Latvian state language exam A2

Reading · max 25 points

Signs, announcements, short letters and forms. You answer questions about them.

Listening · max 25 points

Short recordings: announcements, phone messages, simple dialogues.

Writing · max 25 points

A short text of your own — a note, an application, a message. Spelling counts, including diacritics.

Speaking · max 25 points

An interview of about ten questions: yourself, work, daily life, plans.

What is the Latvian state language exam?

Its official name is valsts valodas prasmes pārbaude (VVPP). It certifies your Latvian at a given level — A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2 — and is run by the National Centre for Education (VISC). You need it for a residence permit, for many jobs, and for naturalisation.

What does the A2 exam consist of?

Four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking (an interview of roughly ten questions). Each part is worth a maximum of 25 points. To pass you need at least 60% — 15 of 25 — in EVERY part. Falling short in a single part means the whole exam is not passed, however well the others went.

How much does it cost?

The state fee is €52 (Noteikumi Nr. 157). Latvian citizens and non-citizens, citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland, and people with low-income status are exempt. People with Ukrainian civilian status under the Ukrainian Civilian Support Law are exempt as well (clause 61.2) — for them the exam is free, including retakes. The fee must be paid no later than seven working days before the exam date.

Who does not need to take the exam at all?

People who completed basic, secondary or higher education in an accredited programme taught IN LATVIAN are not required to take VVPP. It is proven with a diploma, a school certificate or a statement from the institution.

Where is the exam held?

In five cities: Rīga, Daugavpils, Liepāja, Rēzekne and Ventspils. Each city has its own schedule, and you choose the city when you register — it is not tied to your declared address. Addresses and dates change between sessions, so check the official schedule before applying.

How many times can I retake it?

The rules set no limit on attempts. There is also no general waiting period — the six-month wait applies only if a previous attempt was annulled for breaking the exam rules (clause 34). Each attempt is a new registration and, unless you are exempt, a new €52 fee; the fee is not refunded if you fail or do not show up.

Is it normal to fail the first time?

Yes. Of the 11,301 people who registered in the 2023 wave, 6,893 — 61% — did not pass on their first attempt. Passing on the second or third try is the common path, not the exception.

How long does preparation take?

That depends on your starting point, and nobody can give you an honest number without knowing it. What is measurable is which of the four parts is holding you back — and since one weak part fails the whole exam, that is where preparation should start.