Score High on YKI Writing: Perfecting Your Finnish Emails and Essays

The YKI writing test (kirjoittaminen) requires you to write three different texts in 55 minutes. This section shows the examiners that you can communicate clearly in written Finnish. Here is how to make sure your writing is ready for the exam.

1. Know the Three Writing Tasks

You will usually have to write three types of texts:

• An informal message: Like a text message or email to a friend (e.g., inviting them to a party or apologizing for being late).
• A formal message: Like an email to a company, a teacher, or a landlord (e.g., complaining about a broken window or asking for a job).
• An opinion piece (mielipidekirjoitus): You will read a short prompt and have to write your opinion about it (e.g., "Should cars be banned in the city center?").

2. Learn Formal and Informal Greetings

It is very important to use the right tone. If you are writing to a friend, you can start with "Hei Matti!" and end with "Terveisin, Anna". But if you are writing a formal complaint to a company, you should start with something like "Hyvä asiakaspalvelu" and end with "Ystävällisin terveisin".

3. Keep Your Sentences Simple

Many students make mistakes because they try to translate complicated English or Arabic sentences directly into Finnish. Do not do this! Think of what you want to say, and then write it using simple, clear Finnish sentences. Short and correct is much better than long and confusing.

4. Answer Every Part of the Question

The prompt will give you specific points to include. For example, "Tell your friend why you are moving, where the new apartment is, and invite them to help you pack." Make sure you write about all three things. If you forget one, you will lose points.

5. Leave Time to Check Your Work

Save 5 minutes at the end to read your texts again. Check for basic mistakes. Did you use capital letters and points? Did you remember to use the partitive case after a number?

Practicing writing at home is the best way to get faster. Try writing one short Finnish text every day, and use the practice prompts available on YKI Test Prep to guide you.