is split into five parts called “sub-tests”.  Let’s look at each one in detail. 

Vocabulary and grammar sub-test

• Time allowed: 50 minutes
• MInistry Sample: 110 questions, St Petersburg Sample / TRKI na 100% – 100 questions

The questions are multi-choice with, variously, two, three or four possible answers to choose from.

Topics tested would typically include picking the right verb (tense and verbal aspect could be important here), choosing a noun in the correct case, choosing the missing preposition with the correct case ending, expressions of time. 

The time pressure will be on. Even if we go with the St Petersburg Sample / TRKI na 100% (“only” 100 questions instead of 110), you’ll only have thirty seconds per question. 

Reading sub-test 

• Time allowed: Ministry Sample and TRKI na 100% – 50 minutes; St Petersburg Sample 40 minutes
• Ministry Sample: 30 questions in three parts; St Petersburg Sample / TRKI na 100% – 30 questions in four parts
• Bilingual or Russian-only (paper-based) dictionary allowed

Part One of the Reading sub-test in the Ministry Sample starts with five short declarations of the sort you might find on an official notice board and you have to say what action is required to comply. For example: “Please do not smoke in the corridor”.  The answer could be: (a) “Do not smoke in the corridor”, (b) “You may smoke in the corridor” or (c) “Everyone smokes in the corridor”.  

Questions 6 to 10 are statements and you have to choose what follows logically. For example: “It’s so cold here”: (a) “Please close the window” (b) “Please turn the light on” or (c) “Please don’t smoke here”.  

Part One of the St Petersburg Sample and TRKI na 100% – Questions 1 to 5 – are of the same type as Questions 6 to 10 in the Ministry Paper (and there’s no equivalent of the “noticeboard announcements” in the Ministry Sample).  

In the St Petersburg Sample and TRKI na 100%, Questions 6 to 10 are a separate section, Part Two. There are five short texts of roughly 60 to 90 words each. You have to identify what each text is about (three possible answers). This deviation means that there is more text to read here than in the Ministry Sample.  

Part Two of the Ministry Sample (Questions 11 to 25) is a longer text: synopses of three Russian films. You have to choose the film to which each of fifteen statements applies.  This is Part Three of the St Petersburg Sample and TRKI na 100% (Questions 11 to 25) but they neverthless follow the same format at the Ministry Sample, with texts about three other films (in TRKI na 100% the topics are “Attitudes of young people towards  sport”  and “How people spend national holidays in Russia”). The total length is very roughly 300 to 350 words).   

Part Three of the Ministry Sample (Questions 26-30) or Part Four for the St Petersburg Sample / TRKI na 100% is another chunky text (again, about  300  to 350 words) and there are five multi-choice questions to test your understanding.  

Listening Sub-Test

• Time allowed: 30 minutes
• Ministry Sample: 30 questions in five parts; St Petersburg Sample / TRKI na 100% – 25 questions in five parts

According to TRKI na 100%, you will be given time to familiarise yourself with the written questions before the audio is played. 

All three of my sources come with transcripts of the audio and TRKI na 100% has QR codes for you to access the actual audio recordings online.  

In Part One of both Samples and TRKI na 100% (Questions 1 to 5) you hear phrases and have to choose which of three options conveys the same information.  For example was it “She came from America”, “She loves America” or “She was born in America” (Ministry Sample).  

Part Two (Questions 6 to 8) you have to identify what two people are talking about in a short dialogue or where they are, for example “at home”, “in a restaurant”, “in a shop” (St Petersburg Sample) . 

In Part Three (Questions 9 to 13), you have to identify what the “basic aim” of the dialogues is, which seems to mean the key information conveyed. There is a choice of three answers, such as “Lena goes to work…” (a) by car, (b) by bus or (c) by metro.

Ministry Sample Part Four (Questions 14 to 23) involves listening to one longer dialogue and answering comprehension-checking multi-choice questions (with two or three options).  The format is slightly different in the St Petersburg Sample (Questions 13 to 19). You have to listen to the dialogue and then fill in one piece of missing information in a grid. For example Question 18: “Elena Sergeevna is interested in (what?)” or Question 18: “Andrei will visit Elena Sergeevna (when?)”.  However, TRKI na 100% (Questions 13 to 19) is back with the Ministry Sample format: comprehension checking questions (three multi choice options for each answer). 

Ministry Sample Part Five (Questions 24 to 30) is a “text” (presumably a reading). There’s a choice of three answers for each question. In the St Petersburg Sample (Questions 20 to 25), there is also just one speaker, a tour guide (presumably giving a set spiel, so similar to a reading).  As in Part Four of the St Petersburg Sample, you have to fill in your answer in a grid.  Part Four of TRKI na 100% (Questions 20 to 25) is also a monologue (e.g. a radio advert), with three-option multi-choice questions.  

Writing Sub-Test

• Time allowed: 50 minutes
• Two tasks
• Bilingual or Russian-only (paper-based) dictionary allowed

Task One of the Ministry Paper is “Your friend is thinking of changing jobs. Write to him about how the hero of the story “How Victor chose his profession” solved this problem. There is then a list of six questions around which you may (should?) organise your answer. For example “What did Victor’s school friends say?” and “Why couldn’t Victor matriculate straight away at the Leningrad Institute?”  

