The Pushkin Institute again “prints” certificates for migrants

Is it always necessary to take a test?

It is necessary to confirm knowledge of the national language both when obtaining citizenship in the general manner and when applying for a simplified procedure. However, not everyone needs to be tested. According to clause 10 of the Regulations approved by Presidential Decree No. 1325 , language proficiency can be proven by presenting:

1. a school certificate (at least 9 grades), issued during the USSR in one of the union republics, or a certificate received in the Russian Federation;
2. a diploma obtained in the Soviet Union or on the territory of modern Russia.

Education documents - be it a certificate or diploma - must be provided in the original. The diploma is presented together with an attachment containing grades.

“Duplicates of education documents in many regions are not suitable for obtaining citizenship. Although when applying for temporary residence permits and temporary residence permits, duplicates are accepted,”

— say foreign citizens who have already submitted documents

If there is neither one nor the other, then all that remains is to take the Russian citizenship exam and receive a certificate based on its results.

Sample certificate

It is the certificate that confirms that the applicant can speak fluently in Russian.

Who doesn't need an exam?

There are several categories of migrants who do not need to prove their language proficiency at all. Such citizens are not required to take tests or present educational documents.

The test stage is skipped:

• men over 65 years ; women who are 60 years old ;
• children under 18 years old;
• disabled people of group I;
• if citizenship is obtained through the state project of Russian speakers , then applicants also submit documents without an exam;
• participants of the State Resettlement Program;
• foreigners receiving citizenship under the quadripartite agreement ;
• Residents of Donbass who comply with Decrees No. 183 and 187 are not required to have any educational documents or pass a Russian language exam;
• citizens of the Republic of Belarus , they only need to present their diploma or certificate of completion from a Belarusian educational institution.

Who must take the exam and who is exempt from it

Most categories of foreign citizens who apply for Russian citizenship are required to confirm their knowledge of the Russian language. To do this, you need to pass a citizenship test - state testing, and receive a certificate of completion. Tests on history and knowledge of Russian law are not taken in order to obtain citizenship; they are only necessary to obtain a temporary residence permit and residence permit.

We will describe in detail how to pass the test below, but first we will focus on which categories of foreigners should not take the Russian language exam for citizenship.

The fact is that passing an exam is only one way to confirm your knowledge of Russian. There are many ways to do without it.

Thus, you will not need to take the Russian language test for Russian citizenship if you have:

1. A document confirming education (general, secondary, higher) in the USSR, received before September 1, 1991. A duplicate of such a document will also do. The document can be issued in any country that was part of the USSR at the time of its collapse (including Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc.).
2. A document confirming education in Russia after the collapse of the USSR, or a duplicate thereof.
3. A document of education issued in a state in which Russian is recognized as the state language (for example, the Republic of Belarus).

There are categories of citizens who do not have to prove knowledge of the Russian language at all. There is no obligation to pass exams in the Russian language to obtain citizenship for men and women of retirement age (men over 65 years old, women over 60 years old); incompetent; disabled people of group I.

All of the above rules are enshrined in clause 10 of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation “On approval of the Regulations on the procedure for considering issues of citizenship of the Russian Federation” dated November 14, 2002 No. 1325 (hereinafter referred to as Regulation No. 1325).

In addition, the need to confirm Russian language proficiency depends on the basis on which a foreign citizen receives Russian citizenship. If the procedure for obtaining citizenship is general, then confirmation is required. But for some simplified reasons, proof of Russian proficiency is not required to obtain citizenship.

In particular, the following are exempt from the need to confirm knowledge of the Russian language:

1. Foreigners who receive Russian citizenship under the Russian speaker program. It is assumed that they already know the language, since they have received a decision from a special commission recognizing them as native speakers (clause “g. 1”, clause 14 of Regulation No. 1325).
2. Veterans of the Great Patriotic War who live in Russia and had USSR citizenship (clause “g”, clause 14 of Regulation No. 1325).
3. Participants in the State Program for the Resettlement of Compatriots (clause “z”, clause 14 of Regulation No. 1325).

