Polish language certification exam

Do you already have a plan to take the Polish as a Foreign Language certification exam in Krakow? Great!

Remember that registration for the exams is carried out exclusively through accredited examination centers – and this is where we come in! Varia Polish Language Center is an official center with full authorization to organize these exams in Kraków. We are a trusted and reputable institution, and we warmly invite you to register with us!

• 14–15 February (Saturday–Sunday) – the nearest winter session, B1 level for adults
• 25–26 April (Saturday–Sunday) – B1 level for adults
• 27–28 June (Saturday–Sunday) – B1 and B2 levels for adults
• 17–18 October (Saturday–Sunday) – B1 level for adults

📝 Registration for the B1 state exam in Krakow – sign up here: https://forms.gle/t2QHkQn1mH6RxCqM7

Exam fee: 150 EUR

📝 Registration for the B1 state exam in Krakow with a preparatory course (with a guaranteed exam spot): https://kurspolskiego.pl/zgloszenie/

Special offer for the package (course + exam fee): 1400 PLN.

We want the entire registration process to be quick and stress-free for you! Here’s how it works at Varia.

• Check the dates and level

First, make sure that the chosen exam session is at the level you are interested in (e.g., B1 for adults). You can find the full schedule in the section above.

• Act FAST!

Places for the state exams disappear extremely fast — sometimes within minutes of the official registration opening! The official registration for the upcoming exam (February 14–15, 2026) starts on December 15, 2025. Completing the preliminary reservation form below gives you priority in the registration process.

Note: At the moment, due to high demand for the exam, the list of people who registered through our preliminary registration form is full.

• Register for the course? You have Priority!

If you decide to prepare for the exam with us, we have great news for you: registering for the preparatory course and the B1 exam together guarantees you a spot on the exam.. Our qualified instructors know the exam inside out. They will provide you with comprehensive support and structured preparation, so you’ll feel confident on test day. The total cost of the course and the exam with a guaranteed spot is 1400 PLN. You can find more information about the B1 exam course here. If you are unable to attend the in-person course, don’t worry – we also offer the exam course online!

• Choose and fill out ONE form

Depending on your plan, choose the appropriate application form:

Sign up and early registration for the B1 exam in Krakow: https://forms.gle/t2QHkQn1mH6RxCqM7

📝Register for the B1 certification exam in Kraków with a preparatory course (guaranteed exam spot): https://kurspolskiego.pl/zgloszenie/

• Receive Confirmation

After filling out the form, you will receive a preliminary confirmation of your exam seat reservation from us. We will also provide you with all further organizational details. The official confirmation of your participation in the exam will be sent to you by email no earlier than two months before the start date of the session.

Exam Fee Refund: Rules

We understand that plans can sometimes change. However, please keep in mind our rules regarding cancellations and the refund of the exam fee:

• Cancellation up to 40 days before the exam: If you submit your cancellation within this period, Varia Center will refund 50% of the amount paid.
• Cancellation less than 40 days before the exam: If you submit your cancellation less than 40 days before the exam start date, Varia Center will not refund the fee paid.

Need help?

If you have any questions or need assistance with registration, remember – we are here for you! Our team will be happy to help.

📧 Have questions? Write to us! info@kurspolskiego.pl

Let’s start with the most important thing: Passing the Polish language certification exam is an important step, and it’s great that you’re looking for a place where you will feel confident and simply comfortable. You’ve come to the right place!

We are an official examination center authorized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. But most importantly – our team is not only made up of excellent teachers and experienced examiners. Above all, they are people with passion and a true heart for teaching, with extensive experience working with people from all over the world.

At Varia, the exam takes place in a 100% professional, yet VERY friendly and supportive atmosphere. Here, you’ll forget about unnecessary stress and focus on showcasing your skills. You can find confirmation of our words online! Check our reviews on Google and read about how the exam went from the perspective of former participants.

Full support before you take the exam!

We understand that the formalities and the exam day itself can be stressful. That’s why we are with you at EVERY step:

• Throughout the entire exam registration process, we will support you, answer all your questions, and clear up any doubts. We want you to feel confident even before the exam begins.
• Free Preparatory Webinar: We also organize a free online webinar before the exam specifically for our candidates. Calmly and step by step, we will go through the entire exam process and answer all your questions.

