Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test) taken in Russian is an option for those who prefer to sit the exam in their native language. The test assesses knowledge of Norwegian society, not Norwegian language skills, and that is why HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education) offers it in more than 25 languages — including Russian. You register through your municipality and select Russian as the language when you sign up. This guide tells you exactly how to book the test, what it contains, and how to prepare best as a Russian-speaking candidate. More than 8,000 people took the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven in a language other than Norwegian in 2024, according to HK-dir. Russian is one of the most popular language choices, so you are far from alone. Here you will find everything about registration, the test format, preparation and what to expect on the day of the test. This guide is written for those who want to pass on the first attempt.
Can you take the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven in Russian?
Yes, you can. The Samfunnskunnskapsprøven is available in Russian for everyone who has a right or an obligation to take it. This applies to most immigrants who arrived in Norway after 2005 and have been granted a residence permit that forms the basis for permanent residence.
The test assesses whether you are familiar with Norwegian society. It does not test your Norwegian language skills. That is precisely why it is offered in so many languages. HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education), which administers the test, offers it in more than 25 languages through prove.hkdir.no. The list of available languages is updated regularly, and Russian has been available for many years.
You do not need to have completed Norwegian language training before taking the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven. Many people choose to take it early in the integration process, while they are still learning Norwegian. This gives you one less thing to worry about later. Russian is one of the most in-demand languages among candidates, and test centres are accustomed to offering the test in this language.
The Integration Act of 2021 requires you to pass the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven in order to apply for permanent residence or citizenship. This requirement applies regardless of which language you take the test in — the result counts equally. Read more about the requirements in our guide on permanent residence permit requirements. Choose Russian at registration if you feel more confident reading and understanding the questions in your native language.
How to register for the exam in Russian
Registration takes place through your municipality or the local test centre. Most municipalities use a digital registration form found on the municipality's website. In some places you call the test centre directly. Contact the adult education service (voksenopplæringen) in your municipality if you are unsure where to register.
When you register, you will find a field where you select your test language. Select Russian here. The language selection is binding for that specific test date. If you change your mind, you must deregister and register again. The registration deadline is usually a few weeks before the test date, so do not wait too long.
Double-check that you have selected the correct language before confirming your registration. The language cannot be changed once the deadline has passed.
Test dates vary from municipality to municipality. Larger cities such as Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim offer the test more frequently than smaller municipalities. Check with your municipality for the next available date.
Bring valid identification on the day of the test — a passport or national identity card. A driving licence is not valid identification. You will be assigned a computer, and the entire test will be displayed in Russian from start to finish. The examination room is quiet, and you sit with ample distance from other candidates.
Remember to arrive at least 15 minutes before the test starts so that you have time for registration and check-in. If you arrive late, you risk losing your place and having to register again.
What the test contains — questions and topics
The Samfunnskunnskapsprøven consists of 37 multiple-choice questions. You have 60 minutes to answer. To pass you need at least 28 correct answers. The questions cover seven main topics from the curriculum.
The seven topics are: democracy and the welfare state, health, education and qualifications, working life, children and family, immigrant in Norway, and personal finance. Each topic has approximately the same number of questions. Some topics feel easier than others, but all require basic familiarity.
The questions in Russian are direct translations of the Norwegian originals. The content is identical regardless of language. This means that the preparation material you read in Norwegian, English or Russian covers the same subjects. The quality of the translation is generally good, although some formulations may feel slightly formal compared to everyday Russian.
A typical question might be: "What is the Stortinget's most important function?" with four answer options. Only one answer is correct. There are no open-ended questions or written responses.
Many questions relate to rights and duties in Norwegian society. Others concern practical matters such as tax cards, GP registration and child benefit. Focus on understanding the main principles rather than memorising details. Our overview of common questions on the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven is a good way to become familiar with the format. The more you practise with multiple-choice questions, the more quickly you will recognise patterns on the day of the test.
Preparation for Russian-speaking candidates
There are several resources you can use to prepare. The official textbook "Introduksjon til Norge" has been translated into Russian and can be downloaded free of charge from HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education). Start with this book — it covers the entire curriculum.
Use SamfunnPrep to practise with quizzes and mock exams. You receive immediate feedback and can track your progress. The practice questions resemble the actual test questions in format and level of difficulty. Repeat the quizzes several times until you consistently score above 80 per cent.
Set aside 30 minutes daily for two weeks before the test. That gives you enough time to cover all seven topics thoroughly. Read one topic per day, and use the remaining days for revision and mock exams. Write down concepts you find difficult and review them the following day.
It is a good idea to talk to other Russian-speaking people who have already passed the test. Many cities have integration groups and communities on social media where people share experiences and tips. Practical experience from others is valuable.
Do not stress about memorising all dates and details by heart. The test is more about understanding how Norwegian society works in practice. If you understand the main principles behind democracy, the welfare state and working life, you are well prepared to pass. The best tip is to combine reading with active practice — read a chapter and then take a quiz immediately afterwards.
Language selection and what happens on the day of the test
On the day of the test you arrive at the test centre at the appointed time. You check in with identification and are shown to a computer. The entire interface — instructions, questions and answer options — is displayed in Russian.
You navigate through the questions using simple buttons: next, previous and flag. You can skip questions and return to them later. Make use of this option. If a question is difficult, move on and come back to it with fresh eyes.
After 60 minutes the test ends automatically. Unanswered questions are counted as incorrect, so try to answer everything. You receive your result within a few weeks, either digitally or by post. The result shows whether you have passed and how many correct answers you had.
If you do not pass, you can retake the test. You can also choose a different language next time. Some candidates find that questions feel different when translated into different languages. If you found the Russian version unclear on certain points, you might try Norwegian or English next time.
Remember that the test result is valid for many years and is used when you apply for permanent residence or Norwegian citizenship. One passed test is enough — you do not need to retake it after you have passed.