This seems problematic. It’s not absolutely clear whether they require a letter (seems so). There’s no guidance as to length. Plus, there’s a rather long text to read in what’s supposed to be a test of your writing skills. That said, you’ll have a chunk of correct, “on message” Russian in front of your eyes as you do your own writing.  

In the St Petersburg Sample and TRKI na 100% , you have to write a letter to a friend (in TRKI na 100% Paper One the letter is about a recent trip you’ve made, in Paper Two – about your favourite sport. You have to write “not less than 12 phrases” and there are five things specified that you have to cover (e.g. How long your trip lasted; Why you chose this sport). There are also three things you have to ask your friend in the letter (e.g. Would s/he like to come to training with you? Where does your friend want to go on a trip?).

Task Two of the Ministry Sample is to write a letter to somebody living in Russia. You have to talk about yourself in not less than ten phrases.  There are then ten questions to help you, such as “What is your name?”, “Where do you live at the moment”.  These are clearly included as helpful prompts.  

Task Two of the St Petersburg Sample is to write a note. You’re going to be ten to fifteen minutes late to meet a friend. You have to ask the friend to wait for you in the agreed place.  The note should be “not shorter than five phrases”.  In a rather bizarre twist, it says that the message is “to be given over the phone” (dlia peredachu po telefonu). Who scripts their phone calls in real life (or leaves a message for somebody else to give over the phone)? In TRKI – na 100% Paper One the task is similar (but you’re writing a Whatsapp message).  

Speaking sub-test 

• Time allowed: Ministry Sample 50 minutes; St Petersburg Sample and TRKI na 100% – 25 minutes
• Ministry Sample: 4 tasks, thirteen “points of view”; St Petersburg Sample / TRKI na 100% – three tasks
• Bilingual or Russian-only (paper-based) dictionary allowed for the preparation of St Petersburg Sample / TRKI na 100% task 3

TRKI A2 na 100% says that you take the sub-test in a one-to-one format with the examiner and your performance is recorded. 

MInistry Sample Tasks 1 and 2 (positions 1 to 5) (3 minutes, no preparation time). No preparation in advance. For some reason, the Ministry Sample calls the first five “positions” “Tasks 1 and 2”, even though it looks more like one task. The examiner will give you a prompt. For example: “Today you are miserable. What’s wrong with you? Why do you feel bad today?” Your task is to respond (and you should give a full answer,  don’t just answer “Yes” or “No”). 

Task One of the St Petersburg Sample and TRKI na 100% is similar (five questions, ten minutes in total, including Task Two, below, no preparation time): you have to respond to the five prompt questions (repliki) with a “full answer” (not just “yes” or “no”). For example: “Do you often go to exhibitions, to museums?”. 

Ministry Sample Task 3 (positions 6 to 10)(4 minutes, no preparation time). You are given five situations and you have to come up with an opening salvo in a dialogue.  E.g. “You’ve come to the library to borrow a magazine. Explain to the librarian what you want”.

Task Two of the St Petersburg Sample / TRKI na 100% is similar (five situations, ten minutes in total including Task One, above, no preparation time). You are given five situations and have to start a dialogue on each one. For example: “You don’t know when your friend started college. Ask him.” 

Ministry Sample Task 4 (positions 11 to 12)(up to 25 minutes. It says 15 minutes preparation and “up to 8 minutes” for the answers but 15 + 8 is not 25 (!)). To answer both you have to read one text (roughly 300 words).. Position 11 is to explain the “problem that interests the author”, which is how a young male student would tell a young female student that he loves her. In the text, he asks three people what they think a young person would say but they all give different answers. Position 12: you must say what you would advise the author if he asked you how a young person would respond.  

Ministry Sample Task 5 (position 13) (10 minutes preparation, up to 10 minutes to answer).  You are given a situation to read about and have to prepare a statement (10 to 12 phrases). You can write a plan but you shouldn’t read out. The sample scenario is this: “A journalist who’s writing about how young people relax in their free time has come up to you on the street and asks you about this. You explain what you normally do during the holidays or on vacation.”  There are then six quite detailed prompts of information that the journalist needs to hear in what you say. For example: “about what you do when the weather is good and bad”.  

In the St Petersburg Sample /TRKI na 100% Task 3 (10 minutes preparation, bilingual or Russian-only dictionary allowed; 5 minutes to answer). You are given a scenario with five prompts as to aspects that you need to mention in your verbal report. For example “Sport in my life”. You can prepare notes but only for use as a prompt. Don’t try to read something you’ve written out.  

Where to take the Russian ToRFL A2 exam

You can take the Russian A2 test at different language testing centres (Russian universities or their local and international partners). Each will have their own timetables throughout the year. The large centres in Russia may run the test several times a month, some foreign centres may do so only once a year.

