Mother tongue and literature

The test in mother tongue and literature is a compulsory part of the examination. It is also possible to take the test in North Sámi, Inari Sámi or Skolt Sámi as the mother tongue test. Candidates with a foreign language background may replace the test in mother tongue and literature with a test in Finnish or Swedish as a second language and literature.

Read more about the regulations for the test in mother tongue and literature.

Structure of the tests 

The test materials consist of diverse and authentic materials. In addition to written, visual and graphic text materials, the broad concept of text also encompasses audiovisual texts, such as advertisements, videos, animations, or excerpts from television programmes, films or plays. The materials may also include an audio file, for example an excerpt from a radio interview, a news broadcast or a radio play. The materials may also consist of online texts or a website.

Reading literacy test: 

  • two parts: part I focuses on informational and media texts and part II on fictional texts
  • each part contains two tasks, from which one is selected
  • maximum score: 60

Writing skills test:

  • a single overarching theme with several tasks and materials
  • one task is selected, and at least two materials must be used
  • maximum score: 60

What is assessed in the test? 

The test in mother tongue and literature requires, among other things, skills in selecting sources and evaluating the reliability, validity and usability of information. It also emphasises skills in constructing knowledge, setting the purpose of a text, choosing an appropriate perspective, and delimiting the topic.

In the reading literacy test, candidates’ critical and cultural literacy is assessed, that is, their ability to analyse, interpret, evaluate and use a wide range of texts with an awareness of their purposes, modes of expression and contexts. The assessment focuses on the candidate’s overall reading literacy and the content of the response.

In the writing test, the task is to produce a reflective or argumentative text based on the provided materials. The assessment focuses in particular on the overall quality of writing, the structure of the text, and language and style.