Before you pay money and take the citizenship exam, check to see if you are exempt from the requirement to prove your knowledge of the Russian language.

Structure of the citizenship exam

There is only one subject - Russian language . The history and legislation of the Russian Federation are not included in the citizenship test.

Candidates are tested in five areas (subtests):

1. They look at how well a person knows vocabulary and grammar . The examinee is asked to solve 85 test tasks.
2. They check whether the candidate can write in Russian , for example, whether he is able to fill out official forms. This block includes 3 tasks: you need to fill out a questionnaire, an official form and sign a postcard.
3. During the “Reading” , examiners look at whether a person is able to understand the text read and identify the main information in it.
4. “Listening” subtest should show how well a migrant perceives Russian speech by ear. You will listen to 9 texts on various topics, and then you will have to complete 15 tasks for them.
5. During the “Speaking” , they check whether a foreigner is able to communicate in Russian at the social and everyday level. It is proposed to role-play one of the proposed situations: calling the clinic, buying groceries, etc.

Be sure to say hello and goodbye when you act out the situation. Otherwise, your points may be reduced!

Where is the test taken?

The exam can be administered by educational organizations included in the list approved by the Ministry of Education.

List of educational institutions where you can take the exam in Russian as a foreign language

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There are currently 13 institutions on the list. But this does not mean that foreigners from the regions need to go, for example, to Moscow to take the test. The universities on the list have so-called testing centers that operate throughout Russia.

Therefore, you can find such a center in your city by using an Internet search or asking an inspector (just check whether the organization is accredited by the university on the list).

The cost of the Russian citizenship exam is not fixed. For example, in the Moscow migration center Sakharovo the procedure costs 3,500 rubles, at the Pushkin Institute - 4,500 rubles, at Moscow State University and RUDN University they ask for 6,000 rubles.

Step-by-step procedure - from choosing a testing center to taking the exam

So, you must take Russian language testing for citizenship. Here is a step-by-step plan for further actions:

• First of all, you need to choose which educational institution to take testing for foreign citizens. Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia “On approval of the list of educational organizations conducting state testing in Russian as a foreign language” dated February 22, 2018 No. 130 determines the list of educational institutions that have the right to conduct testing.

Inclusion in this list of educational institutions is carried out annually by the Ministry of Education and Science. Among the universities today are the State University of Friendship of Peoples - RUDN University, Penza and Pskov State Universities.

It should also be taken into account that official testing centers have the right to enter into agreements with any educational organizations that will administer exams in any city in any region, on behalf of the official center. You can find test centers in many Russian cities;

• We will describe further steps using the example of one of the testing centers. Please note that any center has an official website that contains information about the procedure for taking tests. You will need to sign up for the Russian citizenship exams on a specific date. Let's assume you have chosen the Head Testing Center for Foreign Citizens of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov. Testing takes place at the address: 117218, Moscow, st. Krzhizhanovskogo, 18, cor. 1, room 23. Phone numbers for appointments: +7 (499) 724-23-21;
• After registering for the test to obtain Russian citizenship, you will need to fill out an application. For example, at the testing center for foreign citizens of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov uses the following statement:

You can download the application from the link;

• On the selected date, you must come to the testing center and pay for the test. How much does the citizenship test cost is a key question. The price for it is the same throughout Russia. In 2021, the cost of Russian language testing to obtain Russian citizenship is 6,000 rubles. A receipt for payment is issued at the testing center and paid at the bank, so it is recommended to arrive in advance. For citizens of the DPR and LPR, discounts are usually provided - often up to 50%, and sometimes larger;
• pass a comprehensive exam to obtain Russian citizenship. You must take with you: a completed application; original identification document (passport with translation, residence permit, refugee certificate); a copy of the passport and its translation, or the first page of the residence permit; test payment receipt; blue pen;
• After successful completion, you will receive a certificate in the Russian language to obtain citizenship

That's it, you can apply for Russian citizenship.

