Sproochentest exam day: what to expect from arrival to results

On the day of the Sproochentest you arrive at least 15 minutes early with your convocation and an original identity document, take the listening test on a tablet and the speaking test in front of two examiners. INLL's own documents describe each step, so you can walk in knowing the sequence.

Before you leave home

• Your convocation. INLL sends it at least 15 days before the first test with the dates, times and places (regulation of 22 July 2019, article 3).
• A valid original identity document. MyINL lists a national identity card, a passport, a residence permit or a travel document, and accepts only originals. Copies and photographs are not recognised.
• The right address. INLL runs the Sproochentest at Luxembourg Glacis (21, boulevard de la Foire, Luxembourg) and at Belval. Your convocation names your place.
• Your time window. MyINL shows each session with its window, for example 09:00 to 16:00, 12:00 to 16:00, 14:00 to 16:00 or 10:00 to 12:00. INLL's page lists 35 minutes for the tablet session, with a 25 minute listening test set by the regulation and a 10 minute speaking test.
• A warm-up. Say your introduction aloud once: your name, where you come from, where you live, your family and your work.
• Three recovery lines for the speaking test. Loosst mech kuerz iwwerleeën (Let me think for a moment), Kéint Dir d’Fro w.e.g. widderhuelen? (Could you repeat the question, please?) and Ech probéieren et anescht ze soen (Let me try to say it differently).

At the exam room

Article 7 of the regulation asks candidates to present themselves in front of the exam room at least 15 minutes before the planned start, with the convocation and the passport or, failing that, the identity card or travel document. Only convened candidates, members of the examination commission and invigilators enter the room.

Before the test begins, the person in charge explains three things (article 8):

1. You communicate only with the person in charge, the invigilators and the examiners.
2. Everything you do not need for the test goes to the place they indicate.
3. The documents handed out at the start go back to the invigilators at the end.

The listening test on the tablet

INLL's tablet instructions describe the sequence:

1. Check your personal data on your sheet, correct it if something is wrong and sign.
2. Log in: type your candidate number and password, then start the test.
3. Read and listen to the instructions. Once the test starts it runs through.
4. Answer Exercise 1. Exercises 2 and 3 follow automatically, and you cannot go back.
5. Your answers are saved automatically at the end.

On screen you see a countdown with the time left in the exercise, you scroll down to see all the questions, and the page has buttons to raise or lower the volume. Every candidate has a different test, so people finish at different times: stay seated until everyone is done.

The content follows the regulation (article 6): three recordings, each played twice, with 25 minutes for the whole test. The recordings are a news bulletin or news extract, a conversation or dialogue, and a recording with information on a given subject. You answer a questionnaire with binary or multiple-choice questions and tick one answer per question. INLL's published 2023 sample test has three exercises and 16 questions in total.

The speaking test

The speaking test lasts 10 minutes, as two parts of 5, and takes place in front of two examiners (regulation, article 5):

The first examiner, the interlocutor, leads the conversation and gives a global mark. The second, the observer, marks with a scale. INLL describes the A2 target this way: you can introduce yourself and speak in simple terms about family, other people, living conditions, education and occupation, and you can describe and compare people, things and activities in simple terms.

If something unexpected happens

If a power cut, a Wi-Fi failure or another incident interrupts the tests, candidates stay seated and quiet while INLL follows its procedure. When a test must be interrupted, the director of INLL sets a new date for the following working day and invites the candidates who took part (article 9).

After the test

The secretary of the examination commission convenes the commission within 30 days of the last test of a session, and the commission deliberates on each candidate (article 11). A passing candidate receives the certificate by registered letter (article 12). On written request to the commissioner you can consult the recording of your speaking test and the questionnaire from your listening test, with explanations (article 11). The certificate is valid for an unlimited period, according to the INLL FAQ.

Rehearse the day

INLL publishes sample interviews, sample photos, the assessment grid, the listening instructions, a listening audio file, an answer sheet and an answer key on its Sproochentest page. Use them, and add daily practice on the same task types with MoienLab:

• The free level test shows your level in under 8 minutes with 12 questions across A1, A2 and B1.
• B1 listening set 1 is free, with audio, transcript reveal, questions and answers.
• Full Access adds A2 oral practice on eight topics, photo description with 13 exam-style photos, three more B1 listening sets and a timed mock exam that includes the listening and oral tasks.

Full Access costs 59 € for 12 months with one payment and no subscription. See Full Access and walk into your Sproochentest having already done the day once.