According to TRKI A2 na 100% you normally take the A2/Basic Level Russian test over two days. This is also the usual pattern at the Russian Language Centre in London, where I have taken the TRKI 2nd and 3rd Certificates (a partner centre of St Petersburg University).

On the first day it’s writing, reading and vocabulary/grammar sub-tests. On the second day: listening and speaking. However, if you have a good reason and inform the organisers in advance, it is also possible to take all the sub-tests in one day.  

One result of the COVID crisis was to give a spur to online learning and the Language Testing Centre of St Petersburg University now also offers the exam online (also over two days). 

Remember, always double check with your exam centre what their arrangements are.

Pass marks and certification 

You need to get at least 66% in each section to pass. If you fail one section with a result of not less than 60%, you will still get a certificate and the breakdown transcript will indicate “unsatisfactory” for this sub-test but the overall result will still be “satisfactory” (according to TRKI na 100%).  There is no grading other than “satisfactory” / “unsatisfactory” but the breakdown transcript will include your percentages for each sub-test and overall. 

Alternatives to the TRKI Basic Level Exam

Don’t forget that the ToRFL Basic Level is not your only Russian option at this level. TELC is one of the leading language exam bodies in Germany and they offer a the TELC A2 Russian exam. Also the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute in Moscow has its own exams at all levels. You can find out more on both providers in my overview post on Russian language exams. 

How to prepare for the Russian TRKI Basic Level A2 exam

You now have an in-depth sense of what the TRKI Basic Level Russian A2 test involves but how do you prepare for it? 

We’ve already talked about some of the practicalities around testing centres and where and when they hold the exam. You can find out more in my overview post on Russian language exams. 

Before you get any deeper into the practical side, you need to ask yourself whether you have the required level of Russian to pass the exam. My post on the grammar and vocab that you need for A2 for this level will help you there.

It would also make sense to talk to a teacher who is capable of assessing your level.  

If you are already at the requisite level across all the skills, your main task is to practise the format of the five sub-tests.

If your Russian still needs more work, then set a realistic date when you’d like to do the exam. Then you’ll have a great goal to keep you motivated. All you need then is a plan, the right materials to get stuck into and some help (especially for feedback on your written work and speaking practice).

Interested in consolidating and revising your A2-level Russian grammar as part of your preparation? Then check out my popular Focus in Five A2 Russian Grammar Revision Course.  

Удачи вам!

The post Russian A2 test: the TRKI Basic Level exam uncovered appeared first on How to get fluent, with Dr Popkins.

You may need a Russian exam as a prerequisite to matriculation at a Russian university. Maybe you want to live and work in the Russian Federation or another country where a knowledge of Russian is useful or even obtain Russian citizenship.

If you’re a regular on the site, you’ll know that I have taken language exams even though I had none of these external reasons.

To me, a certificate can be a great objective yardstick of your attainments so far. I’ve used registering for an exam to provide a focus and a medium-term target to work towards in the foreign language; a motivational tool rather than an end in themselves. You might fancy doing the same.

I weighed up the pros and cons of exams in a tool in a separate post and followed up with posts on “how to pass a foreign language exam” and “ten brilliant ways to beat language exam nerves”.

You may fancy trying a Russian test but be unsure about which Russian language exams on offer. If you’re asking yourself “Which Russian exam is best for me?”, you’re in the right place to get your initial questions answered. In the same way, if you’re wondering about where and when you could take a Russian language exam, read on!

TRKI Russian exams

TRKI stands for Тест по русскому языку как иностранному (Test in Russian as a foreign language) and is also known by its English acronym ToRFL.

The framework of the TRKI Russian tests is set out in Russian federal legislation.

There is no one body that runs the exams, such as the Goethe Institut for German. Instead, administration and the setting of papers is the responsibility of thirteen nominated lead institutions. These are the universities of Kazan, Tomsk, People’s Friendship (Moscow), Tyumen, Volgograd, Penza, Pskov, the University of the South West (in Kursk), the Herzen Pedagogical University (St Petersburg), the Pushkin Russian Language Institute (in Moscow), Moscow State University, Moscow Pedagogical University, Saint Petersburg State University).

The levels and structure of the papers set by each lead institution, strictly follow the centrally set framework.

What levels?

There are six TRKI/TORFL levels. These did not originally reference the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficiency/mastery) but have now been brought into line with it.

Elementary Level (TEL/A1) (ТЭУ: элементарный уровень). This aims to show competence in elementary communicative needs in a limited number of everyday situations. Minimum vocab: 780 words.

Basic Level (TBL/A2)(ТБУ: базовый уровень). The “Basic” level indicates that you can satisfy your communicative needs in a limited number of situations in everyday life and culture. Minimum vocab: 1300 words.

I’ve looked into this level in more detail here on the site in a post on the vocab and grammar that you need. and I’ve also written a full post lifting the lid on the format of the exam.

Look out too for my “Focus in Five” A2 Russian Grammar Revision Course. To be informed of when the course next runs, make sure you’re signed up to the free Howtogetfluent Email Club (and you’ll also get my language learner pro video training when you do). Sign up box at the bottom of this post.

