The Test of Russian as a Foreign Language is based on a unified certification system for evaluating and certifying Russian language proficiency for non-native speakers. It takes into account the purpose of the use of language and competences required to achieve communicative intentions using the main language skills.

Information about the TORFL exam is available here.

The TORFL has six language proficiency levels, from A1 (beginner level), up to C2 (proficiency level) for those who have mastered the language:

A1 (Elementary Level Test)

Candidates who passed the A1 level test successfully (achieved a passing score) receive a certificate confirming the general knowledge of Russian as a foreign language and the candidate’s ability to deal with most basic communicative needs in a limited number of familiar sociocultural and educational situations. The beginner-level certificate holder has developed language competences necessary for further language learning to attain the A2 level of Russian language proficiency.

A2 (Basic Level Test)

Candidates who successfully passed the basic level test receive a certificate confirming the general knowledge of Russian as a foreign language and the candidate’s ability to deal with basic communicative needs in familiar sociocultural and educational situations. The basic level certificate holder has developed language competences necessary for further language learning to attain the B1 level of Russian language proficiency.

B1 (TORFL-I)

Candidates who passed the B1 level test (TORFL-I) successfully receive a certificate confirming the general knowledge of Russian as a foreign language at the intermediate level and the candidate’s ability to deal with communicative needs in social and cultural situations, regularly encountered at work, school, leisure. The B1 level certificate is required for admission to undergraduate programmes at Russian universities.

B2 (TORFL-II)

Candidates who successfully passed the B2 level test (TORFL-II) receive a certificate confirming the general knowledge of Russian as a foreign language at the upper-intermediate level and the candidate’s ability to deal effectively with communicative needs in different situations, including professional interaction in the fields of humanities, natural sciences, and engineering. The B2 level certificate is required for obtaining a bachelor’s and / or master’s degree at Russian universities.

C1 (TORFL-III)

Candidates who successfully passed the C1 level test (TORFL-III) receive a certificate confirming the general knowledge of Russian as a foreign language at the advanced level and the candidate’s ability to deal effectively with communicative needs in all situations, including professional interaction in the Russian-speaking professional environment. The holders of a C1 level certificate can work professionally as linguists, interpreters, translators, editors, journalists, or diplomats. The C1 level certificate is required for obtaining a bachelor’s, specialist’s, master’s degree, or a PhD in the aforementioned professional fields.

C2 (TORFL-IV)

Candidates who successfully passed the C2 level test (TORFL-IV) receive a certificate confirming the general knowledge of Russian as a foreign language at the near-native level of language competence. The C2 certificate is required for obtaining a specialist’s, master’s degree, and a PhD in Russian language and literature and Russian as a foreign language for teaching, research and academic work in the aforementioned fields of study.