Have you been told that you did not pass the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test)? You are not alone, and you can retake it. You need 26 out of 38 correct answers to pass. That means you can answer 12 questions incorrectly and still make it. This guide explains exactly what to do now: how to register again, what it costs, which topics to focus on, and how to put together a realistic plan to pass next time. Everything is based on the rules from HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education) and UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration).
What does the result "not passed" mean?
The Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test) is a digital multiple-choice exam with 38 questions. You have 60 minutes and three answer options per question. The requirement is at least 26 correct answers. If you get 25 or fewer, your result will say "not passed."
You cannot appeal the result itself. The only thing you can appeal is formal errors during the test. Examples of formal errors include technical problems with the computer, noise in the room, or errors in the test system. The deadline to appeal such errors is three weeks after the test date. Appeals are sent directly to HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education).
A "not passed" result does not mean you are barred from further attempts. There is no limit to how many times you can try. You simply register again and retake the test when it suits you. Nobody can see how many attempts you have used — only the most recent result counts when you apply for a residence permit or citizenship.
Many candidates fail by just a few questions. Perhaps you got 24 correct and only needed two more. Or perhaps there was an entire topic you had not studied. Whatever the reason, the next step is the same: find out what went wrong, and work purposefully on those topics.
Write down which questions you were unsure about while it is still fresh in your memory. That information is invaluable when planning your next attempt.
How to register for a new exam
You register for a new test at prove.hkdir.no. There you choose a test venue, date, and pay. Most municipalities offer the test several times a year. Larger cities such as Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim hold tests more frequently — in Oslo, you can take it several times a month.
Registration is binding. This means you must pay even if you do not show up. If you fall ill, you must send a medical certificate to the test venue within 7 days. You may then receive a refund or the right to a new free attempt. Without a medical certificate, you forfeit the payment.
You cannot register for the same test twice in the same test period. Plan your timing so that you have enough time to practise properly between attempts. A good rule of thumb is to wait 4–6 weeks so that you have time to work on weak topics before trying again.
Always check that the test venue offers the test in the language you need. The test is available in 23 languages, but not every venue offers every language. You choose the language when you start the test. Remember: if you need the result to apply for citizenship, you must take the test in Norwegian bokmål or nynorsk.
Arrive in good time on the test day. Candidates who arrive late may be turned away without the offer of a new test. Read more about which languages the test is available in and choose the right one when you register.
What does it cost to retake the test?
The first time you take the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test) it is free, provided you have a right and obligation to attend Norwegian language and social studies training under the Integration Act. This applies to most people who arrived in Norway after 1 January 2022 and received a training decision from their municipality.
After the first attempt, the test costs around 1,000–1,100 kroner each time, depending on the test venue. Oslo charges 1,100 kroner, while other municipalities charge 1,000 kroner. There is no public support scheme covering the cost of additional attempts. You pay out of pocket every time.
If you are entitled to a free test in your home municipality, you lose that right if you choose to take the test in a different municipality. Check with your local adult education centre before registering.
Some employers cover the test fee for employees who need to pass for a residence permit. Ask your employer — the worst that can happen is that they say no. Some trade unions also offer support for courses and tests.
Payment is made during registration at prove.hkdir.no. You are not registered until you have paid and received a confirmation by SMS and email. Set aside money for at least one extra attempt so that you avoid financial stress. Investing in good practice resources before retaking the test can save you the cost of multiple test fees in the long run.
5 common mistakes and how to avoid them next time
Most people who fail make the same mistakes. Here are the most common ones — and what you can do differently next time.
Scattered reading without a system. The curriculum covers everything from Stortinget and NAV to child welfare and the healthcare system. Without a plan, you read a little about everything and remember very little. Make a weekly schedule where you cover one topic per day. Tick off each topic when you feel confident about it.
Only reading, never testing. Reading alone gives a false sense of security. You understand the text while you are reading, but cannot retrieve the answer under pressure. You must answer practice questions regularly. HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education) has a free demo test you can use. SamfunnPrep has over 225 questions that resemble the real ones.
Ignoring topics you find boring. Questions about working life, the welfare system, and the Integration Act come up surprisingly often. If you skip these topics, you lose easy points that could have saved your result.
Too little time on the test day. You have 60 minutes for 38 questions. That is less than two minutes per question. Practise answering under time pressure at home. Set a timer for 60 minutes and simulate the test as realistically as possible.
Guessing without elimination. When you are unsure, first eliminate the answer you know is wrong. With two options remaining, you have a 50% chance instead of 33%. This technique alone can give you 2–3 extra correct answers. Also read our guide on exam strategy for the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven.
Create a realistic study plan for 4–6 weeks
A concrete plan makes the difference between failing again and passing. Here is a structure you can adapt to your own daily life.
Weeks 1–2: Identify weak topics. Take a full practice test and note which topics you answer incorrectly. Sort topics into three groups: confident, unsure, and unknown. Start with the unknown ones. You can find free demo tests at HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education).
Weeks 3–4: Work on one topic at a time. Read the curriculum for the topic at samfunnskunnskap.no or in your textbook. Then answer practice questions on that topic only. Do not move on until you have mastered it. Use SamfunnPrep to practise questions within each individual topic.
Weeks 5–6: Comprehensive revision. Take at least three full practice tests under realistic conditions — set a timer for 60 minutes. Can you get 30 out of 38 correct? Then you have a good margin to pass the real test. If you only manage 26–28, keep working on your weakest topics.
Use short sessions. 30 minutes daily is more effective than three hours once a week. The brain needs time to process new information between sessions. Set a fixed time each day — morning or evening — and stick to it.
Read about permanent residence permit requirements to remind yourself why you are doing this. Having a clear goal makes it easier to keep going during tough weeks.