The exam is intended for all foreigners who are applying for Czech citizenship and need to document their Czech communications skills at the required B1 language proficiency level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Exam Parts
The exam comprises a written part and an oral part. The written part tests reading comprehension, listening comprehension, and writing skills. The written part is followed by the oral part, which tests speaking abilities. The net exam time is specified in the brackets.
WRITTEN PART OF EXAM
- Reading comprehension (50 minutes)
- Listening comprehension (30–35 minutes)
- Writing skills (60 minutes)
ORAL PART OF THE EXAM
- Speaking (15–18 minutes in groups of two)
Approximate schedule of the Czech Language Exam
Schedule A: written and oral Czech Language Exam on the same day
8:30 – 9:55 Registration 1
- Registration 1 is intended for candidates who are taking the entire exam or just the Czech Life and Institutions Exam.
10:00 – 10:40 Czech Life and Institutions Exam – written test
- The written test comprises 30 questions and takes 30 minutes.
- Approximately 10 minutes of the exam are devoted to preliminary test instructions.
10:15 – 10:45 Registration 2
- Registration 2 is intended for candidates who are taking only the Czech language exam.
11:00 – 14:15 Czech Language Exam – written part:
- Reading comprehension (50 minutes)
- Listening comprehension (30–35 minutes)
- Writing (60 minutes)
- Each part of the written exam has ca. 5-10 minutes for introductory instructions for the test.
- There is a 15-minute break after each subtest.
14:40 – 17:45 Czech Language Exam – oral part:
- Candidates are tested in pairs for the oral part of the exam (Speaking) (15–18 minutes for 2 candidates). The order of candidates and the time of the oral exam are drawn by lot. The oral exam is recorded for internal purposes.
Schedule B: on a given day, only the oral exam of the Czech language will be taken
8:30 – 17:30 Registration 3
- Registration 3 s intended for candidates who will only take the oral exam in Czech on that day.
9:00 – 18:00 Czech Language Exam – oral part:
- Candidates are tested in pairs for the oral part of the exam (Speaking) (15–18 minutes for 2 candidates). The order of candidates and the time of the oral exam are drawn by lot. The oral exam is recorded for internal purposes.
Exam Rules
The candidate has to observe the Exam Rules.
Before the examination, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the Information for Candidates.
Candidates shall use an ordinary pencil to write answers in the answer sheet and can use a rubber eraser to erase an incorrect answer. A same of the answer sheet can be found at Sample Czech Language Exam (B1).
Exam assessment
Overall assessment: Pass/Fail.
To receive a “Pass”, it is necessary to obtain a score of at least 60% on each part of the exam. In one of the written parts of the exam, only a score of 50% is required. If a candidate does not pass any part of the exam, they must repeat the entire exam. There is no limit to the number of times the exam can be repeated.
Information about exam results will not be provided by telephone or e-mail. Candidates will be able to view their results 30 days after the exam at this address: http://ujop.cuni.cz/obcanstvi/vysledky. ILCS CU issues certificates to successful candidates within 7 weeks of the exam. It is not possible to request that the exam be marked earlier and/or that the certificate be issued earlier. There is no time limit on the validity of the certificate. Certificates will be sent by post. To ensure delivery of your certificate, please check that the data provided in the application, including your name and address, are correct.
Signing up for the Czech Language Exam
The candidate can register for the exam electronically at any time using the online application on the website of the ILPS CU. The registration system will place the candidate on the waiting list according to his/her preferences according to: a) the exam location and b) the day (working days/Saturday), but will not place him/her on a specific date/term. Every time a new date opens (at least 14 days before it takes place), the registration system will register candidates for available places in the order of receipt of their application and with regard to their preference for the place and day of the exam in one specific test centre.
Czech Language Exam dates and venues
The dates for sitting the Czech Language Exam are listed here, the locations of the Czech Language Exam are listed here. The registration system will place the candidate on the waiting list according to their preferences according to: a) the exam location and b) the day (working days/Saturday), but will not place them on a specific date/term. Every time a new date opens (at least 14 days before it takes place), the registration system will register candidates for available places in the order of receipt of their application and with regard to their preference for the place and day of the exam in one specific test centre.
Czech Language Exam fee
The Czech Language Exam is subject to a fee. The fee is CZK 3,700 and is paid by bank transfer. After registering a candidate from the waiting list for a specific date and test centre, the candidate will receive a confirmation email with payment details and a deadline for paying the fee. The exam fee must be paid no later than 7 days after receiving the confirmation email. Proof of payment of the exam fee must be brought with you on the day of the exam (a document from online banking is also sufficient).
Who does not have to take the Czech Language Exam
Pursuant to Section 14(4) of the Czech Citizenship Act, the Czech Language Exam need not be taken by the following individuals:
- An applicant who documents that he or she has attended three years of basic, secondary or post-secondary school where classes were taught in Czech
- An applicant who on the date of submission of the Czech citizenship application was less than 15 years old or more than 65 years old
- An applicant with a physical or mental handicap that prevents him or her from learning Czech
- An applicant who documents that he or she has successfully completed an equivalent language exam (pursuant to Section 13 of the Decree on demonstrating knowledge of the Czech language and Czech culture and history for the purposes of granting Czech citizenship), which includes:
- School-leaving exam in Czech
- State Czech language exam taken at a language school with authorisation to give state language exams
- State final exam, state rigorous exam or state doctoral exam taken at a university as a party of a study programme taught in Czech
- A Czech as a foreign language exam for the B1 proficiency level or higher, certified by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) and given by a full-fledged member of this association
Recognition of documents is in the remit of the Ministry of the Interior. Documents for assessment are accepted by the Regional Authorities. ILPS CU does not assess these documents or decide on whether they should be recognised.
The Ministry of the Interior may, based on Section 15(3) of the Czech Citizenship Act, exempt Czech citizenship applicants from the obligation to demonstrate knowledge of the Czech language and the obligation to demonstrate knowledge of Czech life and institutions for reasons worthy of special consideration. The exemption request is submitted along with the Czech citizenship application, and such request has to contain an explanation of the specific reasons worthy of special consideration based on which the exemption request is filed.