Common questions on the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven 2025 with answers

Common questions on the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven concern Norwegian democracy, the welfare state, rights and duties. The test has 37 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 26 correctly to pass. The questions are drawn from seven official themes set by HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education): democracy and governance, rights and duties, health and care, education, working life, children and family, and the welfare society. This guide gives you 50 realistic practice questions with answers covering the most important themes. Use them to test yourself before exam day. Read more about the test format and time limit in our dedicated guide.

10 sample questions on democracy and governance

Democracy is the topic that recurs most frequently among common questions on the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven. Here are ten realistic practice questions with answers you can use to test yourself:

• What is Stortinget? Norway's national assembly, which passes laws and the national budget.
• Who appoints the Prime Minister? The King, on the advice of Stortinget (Parliament).
• What does the principle of separation of powers mean? That power is divided between Stortinget, the government, and the courts.
• How often are parliamentary elections held? Every four years.
• What is a municipality? The smallest administrative unit in Norway, with its own municipal council.
• Who has the right to vote in parliamentary elections? Norwegian citizens over 18 years of age.
• What is freedom of expression? The right to say and write what you think, within the limits of the law.
• What does the government do? It governs the country and proposes new laws to Stortinget.
• What is Grunnloven (the Constitution)? Norway's highest law, adopted in 1814.
• What does the rule of law mean? That everyone, including the authorities, must follow the law.

These questions cover the core of the democracy theme. Remember that the test always gives you three options. When you know the correct answer, it becomes easier to eliminate the wrong ones. Practise reading all three options carefully before answering.

Democracy questions often concern the relationship between Stortinget, the government and the courts. If you have a good understanding of the separation of powers, you can answer many questions correctly. Also bear in mind that local council elections and parliamentary elections have different rules for voting rights — foreign nationals may vote in local elections after three years of residence.

10 sample questions on rights and duties

Rights and duties is the second topic that comes up frequently on the test. These sample questions show what you should know:

• What is an important duty in Norway? To pay tax on your income.
• Is it legal to smack children in Norway? No, all physical punishment of children is prohibited.
• What is gender equality? That everyone has equal rights regardless of gender.
• What does freedom of religion mean? That you may freely choose your own religion, or have none.
• What is discrimination? Treating someone worse because of their background, gender or religion.
• Is schooling compulsory in Norway? Yes, children have both the right and the duty to receive primary education.
• What is the role of child welfare services (barnevernet)? To ensure that children have safe upbringing conditions.
• Can you refuse medical treatment? Yes, adults have the right to refuse treatment.
• What is the duty of disclosure (opplysningsplikten)? The duty to give correct information to the authorities.
• Does everyone have the right to an interpreter when dealing with public services? Yes, you have the right to an interpreter when necessary.

Many of these questions concern statutory rights. It is a good idea to read about the Integration Act at regjeringen.no. Rights and duties always go together — if you understand one side, you generally understand the other as well.

A useful tip is to think of rights and duties as two sides of the same coin. You have the right to free schooling — and the duty to send your children to school. You have the right to healthcare — and the duty to give correct information to your doctor. This logic helps you reason your way to the correct answer on the test.

How to use practice questions to pass the test

Reading through questions and answers once is not enough. Research on learning shows that active testing is far more effective than passive reading. You remember better when you actually try to retrieve the answer yourself.

Start by attempting all 50 practice questions without looking at the answers. Write down your answers, then check them afterwards. Mark the questions you got wrong. Those are precisely the ones you should practise most.

Vary your sources. Use practice questions from SamfunnPrep, but also read the summaries in the book "Introduksjon til Norge" (Introduction to Norway) that accompanies the integration programme. Combine reading with testing. Read a short passage, close the book, and try to explain the content in your own words.

Many candidates report that they passed the test after just two weeks of daily practice. The key is consistency, not volume. Set aside a fixed time each day and use it to test yourself actively.

Which topics should you prioritise before exam day?

You cannot read everything, and you do not need to. Data from HK-dir shows that democracy, rights and the welfare society together account for more than half the questions on most test sets. Prioritise in this order: democracy and governance first, then rights and duties, then the welfare society.

These three topics give you the most correct answers per hour invested. Health, education and working life are also important, but they tend to be more intuitive for most candidates. Do not spend time memorising details. The test examines understanding, not rote learning. If you understand why Stortinget holds power and how the welfare state is funded, you can answer most questions within these topics.

Also read about the requirements for permanent residence if that is the reason you are taking the test. Seeing the full picture of the process provides motivation. Use the last few days before the test to review the practice questions you got wrong previously. Do not start on new material right before — revise what you have already learnt. Focus on the topics where you are still making mistakes. Remember that 26 out of 37 correct answers is enough — you do not need a perfect score to pass.

Practice questions on health, working life and welfare

The remaining 30 questions in our collection cover health, working life, education, children and family, and the welfare society. Here is a selection you can practise on:

• What is the GP (fastlege)? Your regular family doctor in the municipality, who you are assigned to or can switch.
• What is NAV (welfare office)? The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, which handles benefits, unemployment allowance and social assistance.
• Do you have the right to parental leave in Norway? Yes, both parents have the right to leave following the birth of a child.
• What is a collective agreement (tariffavtale)? An agreement between an employer and a trade union concerning pay and working conditions.
• What is the National Insurance scheme (folketrygden)? The Norwegian system that provides economic security in the event of illness, old age and unemployment.

Questions about working life and welfare often concern practical rights. What happens when you fall ill? Who pays? What are you entitled to? The answers can be found at nav.no and in the curriculum from HK-dir.

The welfare state is built on solidarity: everyone contributes through taxes, and everyone has the right to assistance when they need it. This underlying principle recurs in a great many of the test's common questions. Once you understand the principle, you can reason your way to the correct answer even if you have not memorised that exact question.

Other common questions in this category concern sickness benefits, nursery places, the school health service, and the Working Environment Act. You do not need to remember every detail, but you should know that these arrangements exist and who is responsible for them. Feel free to use SamfunnPrep to practise all 50 questions with a timer.