Are you coming to a Finnish test?
Entry level assessment for the clients of the Employment services
Welcome to the entry level assessment!
The Employment Services have booked you an appointment for an entry level assessment.
The entry level assessment will assess which Finnish language course is suitable for you. The test is not an entrance exam. You do not need to know Finnish.
The entry level assessment may include:
- a short discussion and information about learning Finnish
- an aloud reading test
- a dictation test
- a reading and writing test
- a logic test
- a maths test
- a speaking test
- a writing test
- a reading comprehension test
- a listening comprehension test.
Materials for self study and other useful links:
Testipiste – language assessment centre
Testipiste language assessment centre began its operation in the metropolitan area on April 1st, 2010 as a project funded by the European Social Fund (ELY Centre of Uusimaa), the city of Helsinki and the educational institutes involved in the project. The operation has become established since January 1st, 2014.
Initial language assessment
The initial language assessment service is offered in cooperation by four adult education institutes in the metropolitan area. Axxell Multicultural Centre is the coordinator, and CareeriaPlus, Eira High School for Adults and Taitotalo are partners.
The initial assessment takes place in Testipiste with a uniform model developed for testing the language proficiency of adult migrants. The aim of the assessment is to produce information about the clients’ proficiency in Finnish as well as other competences, so that a training plan matching their needs can be drawn up, thus speeding up their placement in a suitable training programme and advancing their entry into the labour market.
The test appointment is booked at an Employment and Economic Development Office (TE Office). The test starts with an interview. After the interview, there are several test tasks (e.g. reading aloud task, dictation, test of structural perception and mathematics, and for those who already speak Finnish there will be tests of speaking, writing, listening and reading comprehension), that help to determine the right integration study path and course level. The test is not an entrance exam but rather it is used to find the right training option for everyone.
Standardising language assessment
A further goal of Testipiste is to standardise and develop the assessment of language proficiency by offering a proficiency tests for the Finnish studies in integration training and by offering assessment training for teachers of Finnish as a second language as well as for others working together with migrant clients.
Coming to a Finnish test? Read an interview with our 20 000th test taker
6 years and 20 000 test takers! Congratulations Testipiste and François Roux!
François, 34, is quite typical examinee in Testipiste. He comes from France but has worked in many countries and on many continents in ICT field. In 2014 François came to Finland to work – but by accident. Even during his interview on skype he thought he was to go to Stockholm, Sweden. However, François says that Helsinki wasn’t a disappointment to him: Finland is Scandinavian enough and for a change on the same continent as his family living in France and Switzerland.
After two days in Helsinki François was already working. Official language in a multinational company was English and with French partners obviously French – so there wasn’t much room for Finnish. François did start a Finnish course but very soon it came clear that combining language studies with overseas business travels was quite impossible.
When an invitation to a placement test arrived in September 2016, François thought testing to be unnecessary. If one knows nothing but some 50 words of Finnish wouldn’t one start from the first course and from the first level?
In Testipiste François soon found out that there are lots of different courses available and that the suitable course depends on student’s education, experience in language learning, study skills and future plans. As a beginner, François had only four short tests to do: reading Finnish aloud, dictation, structural reasoning and math, which all tap into study skills. François says that he found tests to be reasonable, math even easy. Background interview and different tests took about one hour.
So, what comes next? Firstly, François hopes to find a job in Finland. He’d prefer to stay in Helsinki because his home and social life are here. A language course is a good option, too. François expects his Finnish course to be practical and not just about grammar.
François appreciates all support Finnish society gives to migrants and believes that support system would be different in most of the countries. On the other hand, it’s far too easy to live in Helsinki and just speak English. This seems to be a problem many migrants face.
Finally, Testipiste wishes his 20 000th test taker all the best in his language studies and the very best of luck with his search for finding work in ICT business as well. Bonne chance, François!
Thank you for the feedback!
So it's September and business as usual. We've had around 400 clients this month and asked them to give us some feedback. This is what they wrote:
* Thank u so much for your support and immediate result.
* Attitude of everybody is good. All are treated equally. That's nice. Thank you!
*Everyone was very nice and helpful, it was easy to find the place. It was a nice experience. Thank you.
* test facil et rapide et un bon encadrememt du personnel, j ai ete tes alaise
* They were all very polite and did their jobs in a professional and encouraging manner. Thanks!
* hyvät ja selvät kysymykset testissä
* The staff is great, very understanding, friendly. I felt at ease taking part in the testing period for the Finnish courses at this location. I very much appreciate their service and work.
* well well, i was very greatful to carry out the test though it was not that easy since have never speak nor read finnish before. on the other hand, it was good trying to learn a new language. cant wait to start the lesson or to start school cos will be happy to start.
* credo che il test di valutazione del T-office sia molto utile per indirizzare i propri studenti verso il piu giusto livello per la preparazione futura.
* I am extremely happy and satisfied with the help and services provided by Testipiste today. Keep up with the awesome work.
* The test was simple to understand and teachers here made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. Good Job.
* kiitos testista.Oli pitkä aikaa... Toivottavasti tulee hyvä tulokset.
* Very kind and welcoming center. One feels intimidated because of our language limits, but the staff ensures that all are comfortable when they are here. Thank you!
We are rather speechless... Much appreciated! Testipiste wishes you all the best!
It feels like Christmas...
We want to thank you for your very kind feedback and we wish you a merry Finnish course and a happy new year 2020!
* oli mukava kokemus, yllätyin itsekin, et niin hyvin meni:)
* Det var mycket trevligt bemötande av personalen. Mycket tydliga information om testet och trevliga personal.
* Tänanepäev läks yllatavalt hästi, kartsin,et ei oska midagi aga natuke ikka oskasin.Väga toredad inimesed kes seda koolitust läbiviisid. Suured kiitused :)
* Väga abivalmid öpetajad, köik oli arusaadav ja sujus hästi.
* Thank you for your kind attitude and quick processing of the test results.
* It was a very professional office, and the staff was very prompt, kind and helpful. Thank you.
* This is my first time to undergo an assessment of a language I am interested in learning and I must say that everything from start to finish was very efficient with regard to guiding me with the entire process. I came here intimidated by the idea of not knowing what to expect but Hanna was very accommodating and thoroughly explained to me what was going to take place and she was very helpful and friendly. The lovely woman in the exam classroom was also very pleasant in providing assistance. I'm grateful for the experience. Kiitos!
* Very positive experience. Tests were explained in a way I could understand and run very efficiently. Staff were all very helpful and polite.
* Je suis satisfait de l'acceuil et des tests effectués, adaptés à tous les niveaux de language et niveaux professionels. Je recommande!
* El trato excelente, y muy eficiente el servicio
* Todo funcionó excelente, se dieron el tiempo de explicarme cada uno de los procesos en inglés y en espanol. Muchas gracias!
* Hartelijk bedankt.
* Heel erg fijn om geholpen te Worden door het team hier bij Testipiste, behulpzaam en makkelijk om mee om te gaan. Goede plek om te beginnen aan de reis naar het begrip van Suomi!
* credo che il test di valutazione del T-office sia molto utile per indirizzare i propri studenti verso il piu giusto livello per la preparazione futura
* isha shum e knaqur me kete eksperienc si dhe me njerziteqe punojn kete
