Norwegian language exams and levels (A1–C1) explained

Sooner or later most newcomers hear "you need B1" or "you need an A2 oral test". This guide explains the official Norwegian tests, what the levels mean in practice for residence, citizenship and university, and how to sign up. Everything here comes from the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), which runs the tests, from UDI, and from the university admissions service Samordna opptak. Rules change, so always check the official pages before you register.

The main test: Norskprøven (A1–B2)

Norskprøven is the national Norwegian test for adult immigrants. HK-dir says it measures levels A1, A2, B1 and B2 and has four separate parts:

1. Reading (leseforståelse)
2. Listening (lytteforståelse)
3. Writing (skriftlig framstilling)
4. Oral communication (muntlig kommunikasjon)

You choose how many parts to sign up for, and each part gives its own result.

How the levels work:

• Reading and listening are the same test for everyone. They're partly adaptive: the more you get right, the harder the questions. HK-dir notes you can make several mistakes and still get a B2 result.
• For writing and oral, you choose a level when you register: A1–A2, A2–B1 or B1–B2. In the writing test you can get a lower result than the level you signed up for, but not a higher one, so choose carefully. In the oral test you can get a higher result than the level you registered for.

What the day looks like:

• Reading, listening and writing are taken on a computer and together take about 3.5–4.5 hours: listening 30–60 minutes, reading 75 minutes, and writing 90 minutes (A1–A2 and A2–B1) or 120 minutes (B1–B2).
• The oral test is done in pairs: two candidates registered for the same level take it together, with an examiner and an assessor present. HK-dir gives its length as roughly 20–30 minutes.

The advanced test: Norskprøven C1

For very advanced learners there's a separate Norskprøven C1 – høyere akademisk nivå. It has only C1-level tasks, and the result is either C1 or not passed. It has two parts, and you can register for one or both:

• listening and writing (fully digital), and
• reading and oral communication.

HK-dir recommends talking to a teacher who knows the highest levels well, or taking a guidance test, before signing up. Some test centres only offer C1 to people who live in their municipality.

Which level do you need?

A few details worth knowing:

• Citizenship at A2: UDI accepts an A2 oral result only in some cases, for example stateless people, applicants over 55 who came to Norway seeking protection or as resettled refugees, applicants over 55 receiving disability benefits, and people who applied before 1 October 2022.
• Exemptions for permanent residence: UDI lists ways to be exempted from the oral test, for example a grade of 2 or higher in Norwegian in Norwegian school, or at least 30 ECTS credits of university studies in Norwegian.
• For citizenship you must have passed the tests when you hand in your documents to the police.
• The old "Bergen test": Folkeuniversitetet stopped offering Test i norsk – høyere nivå (Bergenstesten) in October 2022. Earlier passes still count for university admission, and since 2023 some combinations of Bergenstesten and Norskprøven parts are accepted.

How to register, dates and fees

You register through HK-dir's test portal during a short window. These are the remaining 2026 dates:

The C1 test has the same registration window, and HK-dir lists the next C1 test for 7 and 8 December.

What it costs: your municipality sets the price. HK-dir says it can range from about NOK 400 (or more) for one part to NOK 2,500 (or less) for the whole test. As an example, Bergen's 2026 prices are NOK 1,034 for the oral test or the written test, and NOK 517 for each single listening, reading or writing part. The exact price is shown in the registration portal.

Free test: if you have the right and obligation to Norwegian tuition, you can take all parts free once, and the test centre registers you. Everyone else registers and pays themselves. Not sure which group you're in? Our learning Norwegian guide explains rights and obligations.

Preparing for the test

• Pick the right level. Because the written result can't go higher than the level you registered for, aim for the level you're confident in. For the oral test there's less risk, since you can score above your registered level.
• Practise speaking with a partner. The oral test is done in pairs, so practise talking with someone, not just to yourself. Library language cafés (for example at Deichman in Oslo) and a tutor both help.
• Book a teacher who offers test preparation. Ask in the first lesson whether they know Norskprøven and the level you're aiming for.

Prefer to pay lesson by lesson? italki lets you choose between Professional Teachers and Community Tutors and book a teacher one lesson at a time. See our honest Preply vs italki comparison for how the two differ.

Quick summary

• Norskprøven tests reading, listening, writing and speaking at A1–B2. You choose which parts to take.
• Permanent residence: oral A2. Citizenship: oral B1 plus a social studies or citizenship test in Norwegian.
• University in Norwegian: B2 in all four parts (or another approved route).
• Fees are set by your municipality. Registration windows are short, so put the dates in your calendar.