People learning Russian often ask: how can I officially confirm my level? One of the main exams for this is TORFL (in Russian, abbreviated as TRKI). In this article we explain the exam levels, how they match the European scale and what parts the test consists of, based on information from official test centres.
What is TORFL (TRKI)?
TORFL is the state test of Russian as a foreign language. According to the Language Testing Centre of Saint Petersburg State University, this test consists of exams corresponding to six levels of Russian language proficiency.
In other words, there is no single "general" exam: each person chooses the level that matches their goal and preparation and takes the exam for that level.
The 6 levels of TORFL
According to the official test centre's list, the levels are:
- Elementary level (TEU)
- Basic level (TBU)
- First level (TRKI-I)
- Second level (TRKI-II)
- Third level (TRKI-III)
- Fourth level (TRKI-IV)
The abbreviations in brackets are the Russian names of the levels written in Latin letters.
TORFL levels and the A1–C2 scale
Job ads and course programmes often mention levels such as "B1" or "B2". These belong to the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The CEFR has six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
The Pushkin State Russian Language Institute maps TORFL levels to this scale as follows:
| TORFL level | CEFR level |
|---|---|
| Elementary (TEU) | A1 |
| Basic (TBU) | A2 |
| First (TRKI-I) | B1 |
| Second (TRKI-II) | B2 |
| Third (TRKI-III) | C1 |
| Fourth (TRKI-IV) | C2 |
What parts does the exam consist of?
According to the Pushkin Institute, the TORFL test consists of 5 parts (subtests):
- Reading — understanding a text;
- Writing — producing a written text;
- Vocabulary and grammar — word knowledge and grammar rules;
- Listening — understanding spoken language;
- Speaking — oral communication.
This structure shows that preparing for the exam should not be limited to memorising grammar rules. Listening and speaking are tested separately too, so it is useful to spend time on all four skills when preparing.
The TORFL certificate
According to the Pushkin Institute, the TORFL certificate is a state-issued certificate. It officially confirms that the person who passed the exam knows Russian at that level.
Which level should you start with?
When choosing a level, it helps to start from your goal:
- if you are just starting to learn the language for everyday communication, the first step is levels A1–A2;
- if your goal is independent use for work or study, levels B1–B2 are usually considered;
- levels C1–C2 are intended for a high professional level.
Summary
- TORFL (TRKI) is the state test of Russian as a foreign language.
- The test has 6 levels: Elementary, Basic, First, Second, Third and Fourth.
- The levels are mapped to the CEFR scale from A1 to C2.
- The exam has 5 parts: reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar, listening, speaking.
- The TORFL certificate is a state-issued certificate.
If you have questions about a Russian course or finding out your level, message us on WhatsApp: +994 77 754 10 12.
📚 Sources
🌐 The original article is in Azerbaijani; the official sources are available in Azerbaijani.
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