Submission procedure

In different testing centers, the procedure is carried out approximately according to the same scheme:

1. First, find out the exam time. In many institutions, you do not need to pre-register - you just need to look at the testing dates on the website and come at the specified time.
2. Usually, foreign citizens are asked to fill out a simple application for testing, indicating basic information - full name, date of birth, type of exam.
3. Different documents may be required. Therefore, check the list on the website of the educational organization or by phone. For example, RUDN University asks to present a passport (and its translation) and a migration card (original).
4. Pay for the service before the exam.
5. Before starting the procedure, the examiner provides instructions, explaining in detail the essence of the tasks. At this stage you can ask questions.
6. The testing itself takes an average of 3.5 hours.

Before taking the exam, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of the institution. Here, for example, are the requirements of RUDN University . In addition to the obvious rules (do not cheat, do not bring mobile phones, do not talk), there are also unusual ones, for example, you cannot discuss the topic of religion or the political situation in the Russian Federation and the world with other participants. For violating the rules, you will be removed from the Russian citizenship exam and the money will not be returned. But these are the requirements of RUDN University. We do not claim that they apply to other organizations.

Number of points for successful completion

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Testing will be considered passed if the migrant scores 66% correct answers on each subtest. If four subtests are passed and one is failed, then you can retake it (the part that was not passed is retaken) for half the price of the exam. If a candidate does not score enough points in two or more parts, then the entire exam will be retaken and the full cost will be paid.

The citizenship certificate is unlimited. Issuance time is 10 days. But usually the results become known very quickly: within 1 - 3 days.

The document is issued personally to the migrant who took the tests. If a foreign citizen cannot pick up the certificate himself, then he needs to issue a notarized power of attorney for the person who will come to collect the document.

Sample power of attorney

Sample power of attorney

Russian language testing procedure

The testing procedure is determined in the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia “On approval of the form and procedure for state testing in Russian as a foreign language” dated June 18, 2014 No. 667 (hereinafter referred to as Procedure No. 667).

Based on clause 5 of Order No. 667, the exam is accepted by a commission headed by the chairman. It must consist of at least 4 people who have higher education in the specialties of Philology and Linguistics, with more than 5 years of work experience. The test consists of the blocks that we wrote about above, and based on the results of passing it, a certificate of knowledge of the Russian language is issued to obtain citizenship.

Important! The law does not establish specific questionnaires; they are compiled by testing organizations. To obtain Russian citizenship, you must know the Russian language at a level not lower than basic.

Have a question? We'll answer by phone! The call is free!

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All 5 mandatory testing blocks are taken on the same day. The exam is comprehensive, so examiners can understand how well a foreigner speaks Russian. Each block is aimed at testing a particular skill:

1. The reading block allows you to determine whether a foreign citizen can read and understand the meaning of what he read.
2. The writing block allows examiners to determine how well a foreigner can write, and whether he can write at all, and how well he can express his thoughts.
3. The vocabulary/grammar block allows you to check how developed a foreigner’s vocabulary is, whether he can construct phrases by connecting words familiar to him according to their meaning.
4. Listening allows you to determine whether a foreign citizen can understand a speech spoken in Russian and reproduce it in his own words.
5. An oral exam (speaking) allows examiners to communicate with the examinee orally, check how he can conduct a conversation in Russian, and answer questions asked.

You cannot use reference books or dictionaries during testing. In addition, mobile phones, laptops, etc. are prohibited. Talking during testing is also strictly prohibited; all information about the test is given during instruction; asking questions to the examiners during the test is prohibited. After the time for completing each block has expired, the completed tests with answers are handed over to the examiners.

Violations may result in cancellation of test results, and the Russian citizenship exam will be repeated for a fee.

Exam preparation

To successfully pass the Russian language exam, you need to prepare for it in advance. The minimum you need to do is to familiarize yourself with the typical test tasks and try to solve them. It will also be useful to read textbooks on the Russian language, repeat the rules of grammar and punctuation. If possible, work with a tutor or take paid preparatory courses.

