FAQ

Oral A1: in case of family reunification for the issuance and renewal of residence permit B

 Oral A2 and written A1: in case of family reunification for the issuance of settlement permit C

 Oral A2 and written A1: for issuance of settlement permit C

 Oral B1 and Written A1: for the early issuance of settlement permit C

 Oral B1 and Written A2: for naturalization

There are three levels tested at the fide exam based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The three levels are the following:

A1 (Breakthrough or Beginner level):

• Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
• Can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have.
• Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A2 (Waystage or Elementary level):

• Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
• Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
• Can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

B1 (Threshold or Intermediate level):

• Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
• Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
• Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
• Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

The Oral exam is composed of a Speaking (20 ms.) and Understanding test (35 ms.), while during the Written exam (70 ms.) reading and writing skills are tested.

 The Oral exam (55 ms. – at B1 level 15 minutes extra preparation time):

• Speaking is an individual test with two licensed examiners. For each examination, two levels are tested to evaluate whether participant is more of level A1 or A2, A2 or B1, B1 or B2. The two examiners fill in an evaluation sheet based on participant’s linguistic output and subsequently they send the sheets to the fide Secretariat for electronic evaluation.
• Understanding is a group test where seating arrangements, identity checks, unauthorized aids, explanations of test structure, arrangements for leaving room during examination, exclusion criteria are all regulated. Participants take the same combination of levels as for Oral exam part. Subsequently, the participants’ documents will be sent to the fide Secretariat for electronic evaluation. 

The Written exam (70 ms.):

• Reading and writing skills are tested in a group. Just as for the Oral exam, for each examination, two levels are tested to evaluate whether participant is more of level A1 or A2, A2 or B1, B1 or B2. During test seating arrangements, identity checks, unauthorized aids, explanations of test structure, arrangements for leaving room, exclusion criteria are all regulated. The participants’ documents are sent to the fide Secretariat for electronic evaluation.

The active participation time of a participant at the Oral Exam is 15 minutes. During their exam, participants will be asked to name and describe people, places and the situation in a picture. They will be also requested to react to a simple situation based on the picture. The active participation time of the participant at the Comprehension Test is 30 ms. Participants will listen to 6 short audio texts and will have to tick 1 of the 3 images.

The active participation time of a participant at the Written exam is 60 minutes. During their exam, participants will read a text and will have to react by writing a short text message (SMS), fill in a simple registration form or note down essential information concerning place, time, price, etc.

The active participation time of a participant at the Oral Exam is 15 minutes. During their exam, participants will be asked to make, cancel or ask to reschedule an appointment over the phone as well as be able to take an active part in a conversation on a topic where (1) they have to express a preference or an opinion, (2) relate to an event or (3) describe a process or behavior. The active participation time of the participant at the Comprehension Test is 30 ms. Participants will listen to 6 short audio texts and will have to tick 1 of the 3 images.

The active participation time of a participant at the Written exam is 60 minutes. During their exam, participants will read a text and will have to react by writing a short text message (SMS), fill in a simple registration form or note down essential information concerning place, time, price; underline the information one is looking for in a text; reply to an email and make/reschedule/cancel an appointment.

The active participation time of a participant at the Oral Exam is 15 minutes with 15 extra minutes given for preparation. During their exam, participants will be asked to make a brief presentation on a sequence of events and subsequent questions are going to be asked to (1) explain something in detail, (2) justify something, (3) express or justify an opinion, formulate and justify a hypothesis. The active participation time of the participant at the Comprehension Test is 30 ms. Participants will listen to 6 short audio texts and will have to tick 1 of the 3 images.

The active participation time of a participant at the Written exam is 60 minutes. During their exam, participants (1) underline information in a text, (2) reply to an email to make/cancel an appointment, (3) read the description of 2 products and choose the correct ones from proposals, (4) write a review of an online purchase, (5) understand 4 short texts (advertisements for apprenticeship), (6) write a cover letter for an application for apprenticeship.