The First Certificate (TORFL-I/B1) (ТРКИ-I: первый уровень). The First Certificate qualification is intended to show that you can meet your main communicative needs in everyday, cultural, educational and professional areas of life. Minimum vocab: 2300 words.

You generally need this certificate to apply to study for a first degree at a Russian higher education institution (though to graduate, you’ll need the Second Certificate).

Always be sure to double check the precise, current requirements of the institution you’re applying to as requirements vary and can change.

The Second Certificate (TORFL-II / B2)(ТРКИ-II: второй уровень). The Second Certficiate evidences a high level of competence in Russian. It shows that you have the Russian skills to cope in a wide range of different contexts situations. Minimum vocab: understand 10,000 words (active ability to use 6,000 of them).

You need this certificate to receive a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree from a Russian university (though the third certificate is needed to graduate in certain philology-related subjects).

This level also allows you to carry out professional activities in Russian in the social sciences and humanities (except for philology), engineering, natural sciences and so on.

I took this exam in London back in 2015 as a refresher to get my Russian back into gear (I have been a fluent Russian speaker for several decades).

The Third Certificate (TORFL-III / C1)(ТРКИ-III: третий уровень). The Third Certificate shows “a high level of language command in all communicative contexts”. Minimum vocab: understand 12,000 words (active ability to use 7,000 of them).

It’s a level which shows that you have the Russian skills needed to conduct professional activity in area where a good command of language is central: linguistics, translation, editing, journalism, international relations and management.

Many overseas translation/interpreting courses will require the Third Certificate (or equivalent), though some, for example the Masters course in Conference Interpreting at Heidelberg requires the Fourth Certificate:.

Here on the site. I’ve shared lots of info on my first attempt at the Third Certificate (passing four of the five sub-tests) and about how, a year later, I prepared for and passed the writing sub-test on the second attempt.

The Fourth Level Certificate (TORFL-IV / C2) (ТРКИ-IV: четвертый уровень). Meet the ultimate Russian “proficiency” exam. The fabled “Fourth Certificate” is supposed to provide evidence of competence close to that of a well-educated native Russian-speaker.

It also enables its holder to receive a Master of Arts degree in philology, undertake all forms of work in Russian philology.

I was so frustrated at the lack of information out there about this exam and the hype around its alleged difficulty that I jumped at the chance to interview five successful candidates here on the site. You can check out my first Russian TRKI 4th Certificate successful candidate interview, with Daria, the second candidate interview, with Barbara, the third interview with Aga, the fourth interview with Ivan and the fifth interview with Raffi.

TRKI/TORFL approach and content

The six exams all consist of five parts. These cover the “four skills” reading, writing, speaking and listening. So far, so usual.

Then there is a fifth part, which is more unusual: the vocabulary and grammar paper, which is a multi choice format.

Where and when can you take the TRKI/TORFL Russian exams in Russia?

Each of the leading institutions holds the exams themselves at their “home base”.

So, if you want to sit them there, you need to check the latest information on the website of the relevant institution for dates, fees and other requirements.

However, the info available online is not always up-to-date or complete (especially in English).

The St Petersburg State University Language Testing Centre website use to hold the exams weekly at their premises but now (mid 2022) my sense from their website is that the exam has moved online. You can book a one-to-one online consultation with one of their specialists in advance of an exam to discuss your needs. StPSU also co-operates with other institutions in 45 Russian regions and various locations overseas where you can take the StPSU-run exam.

The most user-friendly site I have found is the Pushkin Institute’s. Even here, I have only found upcoming dates and start times (so I presume you need to call or email to book in advance or – if they have a system where you can just turn up – to check what you need to bring (passport, fees etc) and that they are holding the exams on the advertised date.

Moscow State University’s pages are Byzantine in their complexity, for example and I still haven’t found when then next test dates are and how to apply as a “walk in” examinee. “MGU” (as the university is known) has a long-standing Institute of Russian Language and Culture but it isn’t possible to find up-to-date information about when the exams are held from its website in English or in Russian.

Kazan University has info here while Moscow’s Peoples Friendship University administers the tests through its Horizon Education Centre in Moscow and it appears to be possible to register for upcoming dates.

In all cases, don’t rely on the websites. Check directly with the institution before you plan your trip to Russia.

Most foreign visitors will probably be looking to take the exam in Moscow or St Petersburg, given their status as international travel hubs. However, many of the lead institutions also offer the exams in different places throughout Russia as well (for example, the Pushkin Institute lists a great many partners in the provinces).

Taking the TRKI/TORFL exams outside Russia

You can take the TRKI exams abroad

Each leading institution is free to authorise other bodies inside and outside the Russian Federation to run the exams under their supervision. This means you may be able to sit one of the exams without going to Russia (if it is easier for you to visit another country, for example because of travel costs or visa requirements).

The current list of St Petersburg State University’s current foreign partners are listed here, for example. None of the centres are in North America. This may explain why when I sat the TRKI third certificate in London, a young guy had flown in specially from Canada to take the second certificate (!).

