Norwegian tests and levels

Norwegian is measured on the CEFR levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2. The test most people take is Norskprøven, run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. It has four parts, and you can take one, two, three or all four:

• leseprøve (reading) and lytteprøve (listening), on a computer and marked automatically;

  leseprøve	Say lehsuhproevuh	لےسَپروےوَ	Means: reading test
  lytteprøve	Say luetuhproevuh	لیُتَپروےوَ	Means: listening test

• skriveprøve (writing), on a computer, marked by at least two examiners;

  skriveprøve

  Say skreevuhproevuh

  سکریوَپروےوَ

  Means: writing test

• muntlig prøve (speaking), a conversation with an examiner while a second examiner listens.

  muntlig prøve

  Say muntli proevuh

  مُنتلِ پروےوَ

  Means: speaking test (oral test)

Reading and listening begin with a short test everyone takes; how you do there decides whether you continue at A1–A2, A2–B1 or B1–B2. For writing and speaking you choose the level when you register. Most test centres hold the test four times a year, and the results come a few weeks later. There is also a separate Norskprøven at C1.

Typical requirements — always check the official rules (UDI, HK-dir, your university or employer):

• Permanent residence: a speaking test at A2 or higher (for police appointments from 1 September 2025), and a social studies test.
• Citizenship: a speaking test at B1 or higher, and the citizenship test (statsborgerprøven) or the social studies test, taken in Norwegian.

  statsborgerprøven

  Say statsborgarproevuhn

  ستاتسبورگارپروےوَن

  Means: the citizenship test

• University study taught in Norwegian: usually B2 in all four parts.
• Health professionals educated outside the EU/EEA: B2 in reading, writing, listening and speaking for Norwegian authorisation.

Lesson quiz

Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.