The speaking part of the B1 exam — a paired conversation and a roleplay

The speaking part differs from the other three in one important way: you don't do it alone. The conversation happens between two candidates and one examiner — if the number of candidates is odd, the last candidate speaks directly with the examiner.

How it works

The part lasts about 15 minutes and opens with a short warm-up: the examiner introduces themselves the way you would when meeting someone for the first time, and asks the candidates to introduce themselves and answer a few questions. Every answer is recorded and later assessed from the recording by two independent assessors.

Two tasks

The first task is a two-part conversation. First the examiner picks questions from a topic sheet and you answer in turn. Then you discuss the same topic with each other and must reach an agreement or a decision based on a given situation, supported by a picture-based idea card.

This "reaching agreement" isn't a formality — the official guidance states directly that the task is considered well performed when the candidates reach an agreement. That means you have to not just talk, but also listen to your partner and respond to what they say.

The second task is an information-exchange roleplay. Each candidate gets a card: one gets a question card, the other an answer card. The question-card holder plays someone calling the institution named on the card; the answer-card holder plays an employee of that institution. You ask for and give information according to what's on your card.

Why having a partner is good, not bad

Many people worry that an unfamiliar partner makes the exam harder. In practice it helps: you don't have to talk alone for 15 minutes — you get to react, ask for clarification, and build the conversation together. If your partner answers briefly, that's your chance to show initiative — ask a follow-up question, don't just wait.

How to practise

• Practise out loud, not in your head. Speaking ability can't be assessed mentally — the feel for pronunciation and pace only comes from actually speaking.
• Practise reaching agreement, not just answering. Most practice material focuses on question-and-answer; also practise expressing agreement, disagreement and compromise ("maybe it would be better…", "I agree, but…").
• Practise both sides of the roleplay. The question-card and answer-card roles need different skills — one asks precisely, the other gives information in a structured way.

This site's speaking exercises let you practise oral answers with AI feedback, though the real exam's paired conversation also needs a real conversation partner — practise it with family or a friend, using the same topic-sheet format.

Sources: Eesti keele B1-taseme eksam — eristuskiri (test specification, Harno); Information sheet for the Estonian language proficiency examinee (Harno, 2025). Facts reviewed 14 September 2026.

An explanatory article, not legal advice.