THE TORFL TEST

Test of Russian as a Foreign Language - Official Distributor for Africa

TORFL (Тест по русскому языку как иностранному) — Test Overview

The TORFL is an internationally recognized assessment of Russian language proficiency for non-native speakers, aligned with the highest European quality standards. It evaluates candidates’ ability to use Russian in everyday, academic, and professional contexts.

​

Levels

The TORFL includes six proficiency levels, corresponding directly to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):

• Elementary Level (TEL / A1):
  Demonstrates basic competence in Russian and the ability to meet simple communicative needs in everyday situations. Suitable for beginners starting their language journey.

• Basic Level (TBL / A2):
  Allows basic communication in daily and cultural contexts. This level is the minimum requirement for obtaining Russian citizenship.

• First Certification Level (TORFL-I / B1):
  Indicates intermediate proficiency for cultural, educational, and professional communication. Required for admission to Russian universities.

• Second Certification Level (TORFL-II / B2):
  Reflects high-level competence enabling study at Russian universities (except certain philology programs) and professional work in engineering, natural sciences, and similar fields.

• Third Certification Level (TORFL-III / C1):
  Demonstrates advanced proficiency, suitable for careers in linguistics, translation, journalism, international relations, and management.

• Fourth Certification Level (TORFL-IV / C2):
  Represents near-native fluency. Qualifies candidates for advanced professional roles in Russian philology and for a Master of Arts in Philology.

Test Content

The TORFL assesses proficiency across five core competencies:

• Writing: Ability to express ideas and intentions clearly using appropriate vocabulary and structures.

• Vocabulary & Grammar: Competence in the correct use of Russian words, forms, and grammatical constructions.

• Reading: Understanding a range of written texts, from everyday materials to academic content.

• Listening: Comprehension of spoken Russian in various contexts and levels of formality.

• Speaking: Ability to participate in dialogues and deliver structured monologues on assigned topics.

​​

Why Take TORFL?

The TORFL provides a reliable measure of a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in Russian across real-world scenarios—from everyday interactions to academic study and professional environments. It is widely used for education, employment, citizenship, and professional certification.