To find out about dates and the cost of sitting the exam abroad, you therefore need to check the info of the body outside Russia that offering the exam.

Barbara, one of the successful TRKI Fourth Certificate candidates I’ve interviewed here on the site, took the exam at the Maxim Academie in Hamburg, which is a commercial school specialising only in Russian and a partner of St Petersburg State University.

I have taken the two TRKI exams at the Russian Language Centre in London. The RLC is a commercial school, located in the Puskin Institute (a charity that promotes Russian culture) in Bloomsbury, central London.

The first exam I took (TRKI 2nd Certficiate) was set by MGU but by the second one (TRKI Third Certificate), the RLC had come to a new partner arrangement with StPGU.

The RLC only offers the exams twice a year (usually January/early summer).

Be aware that these external bodies may also impose their own requirements.

For example, at the RLC the price varies according to whether or not you have done a language course with them.

If you are an “external candidate” you may also be required to take a RLC assessment before they enter you for the exam. I had to do this for TRKI 2nd Certificate as I came to the RLC “cold”. By the time I took TRKI 3rd Certificate, I had already done a summer class with them.

Some language schools outside Russia seem reluctant to offer the Fourth Certificate. This was certainly Aga’s experience (candidate interview). One reason for this, I suspect, is simply that there is a very small number of potential candidates.

If you contact local exam centres that are offering the other levels, they may be able to arrange for you to take the Fourth Certificate. Otherwise, you will need to travel to Russia (or Hamburg – see above).

Period of validity/Retaking the TRKI/TORFL Russian exams

On St Petersburg’s site, it says that you can fail two papers, retake them and still receive a full certificate (you have to pay the fee again). The Puskhin Institute says you can only retake one paper, within two years.

Given this conflicting information, I would check with the lead institution/local partner on the precise situation when you first do your exam.

You can, of course, retake the whole exam as many times as you want (though you should expect to have to pay full fees each time).

Keep in mind that the TRKI qualifications are only valid for two years after you pass. This is of no practical relevant for me, but it could be for you if you need a TRKI certificate for university entrance/graduation in Russia (check with your institution, in Russia or abroad).

TRKI – the verdict

The TRKI is the official Russian exam and this obviously counts in its favour even if the layout of the exams is rather staid.

The system suffers from the lack of a dedicated cultural organisation to market it and provide easily accessible information. For example, there was uncertainty about the format of one of the writing exercises before I took the Third Certificate.

The Russians are missing a trick here if you compare the big business and boost to culture around high level English or German exams, for example.

That said, the TRKI has the ultimate brand recognition that comes from that official certificate. You know where you stand and you have the option of doing it in various places around the world, such as London, if getting here is easier for you than a trip to Russia. Also a positive side-effect of the COVID crisis has been that St Petersburg State University’s Language Testing Centre now offers the TRKI exams online.

Practice exam papers for the TRKI/TORFL Russian test

There is only one “model” paper published for each level and they are all old (early 2000s).

However, St Petersburg University has worked up a second example paper (except for TRKI IV/C2) . You can see both sets of papers on St Petersburg’s site.

In comparison with other “big” languages such as French, Spanish, German or Japanese, there are far fewer commercially published textbooks for Russian as a foreign language and for exam preparation.

There are, however, some volumes of “mock” papers on sale for the various levels (except the Fourth), published by the commendable Zlatoust publishing house. The relevant volumes were central to both my Second and Third Certificate preparation. I am not aware of any other publisher who has brought out any practice materials.

The Russian Citizenship Exam

The state test of Russian as a foreign language for acceptance for citizenship is a an official Russian state exam but separate from the TRKI system.

It is described as “bazavoi”, suggesting that it is at the same level as the TRKI “basic” (A2) level.

The structure is the same as the TRKI exams: a “sub test” for each of the four skills, plus a vocab/grammar multi-choice test. There is some variation in the time allowed and the type and number of the tasks/questions, though.

The Pushkin Institute links to a fragment of a paper.

St Petersburg University has a full paper up on its site.

Both institutions (and others on the list) stage the exam and it can be taken in many other places in the Russian Federation.

The State Pushkin Russian Language Institute Exams

The Pushkin Institute has developed its own parallel system of exams.

These are general exams for adult learners which have a very similar five-part structure to the TRKI exams (which the Institute also offers), although with some variation on the time allowed and the number/design of the tasks.

In addition, the Pushkin Institute has its own specialist exams. There are exams for for school-aged children, both A1 to C2. Then there are three business Russian exams (B1 to C1) and four Russian language for international tourism exams.

You can take the exams at the Institute in Moscow or on one of its partner centres abroad. These are all in European countries (plus Turkey and Egypt).

As already mentioned (and potentially confusingly), the Pushkin Institute also offers the TRKI exams and the Russian citizenship exam.

Telc Exams for Russian

The other open-access Russian language exams that I’ve found are the Telc exams. Telc stands for “The European Language Certificates”. Telc is a non-profit company (gemeinnützige GmbH) based in Frankfurt-am-Main and belonging to the German Adult Education Association. German exams are Telc’s main focus but there are now exams in nine other languages as well, these include A1 to B2 levels in Russian.

