Czech A2/B1 language exam — frequently asked questions

What Czech language exams exist for immigration purposes?

Two official exams matter for foreigners in the Czech Republic: the A2 exam, required for permanent residency (trvalý pobyt), and the B1 exam, required for Czech citizenship (together with a separate reálie/civics exam). Both are part of the same nationally coordinated CKZK system (Certifikovaná zkouška z češtiny pro cizince) — there is no "state exam vs. private exam" choice like in some other countries. The A2 exam is delivered by a network of NPI ČR–coordinated authorized schools; the B1 exam and the reálie exam are both administered by ÚJOP UK (Charles University's Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies).

Official source: cestina-pro-cizince.cz

A2 or B1 — which exam do I need?

It depends on what you are applying for. A2 is the language requirement for permanent residency (trvalý pobyt). B1, plus reálie, is the language requirement for citizenship (státní občanství). These are two separate legal requirements tied to two separate procedures — passing the A2 exam for a residency application does not automatically satisfy the B1/reálie requirement if you later apply for citizenship, and the two exams are not interchangeable. If you plan to apply for citizenship eventually, confirm with NPI ČR / ÚJOP UK whether your A2 result has any bearing on that later process, or whether you'll need to sit B1 and reálie separately regardless.

Which exam is required for permanent residency?

The A2 exam, under Nařízení vlády č. 31/2016 Sb. (Government Regulation No. 31/2016 Coll.), as amended by Regulation 199/2021 (which raised the requirement from A1 to A2) and Regulation 282/2023.

Official source: cestina-pro-cizince.cz — A2

Which exam is required for Czech citizenship?

Citizenship requires TWO separate exams, both administered by ÚJOP UK: a B1 language exam, and a separate reálie (civics) exam. Both are required under zákon č. 186/2013 Sb. (the Czech Citizenship Act), §14, in force since 1 January 2014 — the reálie requirement is not a recent addition; it has existed since the law itself.

Official source: ÚJOP UK — B1 exam · reálie exam

What does the A2 exam consist of?

Four parts:

• Reading — 40 min, 25 items across 5 task types
• Writing — 25 min: a form plus 3 open questions, and an email of at least 35 words
• Listening — about 40 min, 25 items across 5 task types
• Speaking — 15 min: 4 tasks (question-and-answer, two role-plays, narrating a picture story, and negotiating a situation) plus a phonetics check

Official source: A2 exam structure — cestina-pro-cizince.cz

How long does the A2 exam take?

The written part takes about 105 minutes in total — reading 40 minutes, writing 25 minutes and listening roughly 40 minutes. The oral part (speaking) takes 15 minutes and is taken separately, usually on the same day. Once you add registration, the break and waiting for your speaking slot, plan for roughly half a day at the exam centre.

Official source: A2 exam structure — cestina-pro-cizince.cz

How is A2 speaking scored — what am I tested on?

In 15 minutes you go through 4 speaking tasks — answering questions, two short role-play situations, telling a story from a sequence of pictures, and negotiating an everyday situation — plus a phonetics (pronunciation) check. All of that is pooled into the 40-point speaking total, which must reach at least 60% (≥24/40) to pass — see the next question for the exact pass rule.

What's the A2 pass rule?

You need at least 60% of the pooled written score (Reading + Writing + Listening combined, ≥42 out of 70) AND at least 60% of the speaking score (≥24 out of 40). These are two pooled gates across the whole written block and the oral part — NOT a separate 50% threshold checked module by module.

What happens if I fail the A2 exam?

If you don't reach both thresholds, the WHOLE exam must be retaken — not just the part you failed. You can attempt the A2 exam up to 3 times per calendar year.

How much does the A2 exam cost, and when are the sessions?

The fee is 3,200 Kč, which covers the complete exam (written and oral). Sessions run roughly monthly or several times a month, but we'd rather not hardcode exact dates here since they're published and updated by the individual authorized schools — check the official calendar for the exact dates near you.

Official source: A2 venues & contacts — cestina-pro-cizince.cz

Where can I take the A2 exam?

At any of the roughly 29 authorized schools coordinated by NPI ČR (Národní pedagogický institut ČR) across the Czech Republic. Not every school offers every session, so check the official contacts/venues page for the current list and to register.

Official source: A2 venues & contacts — cestina-pro-cizince.cz

What does the B1 language exam (for citizenship) consist of?

