Yesterday,
I went to Lahti to sit YKI keskitaso examination. So, no lyrics – just a
report how I survived it.
Registering
for exam
I would
say, it was one of the most difficult stages. I wanted to pass YKI last year
already (just in case), I was late to get registered for half an hour and then
everything was fully booked! Some centers had online registration that required
identification through Finnish online bank, some made people queue outside in
the morning.
What I did
was that I used the exam search function at http://www03.oph.fi/kielitutkinnot/. Then I filtered the exam centers that were closest to Helsinki, that did not
have complicated online registration (beware of possible technical problems
with bank identification and so on!) and where registration started as early as
possible on the known date. Wellamo-opisto in Lahti was a best match for me.
Registration started at midnight through simple online form and it takes 40
minutes – 1 hour to get there by train from Helsinki. At 8 next morning I
confirmed my registration by phone whereas at other exam centres registration
started only at 9.
Getting
ready
Well, I had
no time for Finnish language studies. Yes, I speak in Finnish to my colleagues
and friends. But I get used to slang and intonations and speaking styles of
people I am surrounded by. And I could never motivate myself to sit down and
practice tests.
What helped
me
- Mindmaps. I made a mind-map of the test parts to highlight most probable problems I may encounter.
- Habit tracker in my bullet journal. I had to set daily goals (read Kauppalehti 15 min/day, listen to podcasts at Supla 20 min/day, read tweets in Finnish and so on).
- Coordinating with my friends who are planning to pass YKI. Opintopiiri is such a great thing!
Exam
We started
with tekstin ymmärtäminen, then we had kirjoittaminen, then after 20 minute
break, we went to language studio to do puheen ymmärtäminen and puhuminen. It
was good that exam started at 11.30 – I left home at around 8, was in Lahti at
9 and had some time to drink coffee, walk around the city and get relaxed.
From organizational
point of view, puhuminen (speaking) was the most difficult one. I was thinking
that I would have to speak in front of a computer with timing shown, but we had
our speaking recorded in the old-fashioned language studio (there were 8 of
us). I did not train my “intuitional timing” so my strategy was just to talk
until the timing stops. Luckily, we had good headphones and I did not hear
voices of other examinees talking at the same time with me, just some
background “mumbling”.
If we speak
about question framing, puheen ymmärtäminen (listening) was a challenge. Some
recorded speakers had intonations much different from those I hear in my daily
life, some questions were framed a bit vaguely. Open questions was an
additional challenge because I was trying my best to make my answers look as clear
and readable as possible. Even after YKI, I still do not know what would be the
best strategy for listening when you have two listening times. Strategy I used
at IELTS did not help, because question framing in YKI is a way different
thing.
Kirjoittaminen
(writing) is definitely a challenge for those who have “problems with fantasy”.
I heard about after exam as well – some people are struggling about what to
write whereas it would be better to start writing anything (as long as it
answers the requirements) and take care of grammar constructions and language.
We had three tasks: letter to a friend about cancelling a meeting, letter to a
shop about defective product and one of two topics for discussion in the
internet forum. No one will check whether you are writing to your real friend
or whether you actually believe in when writing an opinion essay – please write
something and just make sure that it is coherent! And reserve around 10 minutes
for proofreading. My personal problem is that when I write I sometimes omit
some words and letters just out of hurry (in any languages). So I was really
strict in my timing to make sure that I have time to check what I have written.
Tekstin
ymmärtäminen (reading) was not that difficult. A couple of question were
formulated a bit vaguely, but otherwise it was quite easy. I had time to go
through all the texts one more time and check vague questions I marked with
question mark when answering for the first time. I would say that selection of
texts was really diverse and there were no really complicated texts. Just
remember to transfer your answers from the questions sheet to answer sheet and
you are alright!
At 15.42 I
was already in my train back to Helsinki. Results come in June – I am waiting
for that!
P.S. If you
feel that you will need YKI only to get citizenship, you are mistaken. If you
feel confident about your language skills, spare 120 EUR and time to pass the
test on Saturday (in total it takes no more than 4 hours), pass it! You may
probably need it for university admissions, proving your language skills for
different programs and it is just a fun. In some way.
Later, I
will reflect on some strategies how to prepare for YKI. Stay updated!
