Listening and reading in the A2 exam
Listening lasts 30 minutes and reading 50 minutes. Each part is scored out of 20 points. In every task you choose an answer or write a word or a number.
Listening tasks
- Choose a picture, number or word. For example, the question “Mis kell väljub Tallinna–Tartu rong?” with the options 20.05, 20.15 and 20.25.
- Decide whether a statement is true or false (õige / vale).
- Write a word or a number, for example the answer to “Mitu tundi reis kestab?”.
- Match days of the week with activities. Two options are left over.
In the booklet’s answer key for the short-answer task, both the digit and the word are accepted (4 or neli), as are different forms of a word (pannkook, pannkooke).
What to pay attention to
- Read the questions before the recording starts.
- Review how times are said: pool viis (4:30), veerand kuus (5:15), kolmveerand seitse (6:45).
- Listen to the end. The words ei, mitte, aga and hoopis can change the meaning.
- In the true/false task, a word from the statement may appear in the recording even though the meaning is different.
- It helps to listen to Estonian every day: radio, ERR programmes, Keeleklikk videos.
Reading tasks
- Choose the right reply. For example, “Pole viga.” is a reply to “Kuidas sul läheb?”
- Decide which of three texts a statement refers to.
- Match signs and notices with explanations. For example, “Libe põrand!” means “Siin peab olema väga ettevaatlik.”
- Read a text and answer questions by choosing A, B or C.
- Fill the gaps in a letter by choosing one word out of three.
Common replies
- Pole viga.
- Not bad.
- Palju õnne!
- Congratulations!
- Jõudu!
- Good luck!
- Anna andeks! / Vabandust!
- Sorry! / Excuse me!
- Olgu (nii).
- OK, fine.
- Ole terve!
- Bless you!
- Pole vaja.
- No need.
- Muidugi!
- Of course!
- Head aega! / Nägemiseni!
- Goodbye!
Signs and notices
- Avatud / Suletud
- Open / Closed
- Tõmba / Lükka
- Pull / Push
- Sissepääs / Väljapääs
- Entrance / Exit
- Tasuta
- Free
- Keelatud
- Forbidden
- Libe!
- Slippery!
- Märg värv
- Wet paint
- Mitte suitsetada
- No smoking
- Hoia pilet alles!
- Keep your ticket!
Reading tips
- The booklet has 30 questions in 50 minutes, about a minute and a half per question. If a question is hard, come back to it later.
- For gaps, look at the neighbouring words. For example, in “Eile ___ ootamatult haigeks” the answer is jäin, because the phrase is haigeks jääma.
- If there are more options than you need, first choose the ones you are sure of.
- Write answer letters in capitals: A, B, C.
Exam details are taken from Harno materials in September 2026. Rules can change, so check them on the Harno website before your exam.