Education in Estonia: school stages, the state exams and university entry
A guide to the Estonian school system, the state exams, the gymnasium and admission to higher education.
In short
Education in Estonia is organised by the Ministry of Education and Research, and the Education and Youth Board (Harno) runs the national exams. Most schools are run by municipalities, and basic and upper secondary education in public schools is free. After nine years of basic school, students move on to upper secondary school (gümnaasium) or to vocational education. The state exams (riigieksamid) are the national final examinations of the gymnasium. They are set and graded centrally, so the results are comparable between schools, and universities use them when they select students.
School stages
- Pre-school (lasteaed): Children can attend a kindergarten from an early age until they start school. Pre-school education is not compulsory, but most children take part.
- Basic school (põhikool): Nine grades, usually from age 7 to 16. Pupils study Estonian, mathematics, foreign languages, natural sciences, history, social studies, arts and physical education. At the end of grade 9, pupils take basic school final exams in Estonian, mathematics and a subject of their choice.
- Upper secondary education: The gymnasium has three grades, 10 to 12, and prepares students for university. Vocational schools offer qualifications in trades and technical fields, and some programmes can also lead to higher education.
- Higher education: Universities offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and applied higher education institutions offer professional degrees.
Schools and languages
Estonian is the language of teaching in most schools, and Russian-language schools are moving towards more teaching in Estonian. Pupils learn at least two foreign languages, and English is the most common first foreign language. Students whose first language is not Estonian take the Estonian as a second language exam.
Graduating from the gymnasium
To receive the gymnasium certificate, students need to pass their courses and complete several final tasks. These include three state exams, a school exam, and a creative or research paper or a practical project. The three state exams are Estonian (or Estonian as a second language), mathematics and a foreign language.
The mathematics exam is offered at two levels, a wide level and a narrow level, and students choose according to their plans. The Estonian exam includes reading, language use and an essay, where students argue a point of view. Foreign language exams test listening, reading, writing and speaking. State exams are held once a year in spring, with a chance to retake the exam at a later time. The state exam certificate is issued separately from the gymnasium certificate, and it lists the result of each exam.
Schools give grades on a five-step scale in which 5 is the highest and 1 is a fail, and the results of the state exams are reported in points. Students can also take extra state exams in subjects such as history, physics, biology, chemistry or geography to improve their chances of admission.
Admission to higher education
Estonian universities admit students mostly through the joint admissions system SAIS. Many programmes use state exam results, and some also use their own entrance tests, interviews or portfolios. The subjects that count depend on the programme, so applicants should check the rules of each programme and each university. Large institutions include the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn University, the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the Estonian Academy of Arts and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.
Higher education taught in Estonian is largely free of tuition for full-time students who complete the required study load. Programmes taught in English, mostly at the master's level, may charge tuition. Students from other countries can apply with their own school-leaving certificates, and they need to show proof of language skills in English or Estonian, depending on the language of study.
Driving licence and theory examination
Driver training and licensing in Estonia are regulated under the Traffic Act (Liiklusseadus) and overseen by the Estonian Transport Administration (Transpordiamet). Candidates seeking a Category B driver license complete theory and practical courses at an accredited driving school, followed by state theory and driving exams administered by Transpordiamet. The computer-based theory examination tests knowledge of traffic regulations, right of way at intersections, traffic signs, road markings, seasonal driving safety such as winter tyre rules, and first aid at accident scenes.
Digital tools in education
Estonian schools use an electronic school information system for grades, homework and messages between teachers and parents. Digital skills are part of the curriculum, and many exams and learning materials are available online. This is part of a wider effort to make public services digital.
Practising on GetMyMockTest
These are practice questions we wrote for study. They are not the official exams, and we do not claim they match an exam's current format. Free practice for Estonia:
- State exams (riigieksamid): mathematics, Estonian language and literature, and history of Estonia, with timed tests and flashcards. There are also earlier practice questions in Estonian for wide mathematics.
- Driving theory (transpordiamet-driving): practice questions for the Estonian Category B driving theory exam administered by Transpordiamet, covering traffic rules, road signs and driving safety.
- Estonian general knowledge: history and politics, geography and nature, and science, arts and culture.