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Lithuanian A1–A2 Language Exam (Basic–I): Parts and Scoring

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10 November 2026

Lithuanian A1–A2 Language Exam (Basic–I): Parts and Scoring

The Lithuanian A1–A2 language exam (Basic–I): its three parts, pass marks for reading, writing, listening and speaking, and how NŠA arrives at the final level.

Fluent is an unofficial learning service, not a state body. This article is a reference overview, not legal advice: NŠA and the Migration Department set the rules and dates, so check the official pages.

What this exam is

  • Basic–I is a series of Lithuanian language exams for foreigners in NŠA's schedule. A footnote to the schedule explains the levels: Basic is A1 and Category I is A2.
  • The exam has three parts: reading and writing, listening, and speaking.
  • In NŠA's schedule, reading with writing and listening run at 10:00 electronically, and speaking at 13:00 in the "traditional" format. "Traditional" means at the base school at a set time; "electronic" means at the base school, using ICT.
  • The Basic–I series runs on many dates through the year. See the full list in the official NŠA schedule.

Check the fee and the duration on the official NŠA page.

How the points work

These are the criteria NŠA publishes for the Basic–I (A1–A2) exam.

Reading and writing

  • A1 tasks: 1 to 4, 22 points in total. You need 13 points or more for A1.
  • A2 tasks: 5 to 9, 28 points in total. You need 17 points or more for A2.
  • A1 in this part is a prerequisite for A2.

Listening

  • A1 tasks: 1 and 2, 10 points in total. You need 6 points or more.
  • A2 tasks: 3 and 4, 10 points in total. You need 6 points or more.
  • A1 in this part is a prerequisite for A2.

Speaking

  • This part has three situations.
  • The assessing examiner gives 0 to 3 points for each situation. The interviewing examiner gives 0 to 1 point for the whole part. The maximum is 10 points.
  • For A1: at least 5 points in total and at least 2 points in two of the situations.
  • For A2: at least 6 points in total and "5 points in at least two situations". That is the wording of NŠA's English document; the Lithuanian text says «bent iš dviejų kalbėjimo situacijų gauna 5 taškus». If the wording looks unclear to you, read the NŠA document itself.
  • NŠA's page warns that 5 points do not guarantee A1 and 6 points do not guarantee A2. Its examples: 1+2+1+1 = 5, no level; 1+2+2+0 = 5, A1; 1+2+2+1 = 6, A1; 1+3+2+0 = 6, A2.

Final result

  • A2 in all three parts gives the result "A2 level".
  • A1 in at least one part gives "A1 level".
  • If any part is failed, the result is "Failed".

A note for permanent-residence applicants

The same NŠA document carries a note: people who take the state-language exam for a permanent-residence permit and reach only A1 are not issued a basic (A1) certificate.

The State Language exam for citizenship and permanent residence

NŠA's 2026 schedule lists a separate "State Language exam" for people seeking citizenship or permanent residence. The 2026 dates, under order VK-1246 of 18 December 2025 as amended by order VK-1040 of 21 September 2026:

  • 16 January, 24 March, 4 June, 20 August, 7 October, 11 November.
  • Reading with writing, and listening: 10:00, electronic. Speaking: 13:00, traditional.

The schedule does not say which language level this exam tests, so we do not name one. For the same reason we do not claim that the scoring above applies to it: NŠA publishes that scoring for the Basic–I exam. How to register for both exams is covered in How to Register for the Lithuanian Constitution and Language Exams.

How to prepare

  1. Find out which exam you need from NŠA or the Migration Department.
  2. Study the structure of the parts above and train each one separately: reading with writing, listening, speaking.
  3. For speaking, rehearse simple everyday situations aloud ahead of time.

You can train A1–A2 vocabulary in Fluent's practice section. If you are also preparing for the Constitution exam, see the Constitution programme.

Checked: 10 November 2026 against official sources.

Official sources:

Fluent is an unofficial learning service, not a state body. This article is a reference overview, not legal advice: NŠA and the Migration Department set the rules and dates, so check the official pages.

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