State Polish Language Exam in 2024: When It Takes Place, How Much It Costs, and Who Needs It

The State Certification Exam in Polish is taken to officially confirm proficiency in the Polish language – for example, for employment purposes or to obtain an EU residence card. What else is this exam needed for, how much does it cost to take it, and when can you do so in 2024? Read on to find out.

When Will the State Certification Exams in Polish Take Place?

Each year, several exam dates are announced for the state certification examinations in Polish. They are typically held once per season. The first exams of this year took place on 4-5 February – adults had the opportunity to sit the B1 and B2 level exams. 20-21 April – B1 and C1 level exams for adults. 22-23 June – B1 and B2 levels, sessions for adults and for children. 16-17 November – the final exams of the year: B1, C1, and C2 levels for adults.

It is worth noting that the examination committees in April, June, and November will be held on Saturday and Sunday. The February exams took into account the needs of those who were unable to sit the exam on a Saturday for religious reasons.

How Much Does the Exam Cost and How Do You Register?

The registration rules and deadline vary depending on the institution administering the exam, so be sure to carefully review the procedure on the institution's website. The full list of institutions conducting the exam this year can be found at this link.

In some cases, you may be asked to make an advance payment and send your personal details by email in advance. In other cases, you simply need to fill in an online form and pay later.

How much does the exam cost? As of 2024, the prices are as follows. For beginner levels A1 and A2 – €120; For intermediate levels B1 and B2 – €150; For advanced levels C1 and C2 – €180. For teenagers aged 14-17, special exam sessions are available at levels A1, A2, B1, and B2. Price – €90.

Why Do You Need a Polish Language Certificate?

There are three main reasons to confirm your Polish language proficiency. 1. For employment in Poland – many job vacancies require knowledge of Polish. Of course, you can find work without it – for example, Gremi Personal has many vacancies for candidates with no language skills or experience. However, having a certificate will be a significant advantage when applying for skilled positions, and it is your competitive edge in the labour market.

1. A certificate is useful if you want to enrol at a university in Poland – most degree programmes require B2 level, and to qualify for free tuition – C1. It is also worth noting that basic Polish is sufficient to apply to vocational post-secondary schools.
2. A certificate confirming Polish language proficiency (at least B1) is also required to obtain an EU long-term residence card or Polish citizenship.

How the Polish Language Certification Exam Works

If you are sitting the exam at B1 level or above, you must complete tasks in 5 areas: ⇒ reading comprehension, ⇒ listening comprehension, ⇒ grammar, ⇒ writing, ⇒ speaking. The session itself lasts 1-2 days, with the second day typically devoted entirely to oral tasks.

At this link you can review the structure of exams at different levels.

How long does it take to receive the results of the Polish language certification exam? The typical waiting period is around two months. If you pass the exam successfully, the certificate takes another month to be produced, and there is an additional fee for it (currently €20).

Preparation is possible both independently and with a private tutor or through a course. Last year's tests are publicly available – you can view them here. And at this link you will find a list of preparation materials.

Is This Specific Exam Mandatory to Obtain an EU Residence Card?

The answer is no – there are alternatives. In June 2023, Poland added new entries to the list of accepted certificates. To obtain an EU long-term residence card, you must prove Polish language proficiency at a minimum of B1 level by presenting one of the following documents: ⇒ a certificate of Polish language proficiency after passing the state certification exam; ⇒ an ECL Polish language certificate – issued by the European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages; ⇒ a TELC Polish language certificate – issued by WBT Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH; ⇒ a Polish language certificate issued to graduates of Polish universities and other educational institutions (where instruction was in Polish); ⇒ a sworn translator qualification certificate issued by the Polish Ministry of Justice.

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