Four parts, worth 25 points each:

• Reading — 50 min, 25 points
• Listening — 30–35 min, 25 points
• Writing — 60 min, 25 points
• Speaking — 15–18 min, 25 points (18 task-based + 3 interaction + 4 phonology) — taken in pairs of candidates

Official source: ÚJOP UK — B1 exam

How long does the B1 exam and the reálie exam take?

The written part of the B1 exam takes about 140–145 minutes in total — reading 50 minutes, listening 30–35 minutes and writing 60 minutes. The oral part takes 15–18 minutes and is taken in pairs of candidates, so waiting for your partner counts towards your total time. The reálie (Czech civics) exam is separate, takes 30 minutes and is often held on a different date from the language part.

Official source: ÚJOP UK — B1 exam

Why is the B1 speaking test done in pairs?

Unlike the A2 speaking test (one candidate with the examiner), the B1 speaking test pairs two candidates together for part of the task — testing real interaction, not just answers to the examiner. It's worth practising with a partner, not only solo, before you sit it.

What's the B1 pass rule?

You need at least 60% overall AND at least 60% in each individual subtest — with one exception: in one of the written subtests, 50% is enough. The official wording is: „Pro hodnocení uspěl(a) je nutné dosáhnout celkem nejméně 60 %, a to i v jednotlivých částech zkoušky, přičemž v jedné z písemných částí zkoušky je možné získat pouze 50 %.“ The rule does not name which written subtest in advance — it says simply „one of the written parts“.

Official source: ÚJOP UK — B1 exam

What is the reálie (civics) exam, and do I need it?

Reálie is a separate 30-minute, 30-question multiple-choice exam about Czech civic life, institutions, geography, history and culture — one question is drawn per topic from a published bank covering 30 topics (roughly 16 on civics/institutions, 7 on geography, 7 on history and culture). You need at least 18 out of 30 (60%) to pass. It is required ONLY for the citizenship route — the A2 permanent-residency exam has no civics component at all.

Official source: reálie exam specification · task bank

How much does the B1 exam (and reálie) cost, when, and where?

We don't have a fully verified current fee, exact venue list, or retake-wait-period for the B1/reálie exams — ÚJOP UK administers them mainly in Prague plus a number of other university sites. Check the current fee, dates and locations directly on ÚJOP UK's official page before you plan around any specific number.

Official source: ÚJOP UK · cestina-pro-cizince.cz — citizenship

Who administers these exams?

The A2 exam network is coordinated by NPI ČR (Národní pedagogický institut ČR) across roughly 29 authorized schools. The B1 language exam and the reálie exam are both administered by ÚJOP UK — Ústav jazykové a odborné přípravy Univerzity Karlovy, Charles University's Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies — under the Citizenship Act.

How long does it take to get my results or certificate?

We don't have a verified, current timeframe for either exam. Check the official page for the exam you're sitting, or ask the school (A2) or ÚJOP UK (B1/reálie) directly when you register.

Official source: A2 · B1 / reálie

How do I prepare for the Czech A2/B1 exam?

Practise every part of the exam in its real format — reading, writing, listening and speaking (plus reálie, if you're on the citizenship route). On Čeština Exam you'll find free sample tests in the exam format plus writing and speaking exercises with AI evaluation.

Does passing the A2 exam count toward the B1 citizenship requirement?

No. A2 (for permanent residency, under Nařízení vlády č. 31/2016 Sb.) and B1 plus reálie (for citizenship, under zákon č. 186/2013 Sb. §14) are two separate legal requirements administered by different bodies (NPI ČR–coordinated schools vs. ÚJOP UK). Passing one does not automatically satisfy the other — if you plan to apply for citizenship after already passing A2 for residency, confirm with ÚJOP UK whether that earlier result has any bearing on your case, but expect to need the B1 and reálie exams regardless.

Is reálie required for the A2 exam too?

No. The reálie (civics) exam is only part of the citizenship route — a separate 30-minute, 30-question test administered by ÚJOP UK alongside the B1 language exam. The A2 permanent-residency exam has no civics component at all.

How many times can I retake the exam if I fail?

For A2: up to 3 attempts per calendar year, and failing means retaking the entire exam, not just the module you didn't pass. For B1 and reálie, we don't have a verified retake policy here — check the current rules directly with ÚJOP UK before you plan a resit.

What's the difference between the A2 and B1 speaking tests?

The A2 speaking test is one candidate working through 4 tasks with the examiner (Q&A, two role-plays, a picture-story narration, and a negotiation) plus phonetics. The B1 speaking test (for citizenship) is taken in PAIRS of candidates, testing real interaction between two people, not just answers to the examiner — worth practising with a partner before you sit it.