At this level candidates acquire a basic ability to communicate in a limited number of the most familiar and everyday situations in a Russian-speaking environment. The BASIC LEVEL also provides a linguistic minimum for professional purposes. The Test consists of five parts (subtests).
Reading
Candidates are expected to be able to read and extract the gist of main points of short simple authentic texts such as titles of newspapers and magazines, public notices, guides and signs, ads etc. Candidates are expected to read cultural and informative as well as general matter texts. The test consists of 3 sections. The total number of items is 30. Task type: multiple choice.
Writing
Candidates are expected to be able to reproduce in written form the gist of a cultural or general interest text guided by questions or to write a short letter, notice, greeting card, etc. The test consists of 2 sections, each of which includes 2 tasks.
Listening
Candidates are expected to be able to follow short oral dialogues(10-14 lines) and monologues on everyday topics and to extract specific information (topic, place, time, reason) without necessarily understanding every word. There are three tasks in the test. The total number of items is 30. Task type: multiple choice.
Speaking
Candidates are expected to be able to participate in simple conversations, to respond appropriately to questions of conversational nature based on a limited number of everyday situations, to start a conversation and express themselves in simple (standard) situations. Candidates are also expected to carry on a conversation about themselves and express their own opinion of the read text. The test consists of 4 sections, each of which includes 3 multiple choice tasks. Candidates are tested by two examiners (an Interlocutor and an Assessor).
Structural competence
Candidates must be able to demonstrate their knowledge of grammar and lexical systems and to express their communicative intentions in the limited range of situations. They should be able to operate the required minimum vocabulary. The test consists of 4 sections, the total number of multiple choice items being 110. Task types: multiple choice and matching.
Weighing of components
All components are of equal value – 20% each.
Results
There are three pass grades: A, B and C and certificates are awarded to all successful candidates. Candidates who achieve grade D are judged not to have achieved the required standard for the Basic Level.
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