How to prepare for the Russian Language Certification Testing

What kind of testing does the Pushkin Institute offer?

Russian language Certification Testing of the Pushkin Institute is a unique method of determining the level of proficiency in Russian as a foreign language, developed by university specialists.

The Pushkin Institute has been working in the field of certification of proficiency in Russian as a foreign language since 1992. The Institute has developed:

• Russian language testing programs for everyday communication for adults and school-age children;
• Russian language testing programs aimed at the field of business and commerce;
• Russian language testing programs in international tourism;
• Russian language testing programs for bilingual students.

Pushkin Institute certificates provide competitive advantages when applying to foreign educational institutions, finding jobs in international companies, as well as tourism and hotel management. 

Russian language certificates for bilingual students are used to confirm the level of proficiency in Russian as a foreign language among school-age children from families where Russian is used on an equal basis with another foreign language, and are provided to foreign educational institutions (schools, colleges, etc.).

How to prepare for an examination?

Preparation for exams to obtain a certificate from the Pushkin Institute requires a systematic approach. To pass the exam successfully, you should follow the following recommendations.

1. Determine your level of Russian. You can use the demo versions of the tests published on the institute's website and the help of practicing teachers of Russian as a foreign language.

2. Prepare for the exam comprehensively and train all types of speech activity:

• Listening: listen to podcasts, news;
• Reading: read adapted texts, articles, short stories;
• Writing: write essays, letters, complete assignments based on samples from demos;
• Speaking: Talk more with native Russian speakers of different ages and genders, and ask them to correct your mistakes.

3. Repeat grammar and vocabulary.

• Grammar: Repeat the key grammatical topics for your level (e.g. cases, verb aspects, tenses);
• Vocabulary: Learn and group words by topic (family, work, city, etc.), use mobile apps to memorize words and constructions.;

4. Pass trial tests. Do not forget that each part of the exam is limited in time. Get used to completing tasks in the allotted time.

5. Simulate an exam situation:

• ask a teacher or a friend to conduct the oral part;
• perform mock tests without hints or a dictionary.

This will help you avoid worrying about the exam and feel confident in the exam.

‘Gateway to Russia’ is thankful to the Pushkin Institute for their help in preparing this material.