Experience and quality you can trust:

Proven effectiveness: We have over 20 years of experience teaching Polish as a foreign language, and you can find hundreds of positive reviews about our school online. Students appreciate us for our effectiveness, friendly atmosphere at our school, and our individual approach to every participant.

• Prestigious Awards: We are a licensed TELC examination center and recipients of the “Orły Edukacji” (Education Eagles) and “Firma Godna Zaufania” (Trustworthy Company) awards. It all comes down to two things: quality and the confidence that you’re in good hands.

The exam is open to all adults who want to officially confirm their knowledge of Polish as a foreign language. Both foreigners and people of Polish descent living in Poland or abroad can participate. It does not matter whether you have been studying the language for years or have just started – what matters is that you feel ready to test your skills. Completing any specific course is also not required – anyone over 18 who wishes to obtain an official state certificate of Polish language proficiency can take the certification exam.

The state exam in Polish as a foreign language can be taken by anyone – regardless of place of residence, nationality, or reason for learning. It is an official confirmation of language proficiency, recognized in Poland and abroad. People in various life situations take this exam:

• For citizenship – if you are applying for Polish citizenship, you need a certificate at at least B1 level. This is the level most adult candidates choose.
• For studies and career – universities and employers in Poland increasingly require language skills at a minimum level of B2. A certificate is a clear signal that you can handle studying, formalities and everyday communication at work.
• For yourself – are you learning Polish out of passion, want to better understand your family, or simply care about your language development? A certificate is a way to assess your real progress, gain motivation, and confirm your achievements.

Before you decide to take the exam, it is worth considering what level you actually are. This is not always easy – many people do not know whether their skills meet the requirements of a specific certificate level.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR) can help, as it describes what you should be able to do at each stage, from beginner to advanced. It is against these criteria that language proficiency is assessed in the exam.

If you are not sure which level to choose, contact us. We will help you initially assess your language skills and advise you on which exam is best to take.

The Polish as a foreign language certification exam consists of several parts and is designed to reliably assess how well you use the language in everyday situations – both orally and in writing.

Each exam consists of five main sections:

• Listening – tests how well you understand oral statements (e.g. conversations, announcements, broadcasts).
• Reading – what counts here is understanding articles, announcements, instructions, and short utility texts.
• Grammar and vocabulary – knowledge of language structures and a range of vocabulary appropriate to the level are tested.
• Writing – involves creating short written forms such as emails, letters, notes, or argumentative statements.
• Speaking – the oral part of the exam during which you talk to the examiner and/or answer questions.

B1 level

The B1 level exam is intended mainly for people applying for Polish citizenship. It tests the ability to communicate in typical, everyday situations. The texts and recordings are quite simple, and full linguistic correctness is not required in written and oral statements – it is important that the message is understandable.

B2 level

This level is required, for example, for studies in Poland. Texts are longer and more varied, and written statements should be more structured and grammatically correct. The ability to argue and express opinions is also assessed.

C1 level

The advanced level exam tests the ability to use the language fluently in academic and professional situations. Very good language skills are required – both in terms of rich vocabulary and grammatical correctness. The oral and written parts also assess the ability to conduct a coherent, logical statement.

The state exam in Polish might sound formal and official, but it is conducted in a relaxed and friendly environment that helps you stay focused and complete the tasks comfortably. Everything is carefully organized and clearly explained, and on the day of the exam, you will have an exam committee, your individual exam sheet, and clear instructions. This ensures that everyone can take the exam without stress and concentrate fully on showcasing their language abilities.

The written part of the exam lasts from 190 to 250 minutes (depending on the level) and includes the following modules: – listening comprehension, – reading comprehension, – grammatical correctness, – writing.

⏱ Exam duration: – B1 – up to 190 minutes – B2/C1 – up to 250 minutes

Each candidate has a designated seat and an individual exam sheet. The chairperson of the committee explains in detail how to fill in the sheet, how long each module lasts and when the next part starts.

During the exam, there are clear rules: – you are not allowed to talk to other participants, – you are not allowed to ask questions about the content of the tasks, – the committee cannot comment on or explain the tasks.

