Hungarian Language Proficiency Tests
Origo Hungarian language proficiency exam is offered by the Centre for Foreign Languages (Idegennyelvi Tovabbkepző Kozpont, or ITK) in association with the Helicon Society. It is an autonomous non-profit institution of higher learning and a countrywide language examination centre under the sponsorship and supervision of the Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE).
The institution carries out the standardized assessment of knowledge of the Hungarian language and culture within the framework of a modern system of examinations. There are four different levels -
- Level A2 – Waystage User/Entry Level
- Level B1 – Threshold User/Foundation
- Level B2 – Interdependent User/Intermediate
- Level C1 – Competent User/Advanced.
The exams are staged on these four levels of language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and all the exams are accredited by the Hungarian government. This makes these exams officially acknowledged across the globe.
The exam indicates that you have an accredited certification in Hungarian and it helps you gain admission in educational institutions in Hungary which require a proof of a student’s knowledge of Hungarian – for personal and professional settings. The exam is held four times a year.
Format of the Hungarian Language Proficiency Exam
Exams are offered at four different levels. The exams are also rated according to the European Council’s 6-level scale. The levels comprise of a written exam as well as oral exam and are for candidates aged 14 years or older.
Waystage User/Entry Level-“Level A2” (Belepo): This examination assesses how well the candidate can fulfill the most basic communication demands of daily life.
Oral Exam: The oral exam consists of a guided discussion of about 5 minutes and a situational role-play of about 5 minutes. It also consists of few audio readings. The candidate is required to listen to those readings and perform the task. It is of 20 minutes.
Written Exam: Consists of a reading comprehension and writing task. The duration of this exam is 60 minutes.
“Level B1” - Threshold User/Foundation (Alapfok): This examination assesses whether the candidates can fulfill the basic communication needs of everyday life and whether they can create and keep up the societal and professional relationships at a basic level in Hungarian language settings.
Oral Exam: The oral exam consists of a guided discussion, short dialogues and a situational role-play.
Written Exam: Consists of a reading comprehension, essay writing, and language proficiency exercises.
“Level B2” - Independent User/Intermediate (Kozepfok): This examination assesses whether the candidates can create and keep up the societal and professional relationships in a Hungarian language settings. This level comprises of a written exam as well as oral exam and is for candidates aged 14 years or older.
Oral Exam: The oral exam consists of a guided conversation, situational role-play and a discussion based on the visual stimuli.
Written Exam: Consists of a reading comprehension, essay writing and language proficiency exercises.
“Level C1” - Competent User/Advanced (Felsofok): This examination assesses how well a candidates can approximate the linguistic and cultural performance of native speakers in a Hungarian language environment. At this level, the candidates can read, write and speak like the native speakers do, carry out research and other activities among them, and expand their knowledge of the culture, history and literature of the language. The candidates must possess an advanced lexicon and must be acquainted with different language registers.
Oral Exam: The oral exam consists of a guided conversation, situational role-play, a discussion based on the visual stimuli and text interpretation.
Written Exam: Consists of a reading comprehension, essay writing, text interpretation, and language proficiency exercises.
Levels A2, B1, B2, and C1 are internationally recognized levels as determined by the Council of Europe.
Registration and Fees
To know about the registration process, visit https://eclexam.eu/ The fee varies for each examination type.
Results and Scoring
Waystage User/Entry Level (A2)- Oral Exam: The total score is 40 points and minimum passing score is 24 points.
- Written Exam: The total score is 20 points and minimum passing score is 12 points.
Threshold/Foundation Level (B1)- Oral Exam: The total score is given out of 60 points and minimum passing score is 36 points.
- Written Exam: The total score is given out of 50 points and minimum passing score is 30 points.
Interdependent/Intermediate Level (B2)- Oral Exam: The total score is given out of 70 points and minimum passing score is 42 points.
- Written Exam: The total score is given out of 80 points and minimum passing score is 48 points.
Advanced Level (C1)- Oral Exam: The total score is given out of 80 points and minimum passing score is 48 points.
- Written Exam: The total score is given out of 100 points and minimum passing score is 60 points.
The results are generally declared within 30 days after the test day.