The Norwegian language test (Norskprøven): how it works and how to prepare
Norskprøven is the official Norwegian test for adult immigrants in Norway. It is run by HK-dir (the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills) and held at local test centres several times a year. It has four parts — reading, listening, writing and speaking — and each part gets its own result on the A1, A2, B1 or B2 scale.
The four parts
Reading and listening are taken on a computer and adapt as you go: answer correctly and the tasks get harder, and the result is placed on the scale from A1 to B2. Writing and speaking are assessed by examiners. There you choose which level band you sit, and the tasks are written for that band.
The parts are independent. You can take one, two or all four, and you can retake a single part later without repeating the others. Many people only need a specific level in one skill, for example speaking.
What the result is used for
The result documents your Norwegian skills to employers, educational institutions and the authorities. Level requirements for permanent residence and citizenship are set by UDI and have changed several times — when this page was written, the requirement was documented oral level A2 for permanent residence and B1 for citizenship. Always check udi.no for the rules that apply to you.
How to prepare
What helps most is practising exactly the task types you will meet, at the level you are sitting, and getting feedback on what you produce. Reading and listening you can train alone with tasks that have an answer key. Writing and speaking need someone — a teacher or a tool — to say what is good and what pulls the result down.
In NorskMentor the four skills are built around the test's task types: reading tasks with questions, listening tasks in several formats, writing tasks with the test's word limits, and spoken answers assessed on pronunciation, fluency and content. The exam-practice module is a timed reading test with dictionary and translation locked until you hand in — as on test day.
Decide which parts and which level you actually need before you start practising.
Practise writing and speaking with feedback, not only the reading and listening that are easier to test alone.
Take at least one timed practice test without aids, so the clock is not a surprise.
Frequently asked questions
How often can I take Norskprøven?
The test is held in several test periods every year. Dates and registration are handled by your test centre, often through the municipality. You can retake one part without retaking the others.
Is NorskMentor the same as Norskprøven?
No. NorskMentor is a tool for practising. The test is taken at an official test centre, and NorskMentor is not affiliated with the organiser.
Do I have to take all four parts?
No. The parts are independent. Many people take only the part or parts they need documentation for.
How to practise this in NorskMentor
Exam practice
Level B1–B2
A timed reading test, with the same restrictions as the real one.
Reading
Level A1–B2
Read Norwegian texts at your level and answer tasks like the ones on the Norwegian language test.
Listening
Level A1–B2
Listen to Norwegian in everyday situations and answer tasks in several formats.
Writing
Level A1–B2
Write the task types from the test and get feedback on level, structure, grammar and vocabulary.
Speaking
Level A1–B2
Speak Norwegian three ways: one prompt, a guided three-question conversation, or a free real-time conversation with Lumo.
Want to practise what you just read?
NorskMentor has a free plan with the core modules. Choose your level, and start with the skill this guide was about.
NorskMentor is a practice tool and is not affiliated with the organiser of Norskprøven. Level requirements for residence and citizenship are set by UDI and can change — check udi.no for the current rules.
