What is NORSKPRØVE? 🇬🇧 Everything you need to know about it! [updated guide 2023-2024]

In the guide below you will find the very most important and up-to-date information about Norskprøve. Read on if you are interested in the topic of the Norwegian language exam!

This article is also available in Polish 🇵🇱 and Norwegian 🇳🇴.

Interactive table of contents:

• What is Norskprøve?
• Why do I need Norskprøve?
• Levels of Norskprøve
• What does Norskprøve look like?
• How do I sign up for Norskprøve?
• Where and when is Norskprøve?
• How much does Norskprøve cost?

What is Norskprøve?

Norskprøve is the official Norwegian language exam. It is designed to assess the language skills of people for whom Norwegian is a foreign language.

The exam can also be taken in sign language.

Norskprøve is held four times a year (exclusively in Norway) and is aimed at candidates aged 18-67.

Why do I need Norskprøve?

The certificate of passing the exam (prøvebevis) is an official document recognised by the Norwegian authorities and can be useful to immigrants in many aspects of life:

• makes it easier to get a job and is required by many Norwegian employers (for non-Scandinavians and in jobs that require contact with people),
• is the gateway to most university courses if one wishes to pursue study in Norway,
• is necessary when applying for permanent residence (permanent oppholdstillatelse) or for citizenship (statsborgerskap).

Levels of Norskprøve

The exam is divided into four levels:

• A1-A2,
• A2-B1,
• B1-B2
• and C1.

In this text, I focus on A and B levels.

For example, you need B1 level for citizenship and B2 for studying. You can often get a job from A2-B1.

What does Norskprøve look like?

The exam consists of four parts that test four different competences:

1. listening (lytteprøve)
2. reading (leseprøve)
3. writing (skriveprøve)
4. speaking (muntlig prøve)

Listening, reading, writing

The first three sub-parts take place on the same day and you pass them on the computer. Often you have them in that order, but not necessarily (on my A2-B1 in Sandvika we started with writing, then moved on to reading and finally there was listening).

In the first two sub-parts - listening and reading - all passers start at the same level. How far they get is up to them; the computer keeps asking questions as long as the candidate gets the required number of correct answers.

So, in theory, you could sign up for the written A1-A2, and come out with listening and reading at the maximum B2 level.

Listening takes 25-30 minutes, reading takes 75 minutes.

Writing

In writing, you have a certain level and you cannot get a higher one.

Furthermore, writing is the only part of the exam that you can appeal about if you have doubts about your result. The grade will then either be changed (increased or decreased) or stay the same.

The writing lasts a max. 90 minutes at A1-A2 and A2-B1 level and a max. 120 minutes at B2 level.

The computer-based part therefore takes a total of approximately 4 hours.

Speaking

The final part, the conversation, takes place on a separate day and the exam is taken in pairs, with a randomly assigned partner. There are three tasks in the oral Norskprøve: two individual (speaking alone) and one with a partner (dialogue).

The oral exam can last between 15 and 25 minutes.

It is possible to receive an additional question, also one at a higher level (max. up to B2).

How do I sign up for Norskprøve?

You can register for Norskprøve on the Kompetanse Norge website, only when registration is open - i.e. for 5 working days once every 3 months (see below for dates).

The written exam can be taken at a different level to the oral exam (and vice versa).

Where and when is Norskprøve?

The exam takes place throughout Norway, but only in Norway. It cannot be taken at, for example, a Norwegian embassy. If you live abroad and wish to take Norskprøve, you must come to Norway.

Below are the dates for forthcoming editions of the examination.

Norskprøve autumn 2023

Registration: 21-25 August
Exams: 25-29 September
Results: from 24 October
Complaints: until 21 November

Norskprøve winter 2023

Registration: 30 October - 3 November
Exams: 4-8 December
Results: from 9 January 2024
Complaints: until 6 February 2024

Norskprøve spring 2024

Registration: 29 January - 2 February
Exams: 11-15 March
Results: from 10 April
Complaints: until 8 May

Norskprøve summer 2024

Registration: 15-19 April
Exams: 21-31 May
Results: from 20 June
Complaints: until 18 July

How much does Norskprøve cost?

There is a fee to take the exam and each kommune sets its own prices.

There are two fees: one for the oral part of Norskprøve and one for the computer part. Reportedly, this can vary between 900 and 2200 kroner (for one). For example, I paid 1100 kroner for one part in Sandvika and 1400 kroner in Asker.

As for the exam taken in the computer room: when you register, you choose whether you want to take all three sub-parts (listening, reading, writing), or just two or one of them. In some kommuner, the price is always the same, while in others it is reduced if you choose fewer sub-parts.

You pay for each approach. The more often you take the test, the more it costs you.

Some immigrants are entitled to a free first approach to Norskprøve. However, this does not apply, for example, to citizens of the European Union.

Other questions?

Check other articles in the Norskprøve series.

Or contact me.

Lykke til! 🤞

Urszula Lupinska
Author of Polsk norsk

This article is also available in other languages:

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