The approach and feel of the Telc general exams seems have a more user-friendly, contemporary feel than the TRKI exams.

The Telc Russian exams consist of four modules (reading, writing, listening, speaking) with the length of time for each part increasing as you move up the scale.

You can see general material on the telc website though the detail and the mock papers (including audio material) are in Russian only.

Telc seems to be well-known in Germany and are well-respected exams.

There are over two thousand Telc test centres in over 20 countries (including in community colleges and in commercial language schools) and these set their own fees for the exam.

Despite this network, Telc is less widely known abroad, especially outside Europe. There are three exam centres listed for the UK on the website none of which I had ever heard of (which, of course, should not be held against them (!)). It is not clear whether they just offer the Telc exams for students of the English language. There is no US, Canadian, Australian or NZ centre listed.

It is also not clear that the Telc qualifications would be accepted as a B1 qualification for study in a Russian higher education institution. You should certainly check with your institution before you apply.

Despite all these caveats, if you have found a centre offering the exam, it could be a good choice if your main reason for doing an exam is to have a clear, objective medium term goal to spur you on.

—–))—ooOO–OOO–OOoo—((—–

Have you taken any of these Russian language exams? Do you plan to? Are there other exams out there that we Russian students should be looking at seriously? Let us know in the comments and questions below!

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Learn the Russian alphabet in an afternoon: three tricks

Get Russian verb aspects right every time

The post Russian language exams: a guide appeared first on How to get fluent, with Dr Popkins.

This is the first in a series looking at the different “staging posts” on the journey to fluent Russian. But why look at progress in Russian in this way?

Before we go any further: looking to brush up your Russian grammar skills? Check my “Focus in Five” upper beginner Russian grammar revision course (click here).

First, the “staging post” approach reminds you that it’s best to tackle learning Russian step by step, stage by stage. Learning a language is like climbing a mountain. Too many people look at the peak of Mount Russian, fancy the view from the top and then get discouraged and give up the ascent when they realise that you can’t get there in a hop, skip and a jump.

You know the score, really! You need to break the task down and set yourself interim staging posts.

If you’ve already set out with Russian and completed an introductory course (lower beginner or A1), this post’s for you because it sets out the next stage. It’ll also help you if you’ve already done a bit more Russian and are wondering whether you’re ready to move “into intermediate”.

Second, you might want to take an upper beginner/A2 Russian language exam. This could be to fulfil some external requirement (for example in education or employment) or as a way of motivating yourself. This post will make clear in general terms what you’ll be expected to do to pass an A2 Russian test. (Of course, you should always check the detailed syllabus requirements yourself before you start preparing for an exam). The next post in the series, I’ll look in detail at exam formats.

To get a handle on what upper beginners Russian – A2 Russian – might be, we’ll refer first to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).

The Common European Framework of Reference for language is a scale that sets out the skills you should aim for in six “levels” (from A1 beginner to C2 mastery). It’s used by students, teachers, course creators and examiners across a range of European languages, not just Russian. The scale isn’t perfect but it’s nonetheless useful.

The solid base on which you’ll build A2 Russian

In the first stage of the climb, A1, you’ve already notched up a lot of wins. You should be well on top of what we might call the basic “core” of the language.

You’ll know the sound system of Russian, even though you’ll still have to keep working on key differences between the Russian and English sound systems, such as the tricky Russian “ы” or difference between hard and soft consonants.

You’ll also have learned the Russian alphabet.

You’ll also have a good stock of basic vocabulary (maybe 700 or 800 hundred words).

This will include not just the most frequent words and expressions but also less common vocabulary that’s specifically relevant to your unique situation. I’d also encourage you to arm yourself at this stage with a stock of what I call “toolkit phrases” to help you get further in the language through the language (“How do I say x in Russian?”, “Could you please speak more slowly/repeat that/write that down”) and so on.

You’ll be familiar with a lot of the most common basic structural patterns of the language, it’s grammar.

Defining upper beginner’s Russian

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which – encouragingly – very much puts the focus on DOING not KNOWING and on what you CAN ALREADY DO as opposed to what you CAN’T. They call the upper beginner of A2 the “elementary” or “wayfarer” level on the CERFL “global scale”.

As an A2 basic user of Russian should be able to:

• Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment);

• Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters; and

• Describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

These aims are echoed in the criteria of the official language standards set by the Russian government to pass the requirements to pass the official “Foundation Level” (Базавый уровень) A2 exam. This is part of the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (ToRFL or, in Russian, TRKI) “official” Russian government Russian as a foreign language exam system, which runs from elementary (A1) to upper advanced (C2). ToRFL/TRKI is administered by several Russian universities and offered, under their auspices at various centres outside Russia.

Another body that offers Russian exams is TELC. They have published useful information about what you need to pass the TELC A2 Russian exam. The detail is of wider use for us as we seek to get a sense of what A2 Russian is all about.