If you need to leave (e.g. to go to the toilet), you may only do so with the permission of the committee chairperson, and the conditions will be organised so that you do not have contact with other people.

If you finish earlier, you can calmly hand over your work to the committee and leave the room.

The exam is conducted in a quiet, orderly atmosphere. Everyone – both the candidate and the examination committee – are focused on one thing only: they want to give you the best conditions to pass the Polish language exam.

The oral part of the Polish language certification exam usually takes place on the same day as the written part or the day after. This is the moment when you can show how you can speak Polish – it is about freely formulating statements and communicating in various situations. You do not have to know the ready-made answers – it is important to speak clearly, logically and in your own way. The topics are real-life: everyday situations, your experiences, opinions, ideas for the future.

The duration of the oral part varies depending on the level of advancement and the group of candidates:

• at B1 and B2 levels – up to 15 minutes,
• at C1 level – up to 20 minutes,
• at C2 level – up to 30 minutes.

Sample topics for the oral part:

Below you will find sample topics that often appear in the exam at various levels.

Level B1–B2:

• Description of favorite places in Poland or abroad
• Talking about your plans for the future
• Discussion on a healthy lifestyle
• Description of a cultural event you attended
• Statement on environmental issues
• Description of your work or study day
• Conversation about traditions and holidays in Poland

During the Polish language certificate exam, each part – written and oral – is carefully assessed by the examination committee. The committee awards points for tasks from individual modules of the written part and enters them into the examination paper. In the oral part, the committee prepares an assessment card, where it states the number of points obtained and the justification for the assessment. The result from each module of the written part and the oral part is expressed as a percentage – as the ratio of points obtained to the possible points.

At level B1, the pass requirement is to obtain at least 50% of the points in each module of the written part and in the oral part. For higher levels – B2, C1 and C2 – a minimum of 60% of the points in each module and in the oral part is required. Such rules ensure that each candidate has clear and transparent assessment criteria and an equal chance of a positive result.

1. Assessment of exam papers: After the exam is completed, the papers are assessed by the examination committee at the place where the exam was conducted. The assessed exam sets are then forwarded to the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language (PKdsPZJPjO).
2. Audit of papers: PKdsPZJPjO orders an examination of the correctness of the assessment of examination papers, made by members of the examination committee in a given center (at least 20% of papers from each center). The results of the examination of the correctness of the assessment of examination papers are then forwarded to the centers
3. Determination of final results: The chairman of the examination committee determines the final results of the examination, taking into account the comments resulting from the audit. Information about the results is provided to the candidates by the examination center within 3 days of receiving the protocol with the final results from the chairman of the examination committee.
4. Issuance of certificate: After receiving the examination report and payment of the certificate fees by the examination center, PKdsPZJPjO issues certificates within 30 days.

So exactly how long does one have to wait for the result?

The entire process — from taking the exam to receiving the certificate — can take from 4.5 to 5 months. It is worth keeping this in mind when planning the dates on which you will need the certificate, for example when applying for citizenship or admission to university.

If you have any additional questions or need help preparing for the exam, please contact us. We’d be happy to help! 😊

Good preparation for the Polish language certification exam makes a difference, especially when it comes to level B1 – most often chosen by people applying for, among other things, Polish citizenship. The exam consists of several parts, so it is worth getting to know its structure and typical tasks in advance.

At Varia Centrum Języka Polskiego, we run specialist preparatory courses that will help you master all the required skills step by step – reading, writing, listening and speaking. The courses are run by experienced teachers who are also examiners – so they know exactly how to prepare you. With practical exercises, a mock exam and individual tips, you will approach the test with greater peace and confidence.

You can find more information about the B1 exam preparatory course here.

Looking for a simpler way to get an official Polish language certificate?

Telc (The European Language Certificates) is an international language exam, often chosen as an alternative to the certification exam. It certifies language proficiency at the B1 or B2 level and is recognized by many universities, employers, and institutions. The telc exam is shorter, often easier, and less expensive than the state exam – and the certificate you receive can be proudly included on your CV, at university, or in official documents.

We offer both Telc exams and preparation courses for the exam.

For more information, click here.

📑 Early registration for the B1 Certificate Exam – https://forms.gle/t2QHkQn1mH6RxCqM7