TORFL, the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language, is Russia's state exam for learners of Russian. In Russian it's called ТРКИ. Universities with official testing centers, such as the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute in Moscow and Saint Petersburg State University, run it. A TORFL certificate at the first level, B1, is what Russian universities ask for to start a bachelor's degree.
Bubblegum is a language app with a Cyrillic reading course, plus Russian lessons at your level. Poppy, your AI tutor, writes those lessons about things you like, and one of them is further down.
What Are the TORFL Levels?
TORFL has six levels, and each one matches a CEFR level. The two lowest have their own names, and the four higher ones are numbered from ТРКИ-I to ТРКИ-IV.
- A1
Elementary (ТЭУ)
- Certificate lasts 5 years
- A2
Basic (ТБУ)
- No expiry
- B1
First level (ТРКИ-I)
- For a bachelor's degree in Russia
- No expiry
- B2
Second level (ТРКИ-II)
- For a master's degree in Russia
- No expiry
- C1
Third level (ТРКИ-III)
- No expiry
- C2
Fourth level (ТРКИ-IV)
- No expiry
What Is on the Test?
Every level has the same five subtests, and each one is timed separately.
| Level | Vocabulary and grammar | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 50 min | 50 min | 40 min | 30 min | 30 min |
| A2 | 50 min | 50 min | 60 min | 30 min | 25 min |
| B1 | 60 min | 50 min | 60 min | 35 min | 60 min |
| B2 | 90 min | 60 min | 55 min | 35 min | 45 min |
| C1 | 90 min | 60 min | 75 min | 35 min | 45 min |
| C2 | 60 min | 60 min | 80 min | 45 min | 50 min |
To pass, you need at least 66 percent in each subtest. One subtest can be as low as 60 percent if the other four reach 66 percent. At the Pushkin Institute, if you miss one subtest, you can retake just that one within two years for half the fee.
Where and How Do You Take TORFL?
You book with a university testing center, and each center sets its own dates and fees. Saint Petersburg State University runs the exam in person over two days, or online in one day. Ask the school or office you're applying to whether it accepts an online result.
How to Prepare with Comprehensible Input
TORFL has a whole subtest on vocabulary and grammar, and Russian words change their endings depending on their job in the sentence. You can build that skill, along with reading and listening, by taking in lots of comprehensible input in Russian.
- Plan Two DaysAt Saint Petersburg State University, the in-person exam runs over two days, so keep both days free.
- Watch the EndingsAs you read Russian you can follow, notice how nouns change their endings. Seeing endings in real sentences helps with the vocabulary and grammar subtest.
- Do a Typical TestThe Pushkin Institute and Saint Petersburg State University both share typical tests for every level. Try all five subtests before you book.
This lesson is about ordering coffee and chatting at a Russian café. Read it at Level 2, then look for the noun endings from the tip above.
A Russian Café at Six Levels
From Bubblegum’s guide Ordering Coffee and Interacting at a Russian Cafe. It works here the way it works inside Bubblegum.
I can handle simple exchanges.
Meeting at a cafe
The friends met at a café yesterday.
I arrived early in the morning.
And I didn't buy coffee.
We drank tea together.
It was very cozy.
Frequently Asked Questions About TORFL
Can I use a TORFL A2 certificate for Russian citizenship?
Not anymore. Since October 26, 2023, Russian law no longer accepts the A2 (Basic) certificate for citizenship. Ask the migration office which exam it accepts now.
Do I need to read Cyrillic before I start?
Yes. Every TORFL subtest is written in Cyrillic, starting at A1, so learn the alphabet first.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. The lesson library is free for everyone, because we believe everyone should be able to learn. It holds lessons that other learners asked Poppy for. A new custom lesson costs us real money to make, so your first one is free, and Bubblegum Pro gives you unlimited custom lessons.
Sources
- Pushkin State Russian Language Institute: regulation on running ТРКИ (order 166, 27 May 2025; levels, subtests, minutes, pass marks)
- Pushkin State Russian Language Institute: ТРКИ (levels for university study, retakes)
- Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, Order No. 412 of 25 April 2014 (certificate validity), in Rossiyskaya Gazeta
- Saint Petersburg State University Testing Centre: ТРКИ (formats, university entry, retakes)
- Pushkin State Russian Language Institute: typical ТРКИ tests
