Informal messages
A message to a friend or colleague: invite, thank, apologise, change plans.
Prepare for the YKI test with a coach at your side
The speaking and writing parts are the ones most learners fear, and the hardest to practise alone. SimuCoach gives you exam-style tasks and honest feedback on each one.
PerustasoA1–A2
KeskitasoB1–B2
Ylin tasoC1–C2
How do you prepare for the YKI test?
The best preparation for YKI is regular practice with exam-style tasks: write messages and opinion texts that cover every point of the task, record spoken answers within the time limit, and get feedback on what is missing. Learn the typical phrases for formal and informal messages and for giving opinions.
SimuCoach offers YKI-style writing and speaking tasks at basic (perustaso) and intermediate (keskitaso) level, each with guiding questions, useful phrases, a model answer and feedback with an estimated grade.
What is YKI?
YKI (Yleiset kielitutkinnot) is the Finnish National Certificate of Language Proficiency. It is often used to show language skills for Finnish citizenship and for jobs. The test has four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking, and three levels.
Rules for citizenship and registration change from time to time. Always check the current requirements with the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) and the Finnish National Agency for Education (OPH). migri.fi · oph.fi
PerustasoBasic level
Grades 1–2 · A1–A2
KeskitasoIntermediate level
Grades 3–4 · B1–B2
Ylin tasoAdvanced level
Grades 5–6 · C1–C2
What you can practise
Formal messages
Write to a shop, a landlord or an authority: complaints, returns, applications.
Opinion texts
Give and justify your opinion on everyday social topics.
Narration (kertominen)
Talk about yourself, your home, your work or a past event.
Situations (tilanteet)
React quickly and politely to everyday situations, as in the real test.
Opinion (mielipide)
Explain what you think and why, with clear linking words.
How a YKI task works in SimuCoach
- 1
Read the task in Finnish
Exactly as in the exam. Tap to see a translation if you need it.
- 2
Plan with guiding questions
Questions such as “Mitä tilasit? Milloin?” help you find what to say, plus useful phrases.
- 3
Write or speak your answer
Within a target length or time. The assistant can help you understand and plan.
- 4
Get feedback
Which points you covered, corrections, an improved version and an estimated grade.
An honest note
The grade SimuCoach gives is an estimate to guide your practice, not an official result. Speaking is assessed from the transcript of what you said, so pronunciation is not scored. Listening and reading practice for YKI is planned for a later version.
Questions and answers
Which YKI level do I need for Finnish citizenship?
Citizenship generally requires satisfactory oral and written skills, which in YKI usually means the intermediate level, grade 3, in the subtest combinations accepted by Migri. Check the current rules on migri.fi before you register.
How long is the YKI test?
The test covers four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking, and it usually takes most of a day. The exact schedule depends on the level and the test centre, so check the details from the organiser when you register.
Can I retake only one part of YKI?
Each part of YKI gets its own grade. Whether you can retake a single part depends on the current rules of the test organiser, so check them on the Finnish National Agency for Education (OPH) website.
Is SimuCoach an official YKI preparation course?
No. SimuCoach is an independent learning app. Its YKI-style tasks help you practise, but only the official test, organised by OPH and the University of Jyväskylä, gives a certificate.
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