Czech exam day — what to bring, how it works, and what comes after
5 min read
On exam day you need one genuinely essential thing: a valid identity document — the same one you registered with. Without it, you won't be admitted to the exam. The rest of the day is mostly about knowing what's coming: the order of the individual parts, when the breaks are, and what is and isn't allowed in the exam room.
This article walks through exam day step by step — from arrival to results — for both levels: A2 (trvalý pobyt, permanent residency) and B1 (státní občanství, citizenship). If you haven't registered yet, start with How to register for the Czech language exam.
What to bring
- A valid identity document — a passport or a residence permit card. It must be the same document whose number you gave at registration; check in advance that it hasn't expired in the meantime.
- Your registration confirmation / invitation (email or printed) — you usually don't formally need it, but it saves an argument if they can't find you on the list.
- Something to write with — a blue or black pen (ideally two).
- Water and a small snack for the break.
What to leave at home or in your bag: dictionaries, textbooks, notes, and above all your mobile phone — during the exam it must be switched off and put away. Using a phone or copying means immediate disqualification from the exam.
Arrive with time to spare
Plan to arrive well before the start time — check-in happens before the exam: ID check, signature, being seated at your assigned place. Anyone arriving after the exam has started may no longer be admitted. Look up the route to the venue in advance — schools often have several buildings, and the exam may not be held at the main address.
How the day goes — A2 (permanent residency)
The written block of the A2 exam has three parts, usually with short breaks in between:
| Part | Length | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Reading (Čtení) | 40 minutes | 25 |
| Writing (Psaní) | 25 minutes | 20 |
| Listening (Poslech) | approx. 40 minutes | 25 |
| Speaking (Mluvení) | 15 minutes | 40 |
Speaking is done individually — candidates go in to the examiners one at a time according to a schedule, so you may wait quite a while for the oral part after the written block ends (exceptionally it can even be on a different day — follow your school's instructions).
Pass threshold: you need 60% of the pooled written block (at least 42 points out of 70) and, at the same time, 60% in speaking (at least 24 points out of 40). There's no separate threshold for each part — weaker reading can be offset by stronger listening. Details in How the Czech A2 and B1 exams work.
How the day goes — B1 (citizenship)
The B1 exam is taken at ÚJOP UK and is longer:
| Part | Length | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Reading (Čtení) | 50 minutes | 25 |
| Listening (Poslech) | 30–35 minutes | 25 |
| Writing (Psaní) | 60 minutes | 25 |
| Speaking (Mluvení) | 15–18 minutes | 25 |
The oral part is taken in pairs of candidates, and the threshold is 60% overall as well as in the individual parts (one written part may work under a slightly different mechanism — verify on the ÚJOP UK website). If you're applying for citizenship, remember that the civics exam (reálie) is a separate exam date — 30 questions in 30 minutes, pass from 18 points.
During the exam
- You read and complete the tasks on your own, at your own pace — only the listening part is driven by the recording.
- Write your answers where they belong (the answer sheet) — leave yourself a minute's buffer for this at the end of each part.
- Don't understand an instruction? Ask the invigilator right away — they'll answer an organizational question, though of course they won't help with the language.
- Watch the clock on the big tasks: in A2 writing, an email shorter than 35 words = 0 points — count your words (sample emails here).
Results and the osvědčení
You won't learn your results on exam day — the school publishes them only after all parts have been marked, and the timeline varies by institution and exam date (typically a matter of weeks). The school will tell you on exam day exactly how results are announced (online by registration number, by email). Successful candidates receive an osvědčení (certificate), which you attach to your application for permanent residency or citizenship.
If it doesn't work out — retaking
- A2: you may take the exam at most three times per calendar year, and if you fail, you retake the whole exam (you can't "carry over" just one part). The first state-funded attempt follows special rules — verify the current conditions on the official page.
- B1: if you fail, you register for the exam again; details and deadlines are with ÚJOP UK.
- Failing isn't the end — go through the most common mistakes and how to pass first time, and before your next attempt do a full practice exam as a dry run, including writing practice with AI feedback.
Last verified: 2026-07-28.
The schedule, the rules in the room, and how results are announced can differ between schools and exam dates. Before the exam, always check the current instructions at cestina-pro-cizince.cz (A2) and ÚJOP UK (B1), and in your school's instructions. This text is not legal advice.