Learning Icelandic 6: The Exam

The University of Iceland has a bachelor’s program called Icelandic as a second language, from which an entrance exam is required. In case of not passing said exam, one can enroll in the Icelandic diploma program, that is also taught by that institution. I saw it as an opportunity in which I lost nothing by trying and could win a lot.

The diploma differs from the bachelor's degree, not only for the duration, but for the type of classes that are taught. In particular, I was more interested in the undergraduate classes, not only to deepen the grammar and use of the language, but also it includes courses on Icelandic literature, which, to tell the truth, is a personal goal to be able to read literature in this language. Once I registered, I tried to find out what the exam was about, without finding any answer on the internet. The only thing I knew is that the exam level is A2, and that the material is based on the icelandiconline.com level 1 and 2 courses. And so, without much knowledge, I went to take the exam. Honestly, I think that if I knew what that exam contained, I would have focused my studies on other parts of which I still struggle with. So I decided to write this text, trying to share with whoever is looking for information about the exam in the future, know that at least in 2020 the contents of the exam are not SO difficult, but they need to be studied to strengthen the rules.

The exam is on the computer, online, but is on location. They ask you to download a program that blocks the use of Google (and I imagine other functions) while you answer it. If I remember correctly, there are 16 sections, which vary by their length and by the type of exercise. It has a duration of 90 minutes, which as in a Saw movie is counting down on the screen. The first part is an audio, of which approximately 10 questions must be answered. The audio is not long, but you do have to be cautious because you can only listen to it twice. My recommendation (which is what they will tell you to do in any exam in any language) is that you read the questions before, so that you become familiar with what you are going to hear.

The following parts are grammar, multiple choice and exercises to write down your answer. This is the densest part of the exam, because it is not only about conjugating verbs, but also about declensions, using adjectives, nouns and other stuff. Among the themes that I remember are:

• The verb tenses to know are: present (nútið), past (þátíðar), future (að ætla) present participle (lýsingarháttur nútiðar).
• Imperative (boðháttur)
• You have to know how to use personal pronouns in their four declensions
• The declines of nouns by gender and number
• Possessive and reflexive pronouns with their variations.
• The rules of adjectives and their use
• The prepositions, emphasizing the difference between í and á
• Comparatives and superlatives and their declinations
• Words to ask questions and how to answer them
• Have an extensive vocabulary, especially in the use of adjectives

There are things about this section that I definitely didn’t remember, or that, despite knowing the rule, I didn’t know if they were exceptions. To mention, the declines of the names of countries, or the use of superlatives that were unknown to me. I suggest you study the rules and, as there is no other way, to memorise them. Most of the exercises are for daily sentences, so there is not so much use of fancy words. However, commonly used irregular verbs, such as to be (að vera) or to live (að búa), do come in the test, so be careful with that. There is a small part, with questions about the use of “daily” language, where they ask you phrases like “congratulations” or “good luck”.

By the end, there is a reading comprehension text of which you have to answer approximately 10 questions of multiple choice. It seems pertinent to me to point this out, since the text lends itself to the fact that if you don't know a word, you go by the feint, and you answer badly ... I know because it almost happened to me. My advice is that you read it calmly, because at this point, the following sections are solved quickly. One of the final exercises is to complete a text, with words that you have in a box (resource that they use a lot in icelandiconline). This last exercise is a combination of all the previous knowledge I mentioned.

In the end, I came out with the idea that I was going to fail. Not because I thought it was a difficult exam, but because I need more vocabulary and perhaps a bit of living on the island longer to soak up the language. To date, I cannot learn solely by osmosis, and therefore, my long hours of self taught Icelandic.