Online test for Russian citizenship

There are many resources on the Internet where you will find typical tasks, questions and answers. In particular, on our website you can take a citizenship test. To do this, follow the online test link and complete the tasks.

Knowledge assessment system and retake option

In order to pass, you must score at least 66% correct answers for each block. There are times when this cannot be done. In this case, it is possible to retake a separate block, but for a fee - 50% of the cost of the test (3000 rubles, if there are no benefits).

If 2 or more blocks are not passed, then the entire exam must be retaken. In this case, you will have to pay the cost of the tests again in full (6,000 rubles if there are no benefits).

Important! You can retake it not only at the selected testing center, but also at any other (we provided the list for review at the beginning of the article, but in practice there are many more of them, because each of them enters into agreements with other centers that take exams on behalf of official centers) .

If the exam is passed, a certificate is issued within 10 days. It is this that must be provided along with other documents for Russian citizenship when submitting them to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for migration issues.

Thus, to successfully pass the Russian language exam for Russian citizenship, you will need to select a testing center, pay 6,000 rubles (if you are not eligible for a discount), sign up for testing, prepare the necessary documents, and successfully pass 5 test blocks. Those who pass the test are issued a certificate of passing the test, which must be presented to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Migration Issues to obtain citizenship, along with other necessary documents.

Typical citizenship exam tasks

Please note that different tasks await foreigners at different testing centers. That is, there is no one test on which everyone takes the exam, and therefore it is impossible to know in advance what questions you will get. But we will give examples of typical questions and answers for the Russian citizenship exam.

Subtest "Vocabulary. Grammar"

This subtest usually gives a sentence in which a phrase is missing. You need to choose the correct answer from several options. We show you what the questions and answers to this part of the citizenship exam look like.

Of course, there will be more such questions directly at the citizenship exam - 85. We just gave a couple of examples so that you understand the level of complexity of the tasks.

For more questions and answers, take our online citizenship practice test.

Time is Up!

Subtest "Reading"

In this part of the test, the candidate will be asked to read a passage of text. The task is to understand what exactly the text is about, what its meaning is. During the exam, there are pieces of text from advertisements, messages, or simply from information articles. Next to this passage there will be several answer options - you need to choose the correct one that meaningfully matches the text.

There are usually about 15 such tasks in the “Reading” section of the citizenship exam. For more examples, check out our online mock citizenship exam.

Time is Up!

Subtest "Writing"

This section tests how well the candidate speaks written Russian. Usually they ask you to fill out some kind of questionnaire, form, or write an application.

Example assignment. Study the situation and complete the task.

You have worked for a company for three years and now want to quit. Write a letter of resignation of your own free will.

Photo: screenshot from the site rf-test.ru

Subtest "Speaking"

This section of the exam is oral. Usually divided into two parts:

1. In the first, you will be asked to imagine yourself in a situation. For example, buying a ticket at the box office or going through an interview. It will be necessary to initiate dialogue depending on the situation.
2. In the second part there will be a conversation-interview with the examiner.

Example situation:

Imagine that you are in a foreign city and you need to find out how to get to the bus station. Ask a passerby how to do this.

The correct approach in this situation would be to adhere to the following scheme:

• Say hello, apologize, explain the situation;
• Find out what transport you can use to get to the bus station;
• Find out how long it takes to get to the bus station;
• Find out which stop to get off at;
• Thank your interlocutor.

Common Citizenship Test Questions

We will immediately answer frequently asked questions regarding whether or not testing is necessary in different situations.

1. I am currently studying at a university located in the Russian Federation. Do I need to take tests?

Yes, it is required. Those who are still studying and have not received their education document will have to take an exam

2. Is the certificate that I received when applying for a temporary residence permit/residence permit suitable for citizenship?

No, the Russian citizenship exam is different from testing for a residence permit and temporary residence permit.

3. Is it possible to take the test remotely?

Although the law stipulates that the Russian citizenship exam can be taken remotely, tests are not currently conducted in this format.

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