Exams

next session July 2024

Our next TRKI exam session will be held on 6th and 7th July 2024, and registration is now open. Sign up before 3rd May to get the early booking discount.

TRKI (ТРКИ – Тест по русскому языку как иностранному) is the official Russian test of Russian as a foreign language.

RLC is the only centre in the UK where you can sit the TRKI exam. We run sessions twice a year in January and July, and exams can be taken online or in person in London.

The TRKI exam can be taken at 6 different levels: Elementary, Basic, First, Second, Third and Fourth. These level names do not correspond precisely to RLC’s level names, but you can compare them by looking at our level guide, and clicking on the ‘equivalence’ tab.

We have also helped many students prepare for UK public examinations (GCSE, A Level, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Pre-U). If you would like to discuss this, please get in touch.

TRKI Level
Register and pay before 3rd May 2024
Register and pay after 3rd May 2024
Elementary, Basic, 1st Certificate (A1, A2, B1)
£240
£290
2nd, 3rd, 4th Certificate Levels (B2, C1, C2)
£270
£325

* Prices are quoted inclusive of VAT for privately-funded students only. If your exam fees are being paid for by your employer, VAT will be added to the above prices.

book a 1:1 assessment

Meet our expert TRKI examiners online. You’ll get a comprehensive level assessment and advice on how to prepare.

book a 1:1 assessment >

prepare with RLC

We offer a range of ways to help you get ready for the TRKI: preparation classes at different levels, mock exams and self-study modules.

prepare with RLC >

sign up for the exam

If you know your level you can sign up now. You’ll receive an information pack with a full syllabus, word list and a complete sample exam.

sign up for the exam >

self-assess online

Our online diagnostic quiz tests your grammar and vocabulary. It’s quick, free and gives you an instant guide to your TRKI level.

online test >

order your free information pack

Join our TRKI mailing list to get your pack with information on the different TRKI levels, syllabuses, the tests that make up the exam and links to sample papers.

order free information pack >

register for a TRKI webinar

Our live webinar provides all the basic information about the exams and gives you the chance to put questions direct to our TRKI coordinator.

register for a TRKI webinar >

More about TRKI

what is TRKI?

TRKI is the official Russian test of Russian as a foreign language, and we think it is the best Russian exam for adults currently available. It offers an adult-oriented syllabus, is available at different levels and is very accurate when it comes to determining your level of Russian. Its structure and effectiveness are similar to DELF in French, or TOEFL and Cambridge ESOL in English.

Preparing for this exam is a sure-fire way to motivate yourself to study, and to focus your language-learning. A TRKI qualification is also an impressive addition to your CV – but even if that isn’t a concern for you, it’s a great way to assess how far you have progressed and gives you something concrete to work towards.

TRKI levels

There are six TRKI levels available, which correspond to the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR). The table below gives an approximate number of hours required for each level, and shows how the first three levels correspond to RLC’s textbooks.

TRKI Level
CEFR
Total hours
Russian Made Clear
Elementary
A1
+/- 110
RMC Lesson 14
Basic
A2
+/- 200
RMC Lesson 19
First
B1
+/- 380
RMC Lesson 25
Second
B2
+/- 760
Third
C1
+/- 1100
Fourth
C2
+/- 1500

exam description

At all six levels the TRKI comprises five parts. Depending on the level, each part lasts between 30 minutes and 1½ hours. The exact number of questions depends on the level.

  1. Grammar – 70-100 multiple choice questions
  2. Reading – 20-30 multiple choice questions on one or more texts
  3. Writing – free writing on a set topic, 1-3 tasks
  4. Listening – 20-30 multiple choice questions
  5. Speaking – semi-prepared conversation with an examiner

exam timetable

The exam is held over a weekend. Candidates sit their written tests on one day and take their speaking and listening tests on the other day.

results

Results are normally available within one month of the exam. You will be issued an official certificate confirming your level and invited to an award ceremony to receive your certificate.

It is great to feel like I have made progress every week and I am always energised after the lessons.

Irina is a truly fantastic teacher.

I have enjoyed learning Russian with Irina. She is a very competent and learned teacher. I think that she is patient and very encouraging towards students.

The course is well run. I’ve really enjoyed it and Maria has been a great teacher!

I think the course has been really great. I have done a few other language courses (different languages) and this is the most engaging.

I am really enjoying my course. My teacher is Irina. She is very hardworking and the lessons are well prepared. She encourages the students and manages the lessons very well online.

Anna has made the experience so enjoyable and encouraged all the students to feel comfortable – I know this isn’t easy to achieve online but Anna has managed it really well!

Natasha is an excellent teacher, and this course has been very enjoyable!

Irina is great at prompting challenging sentences that practice what has been studied.

I love this course and Irina makes it very enjoyable. She is a fabulous teacher and I love my group too.

My teacher Maria is terrific, and all the staff members in the office I have spoken to have been amazing too.

Vera is very supportive and patient. She makes each lesson a fun and pleasurable occasion

Russian is just a hobby for me, I don’t need it for a spouse or work, so in those circumstances the only way you’re going to keep on trying is with a teacher like Lyuda.

This course has transformed my Russian, and our teacher Natasha is really knowledgable and explains the language process very well. I would highly recommend this course and look forward to returning next term.