Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (the Social Studies Test) is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a permanent residence permit and Norwegian citizenship. The test examines whether you are familiar with Norwegian society — from Stortinget (Parliament) and NAV (the welfare office) to schools and the healthcare system.
But what does the test itself contain, and how is it structured? Here you will find a concrete overview: the number of questions, the time limit, which topics are covered, and what happens if you do not pass. You will also find information about registration and cost.
The test is not particularly difficult if you prepare well. Most people who arrive prepared pass on their first attempt. Here is everything you need to know.
What does the exam contain?
Samfunnskunnskapsprøven is a digital multiple-choice exam. You answer questions by selecting one of four answer options — there are no open text answers or oral components.
The test is taken at an approved test centre run by a local test organiser. You cannot take the exam from home. The test centre provides computers, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.
The test itself is divided into two parts. The first part consists of questions with exactly one correct answer. The second part has questions where you may select more than one option. Both parts count equally towards the final result.
You receive your result immediately after submitting. You will see whether you have passed or not passed — you are not given an exact score. The grade is simply pass or fail, nothing in between.
It is a good idea to read all the answer options carefully before choosing. Many questions have two options that appear similar, but only one is correct. Take your time — you have more than enough. Remember that you can go back and change your answers while the clock is running.
Number of questions and time limit
Samfunnskunnskapsprøven contains 34 questions in total. You have 45 minutes to answer all questions.
That gives you on average just over one minute per question — enough time for most people. The pace is usually not the problem. It is the content that requires preparation.
To pass, you must answer at least 26 out of 34 questions correctly. That corresponds to a passing threshold of 76.5 percent. You can therefore answer up to 8 questions incorrectly and still pass.
The test starts and ends automatically. The system closes your session when 45 minutes have elapsed, regardless of whether you have finished. You can go back and change answers while the clock is running, but you cannot continue after the time limit has been reached.
If you finish before time is up, you can submit manually. There is no advantage to waiting until the last second. Use any extra time to review your answers once more — it is always worth it.
The time limit applies equally to all candidates, regardless of which language you take the test in.
Which topics does the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven cover?
The test covers six main topics. The questions are drawn from the official curriculum developed by HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education).
The six topics are:
- Democracy and governance
- History and geography
- Work and welfare
- Family and everyday life
- Health and education
- Immigration and integration
The topics are covered evenly throughout the test — no single section dominates. You therefore cannot focus only on learning one topic well and ignore the rest.
The questions are linked to concrete facts: laws, institutions, rights, and how everyday life in Norway works. You will not be asked about opinions or personal judgements — only facts.
The curriculum for the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven is based on the book "Ny i Norge" (New in Norway), which is used in the introduction programme. You can download the book for free from hkdir.no in your own language — it is available in over 20 languages.
The most demanding questions tend to concern the NAV system, the structure of Stortinget (Parliament), and rights related to employment. Also read our guide on the introduction programme and Norwegian language training to understand the connection between the training and the test.
How to register for the test
You register for the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven at prove.hkdir.no. There you choose your date, location, and test language. Registration usually opens a few weeks before the test date.
You need a Norwegian personal identification number and an email address to create an account. Payment is made by card at the time of registration — the test costs 500 kroner per attempt.
Tests are held regularly in most Norwegian municipalities. Large cities such as Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim have the most frequent slots. If you live in a small municipality, you may need to travel to the nearest city.
You can withdraw from the test up to 72 hours beforehand. After this point you will forfeit the fee. Check your login details the day before the test so that you do not waste time on technical issues on the day itself.
Bring valid identification — a passport or residence card. Without identification you will not be admitted. Read more about documentation requirements in our article on requirements for permanent residence.
What happens if you do not pass?
If you do not pass, there is no reason to panic. You can register again as many times as you need. There is no limit on the number of attempts.
You pay 500 kroner for each new attempt. Failing does not directly affect your application for a residence permit, but you cannot apply for a permanent residence permit or citizenship until you have passed.
It is worthwhile using the time between attempts productively. Go through the topics you are unsure about. Use practice tests — they are the fastest and most effective way to prepare.
Statistics from HK-dir show that most people who take the test after thorough preparation pass. It is not about being particularly talented — it is about knowing the curriculum. If you know what the 34 questions are about and have practised on similar tasks, passing is a realistic goal.
After passing, your result is stored with HK-dir. You do not need to document the test result yourself — the authorities retrieve it automatically when you apply for a residence permit or citizenship via UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration).