Stortinget (Parliament) is Norway's national assembly and one of the topics you are virtually guaranteed to be asked about on Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test). Stortinget passes laws, determines the national budget and oversees the government. Without understanding Stortinget's role it is difficult to pass the exam. This guide gives you the concrete facts you need: what Stortinget does, how elections work, how laws are made, and what questions you can expect on the test. Everything is explained simply and directly so you can spend your time learning — not searching for information. We also cover the most common mistakes candidates make. If you supplement this with SamfunnPrep's practice questions, you will be well prepared for the test day.
Stortinget's role in Norwegian democracy
Stortinget (Parliament) is the legislative power in Norway. This means that Stortinget decides which laws apply in the country. Norway has a system of separation of powers, in which three institutions share power: Stortinget (legislative), the government (executive) and the courts (judicial).
Stortinget has 169 representatives. They are elected by the people every four years. The representatives come from across the country, distributed among 19 electoral districts. Each district sends a specific number of representatives based on population and area.
One of Stortinget's most important tasks is to pass the national budget. The government proposes the budget, but it is Stortinget that debates and approves it. No public funds can be spent without Stortinget's consent.
Stortinget also oversees the government. Representatives can put questions to ministers, and they can table a vote of no confidence if they believe the government is performing poorly. This oversight function is vital to ensure that power is not abused.
Stortinget also handles international agreements that Norway enters into. Important agreements must be approved by Stortinget before they take effect. In addition, Stortinget can establish commissions of inquiry to investigate particular matters. This power makes Stortinget the most important democratic institution in the country.
Tip: Remember the three key words — laws, budget, oversight. They summarise Stortinget's main tasks and often appear as answer options on the exam.
How laws are passed through Stortinget (Parliament)
The legislative process in Norway follows fixed steps. First the government drafts a bill. The bill is called a proposition and is submitted to Stortinget. Members of parliament can also put forward their own proposals, known as private member's bills. In practice it is the government that stands behind most of the laws that are passed.
When the bill arrives in Stortinget it is referred to one of the standing committees. Norway has twelve parliamentary committees, and each committee is responsible for specific subject areas. The committee discusses the bill thoroughly and writes a recommendation report.
After the committee stage, all 169 representatives vote on the bill in the chamber. A bill must be passed twice with at least three days in between. Once the law has been passed, Stortinget sends it to the King in Council for royal assent. Royal assent is a formality — in practice the King cannot refuse.
Finally the law is published in the Norwegian Law Gazette and enters into force on the date Stortinget has determined. The entire process ensures that laws are carefully considered before they apply. It is a deliberate system with multiple checkpoints.
Many questions on Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test) concern this process. Typical questions are: "Who proposes laws?" and "Who passes laws?" The answer is that the government proposes and Stortinget passes. Also read our guide on Norway's history for a complete overview of the separation of powers.
Parliamentary elections in Norway: who votes and how
Parliamentary elections are held every four years, always in September. The next parliamentary election is in autumn 2025. All Norwegian citizens over the age of 18 have the right to vote in parliamentary elections. You do not need to register — you are automatically placed on the electoral roll.
Only Norwegian citizens can vote in parliamentary elections. In local elections, foreign citizens with at least three years of residence period can also vote. This distinction is a common question on the exam.
Voters cast their vote for a political party, not for individual candidates. Each party has a list of candidates in each electoral district. Seats are allocated according to proportional representation, meaning that parties receive seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive.
Norway also has levelling seats. There are 19 such seats — one per electoral district. They ensure that the overall distribution in Stortinget reflects the national election result. Without levelling seats, smaller parties could be under-represented.
There is no electoral threshold for winning a district seat in Stortinget. But to receive a levelling seat a party needs at least 4 per cent of the votes nationally. This threshold is called the sperregrense (electoral threshold) and is intended to prevent very small parties from receiving levelling seats.
After the election, parties negotiate to form a government. The party or coalition that holds a majority — or that Stortinget accepts — forms the government. The prime minister is appointed by the King on the recommendation of Stortinget.
For the exam you should remember: parliamentary elections every four years, only Norwegian citizens vote, proportional representation, and the 4 per cent electoral threshold. These four facts cover the most common questions about elections.
Typical Stortinget questions on Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test)
Questions about Stortinget (Parliament) appear in almost every version of the test. Here are the most common topics you should prepare for, based on previous exams.
The most frequently asked question concerns Stortinget's main task. The correct answer is to pass laws. Other options that often appear are "to judge in court cases" (wrong — that is what the courts do) and "to lead the government" (wrong — that is what the prime minister does).
You may also be asked about the number of representatives. The answer is 169. Some tests also ask how often elections are held. The answer is every four years.
A common question is who can vote in parliamentary elections. Here it is important to answer Norwegian citizens over the age of 18 — not everyone who lives in Norway. This distinction confuses many candidates.
Some tests assess whether you understand the difference between Stortinget and the government. Stortinget passes laws. The government proposes laws and implements them. The prime minister leads the government, not Stortinget. The leader of Stortinget is called the President of the Storting (stortingspresidenten).
You may also be asked what a parliamentary committee is. The answer is that committees are groups of representatives who prepare matters for Stortinget. Each committee covers a subject area, such as health, finance or education. The committees' recommendations form the basis for what Stortinget votes on.
Practise these questions with SamfunnPrep's practice questions to test yourself before the exam. You can also find useful information on Stortinget's own website and at HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education) which administers the test.
How to memorise facts about Stortinget (Parliament) for the exam
There is a lot to remember, but with the right technique you can learn the most important facts in a short time. Start by focusing on numbers and facts that are often tested directly.
Make yourself a simple memory list: 169 representatives, 19 electoral districts, 19 levelling seats, 4 per cent electoral threshold, elections every 4 years, 12 committees. Write them down and repeat them daily for a few minutes. Repetition is the fastest route to memorisation.
Use comparisons to distinguish between the institutions. Stortinget sets the rules (laws). The government follows the rules (implements them). The courts rule when someone breaks the rules. This threefold division is the basis for many of the test questions.
When you practise, read the question carefully before answering. Many mistakes happen because candidates confuse Stortinget with the government. Ask yourself: is the question about passing something? Then the answer is Stortinget. Is it about implementing something? Then the answer is the government.
Take a practice exam at SamfunnPrep to see where you stand. The results will show which topics you have mastered and which you should practise more. You can also find information about the test on HK-dir's pages about Samfunnskunnskapsprøven.
Start with what you find most difficult and set aside 15 minutes each day. That is enough to cover the Stortinget topic thoroughly before the test day. Many people who have passed the exam say that the Stortinget questions were among the easiest — precisely because the facts are concrete and easy to memorise once you have an overview.