The speaking skills you need for A2 Russian

The TRKI A2/foundation description says that the “foreigner” should be able to communicate essentials with a native speaker in a limited range of familiar situations connected with daily routine in social, cultural and educational life. It is emphasised that the linguistic range of the student will be pretty limited at this level.

TELC A2 Russian handbook also follows the CEFRL: “Level A2 is a transition from an exclusively functional level to the more complex….and discursive elements and the conversational situations of Level B1……at Level A2 short conversations are possible….”

To pass the ToRFL/TRKI A2 exam you’re expected to have the ability to perform basic tasks in a range of situations such dealing with officials, transactions in shops or ticket offices, at the post office or bank, in a restaurant or library, asking for directions or going on an excursion, visiting the doctor or a clinic and telephone calls.

You’re also expected to be able to talk about your own life and background, your studies or work, experience studying Russian, how you’ve spent your day, your hobbies and interests, you home town, health, the weather….

TELC sets out similar expected speaking “outcomes”. TELC mentions the ability to understand of the key points and additional information of simple announcements and the key points of a dialogue, even if you don’t understand everything.

Upper Beginner or A2 Russian listening and reading skills

Any conversation is not just about speaking. Half of it’s understanding the people you’re talking with. Then you need to understand things that are said “at” you (the dialogue of a film, the radio, announcements).

TELC helpfully describes some of the audio and written texts you’re expected to understand:

Audio: announcements over a public address system; recorded telephone messages; radio announcements (weather forecasts, traffic updates etc), communications in personal life and in meetings.

Reading: brief newspaper reports, short notices, simple (illustrated) information brochures, adverts, catalogues and posters, signs, written instructions, short letters, postcards, emails, tables of information (e.g. train timetables, shop opening times and menus).

At this level, the emphasis is getting the overall message of the “text” (audio or written) and extracting key information (even when you don’t understand everything).

Writing for upper beginner’s/A2 Russian

When it comes to writing, once again the emphasis is on producing simple texts in short sentences on the essentials of familiar topics.

This (as TELC explains) might be writing about daily life, where you live, descriptions of people, work or study. It could also be simple descriptions of events, activities or your personal experiences.

This may sound a limited goal but, in a language as grammatically complex as Russian, it’s still quite an achievement.

As to the forms of text you should be able to have a go at producing, TELC mentions filling in forms (for example a registration form), postcards or short personal letters, a short email, taking short notes or a short message.

How many words do I need to know for A2 Russian?

TRKI says that the “minimum” for A2 is an active command of a vocabulary of about 1,300 words. Of course, these will mainly be words connected with the sort of fundamental, everyday situations and topics we’ve mentioned above.

There is an official published list of the TRKI A2 “lexical minimum” (the key words you need).

If you’re up for it, you can download the list (or buy something similar) and learn the words by heart. I quite like a systematic approach to vocab, myself, though I know it’s not for everyone. Most people will meet the vocabulary bit by bit in the context of (we hope) engaging course material or informal contact with the language (the more, the better).

Things will move faster if you take a proactive approach to vocabulary acquisition. Just repeating, straining, writing out is not the most effective way to go, though.

How to learn basic Russian vocabulary

To increase your efficiency, there are several tricks that you should know.

The published word list unfortunately just contains individual words without example phrases to show ways that they can be correctly used.

It’s a good idea, though, not just to learn individual words, but also to try learning “chunks” of language.

Chunks could be “collocations”: two or more words that habitually go together in a set combination.

Beyond collocations, a chunk could even be a shortish phrase.

In effect a chunk could be any shortish combination of words that native speaker effortlessly deploy as a unit, as if one word.

Why learn chunks of Russian?

There are three reasons for giving chunking a major role in your Russian journey.

First, when you learn a word in context, you’ll find that word easier to remember.

Second, you’ll be sure you’ve chosen the right word to convey what you mean. More than that, learn a phrase rather than an individual word and you’ll be seeing the pronouns, adjectives or noun with the correct case endings and verbs will be conjugated correctly.

That feels a lot better than struggling to build phrase after phrase from the ground up. If you play that game, you run the risk of a word-for-word from English when Russian may expresses things differently. You may be understood, but you won’t sound like a native.

Third, it appears that one of the reasons we are able to speak and understand our native language so quickly is that natives process language as chunks. By focussing on chunks, you really are going with nature.

Learn in chunks and you’ll be able to speak not only more naturally and accurately, but also more rapidly.

Of course, in a language like Russian with its complex system of case declensions and verb conjugations, there are limits to the magic of “chunks”.

If you want to say something very close but a little different (e.g. a different number of people involved, an action repeated habitually or in the past of future), that will throw some of the “grammar” out.

Still, your “chunks” will help you develop a real feel for how the language behaves. If you also consciously practise the grammar on top, you should be able to adapt the phrase with more confidence than if you were trying to build a phrase “from the ground up”.

Used spaced recall to learn Russian vocabulary

“Spaced recall” means you’ll no longer be trying hard to commit something to memory once and hoping it sticks for ever. It means coming back to the word, phrase or point of grammar again and again at ever increasing intervals. You might learn it on day one, look again the next day, a few days down the line, one, three, six weeks and six months on, for example.

By repeating in this way, you help ensure that vocabulary ends up in your long term memory.

I’m stressing “spaced recall” not “spaced repetition”.

Don’t just come back to lists of Russian words or phrases side by side with the English translation. That’s exposure that’s too passive. Put a bit of grit in the oyster by testing yourself.

Look at the Russian and try and recall the English. Go the other way as much as you can, too (into the target language is more difficult).

One way to do spaced recall is with flashcards with the English on one side, Russian on the other. You could also have a Russian phrase on one side with a gap or two in it and the full phrase (in Russian) on the other side.

If you find flashcards boring another approach you might try is the gold list method.

Neither flashcarding nor goldlisting are for everybody and, even if you like such methods, they should take the place of lots of input in the language.

Get as much comprehensible input in Russian as you can

Listen and read….listen and read….and then…listen and read some more.

It’s not efficient to launch into native level material at this level, though.

The fact is, you won’t know enough vocab yet (you don’t have all the grammar either, but it’s vocab that’s the main problem).

Faced with material they can’t be expected to understand, most people will feel overwhelmed and discouraged (as well as quickly getting bored).

Instead, get the repetition and reinforcement by listening to and reading “graded” material. That’s audio/video and written texts aimed specially at you as an A2 Russian learner.

It’s useful to look at stuff you can easily understand – just below top A2 (to ensure more of that repetition and reenforcement (“overlearning” is the name of the game).

It’s also good to try material that stretches you a little bit – edging up into lower B1. If you understand nearly all the words and structures, you’ll have fighting chance of “acquiring” new words and patterns from the context.

Grammar for A2 Russian

Talking of patterns, what’s the range of grammar that you should know as an A2 Russian student? We can’t cover everything here, but here are some of the main things to aim for.

By the end of A2 you should have met all six Russian cases.

You aren’t expected to know all their uses but you’ll be practising the most common uses a lot.

This should include using the most common prepositions that require the various cases (for example when you’re talking about where something is – in, on, into, out of, behind….).

You’ll have learned how the cases and prepositions are used in the context of basic usage of the numbers, including telling the time and more general expressions of time such as on which day, in which month, years, dates.

You’ll know the noun declension patterns for all three genders and the plural. You’ll also be able to decline the long-form adjectives and will be able to recognise short-form adjectives. The declension of the personal pronouns (я/меня/мне/мной/мне; она/её/ей/ней etcю) should also be under your belt. You’ll also know the declension the most common questions words: “who” (кто) and “what” (что), of demonstrative pronouns “this” (этот) and “that” (тот), “determiners” such as “each” (каждый), “all” (весь). You’ll be able to decline “nobody” (никто) and “nothing” (ничего)…..

It’s an exciting milestone to have covered (still more to be able to deploy, if haltingly) all this and more.

You’ll also have learned a lot about the Russian verb system. That includes how the two “groups” conjugate in the past and present/future and how you can form the compound future with быть + imperfective. It also includes the common verb stem patterns.

Verbal “aspects” are, of course, an important feature in Russian and you’ll have learned how some of the most common “pairs” over verbs (imperfective/perfective) are formed. You’ll also have the essentials of when the imperfective or perfective are used in simple positive and negative expressions, in the “imperative” (making polite requests or giving commands).

You’ll have met the most common “paired” verbs of motion and learned how each one has two imperfectives (multi-directional and uni-directional) and how these and the perfective forms conjugate and are used. You’ll also have started to see how the use of prefixes can expand what we can do with the verbs of motion.

Grammar yes….but grammar in context

Sure, it’s useful to learn “about” the language but abstract “rules” with lists of exceptions will only take you so far. If you’re reading or writing you will have time to stop and think. If you’re listening and speaking, you won’t have time to try and recall a declension table.

For that, we’re back to mastering patterns. We’re back, really, to context and chunks and getting lots and lots of appropriate input to build up a “feel” for the language.

A2 Russian is an achievement to celebrate

I come across a lot of newbie language learners who set themselves ambitious targets in Russian. They never make them. No, you won’t be C2 by Christmas. You can, though, get off to a solid start in the basics of Russian by focussing initially on the beginner’s core that I mentioned at the start of this post. Then you can pause for breath and begin the next let to staging post A2.

Never underestimate what an achievement A2 is in Russian. Thirteen hundred words, six cases, the essentials of the verb system. If you make it to here, you’ve broken the back of the Russian language. The view from this far up is already very satisfying. Mmmm…I’m mixing my metaphors…probably time to finish for today.

I’ll be back soon, though for the next post in this series, when we’ll look at A2 Russian exams. Then I’ll continue the series with explorations of the other “levels” of Russian. If you sign up to the email list in the sign-up box below, you’ll hear when subsequent posts appear. Plus, you’ll get my free video training on “How to learn any language like a pro”, at any level. Don’t miss out!

The post A2 Russian: the upper beginner skills, vocabulary and grammar that you need appeared first on How to get fluent, with Dr Popkins.