Complaining about the social studies test: what can you complain about?

A complaint about the social studies test concerns formal errors in how the test was conducted that may have affected the result. You cannot complain about the result itself. Send a specific complaint to the test centre where you took the test no later than three weeks after test day. The rules here were checked on 1 October 2026.

What can you complain about in the social studies test?

You can complain when an error in the test administration may have affected your test. The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) gives technical errors as an example. What matters is what happened and how it may have affected your answers or the time available to you.

Possible circumstances to describe include the screen stopping, questions not being displayed correctly, or a registered error taking up a significant part of your test time. Failure to provide agreed accommodation or a serious disturbance may also be relevant to report. These are examples of circumstances that should be investigated, not promises that a complaint will be upheld. Ask the test supervisor to record the error immediately if it happens during the test.

SamfunnPrep has a separate guide to the social studies test format. It helps you distinguish the normal test format from a possible error.

Can you appeal the result or see the answer key?

You cannot appeal the result of the social studies test or request a new academic marking. This is different from the rules for some parts of the Norwegian Test. Do not use deadlines and forms for an appeal of a written Norwegian Test result for this matter.

A low result by itself does not show that something went wrong with the test administration. HK-dir's regulations also say access to answers on automatically marked tests may be restricted when questions are to be reused. You should therefore not base your complaint on a demand to see the entire question bank or answer key.

If you are not aware of a formal error, you can use the plan for your next attempt after failing. It shows how to identify weaker topics without access to closed test questions.

What is the deadline, and when does it start?

The deadline is three weeks from the day you took the social studies test. It does not start when you receive the result. HK-dir says the result usually arrives two to four weeks after the test. This means the complaint deadline may expire before you see your result.

Example: If you took the test on 2 October, you should send your complaint no later than 23 October. Do not wait until you receive the test certificate to report a known technical error. Keep a copy of your message and confirmation that the test centre received it.

If you are still in the test room when the error occurs, tell the test supervisor what happened. HK-dir's regulations allow the test centre to reset a test when an unforeseen event means the candidate has to stop. The test centre decides whether to do this; you cannot assume an automatic reset.

How do you write a useful complaint?

A useful complaint describes the event precisely enough for the test centre to investigate it. You do not need to guess the technical cause. Write what you saw or heard, and distinguish observations from assumptions.

Use this checklist:

1. Find the date, test centre and candidate number in your invitation or on My Page.
2. Write down the time or question number if you remember it, without repeating closed test questions.
3. Describe the error and how long it lasted.
4. Explain how it may have affected your time or ability to answer.
5. State whom you told and what was done at the centre.
6. Attach relevant confirmation, such as an email from the test centre.
7. Send it to the test centre where you took the test and ask for confirmation of receipt.

You can complain in writing or orally. For an oral complaint, the test centre must write it down and you must sign it. A written message is often easier to document. Avoid sending a copy of your passport or other unnecessary personal information in an ordinary email; ask the test centre about a secure channel if documentation is needed.

Short template you can adapt

“

Subject: Complaint about a formal error in the social studies test [date]

I took the social studies test at [test centre] on [date]. My candidate number is [number]. At around [time], the following happened: [short, specific description]. The error lasted about [time] and may have affected the test because [effect]. I told [role/name, if known], and [action] was taken. I ask you to handle this as a complaint about a formal error and confirm that you have received it.

What happens if your complaint is upheld?

The municipality considers the complaint first and must obtain a written statement from the test supervisor. If your complaint is upheld, the test in question is annulled. You are offered a new test without paying another test fee. Being successful with a complaint does not mean that a “not passed” result is changed directly to “passed”.

Ask the test centre about the next steps and timing when you receive its response. If you disagree with the decision, read the appeal guidance in the response before taking the next step. For a separate decision about cheating, follow the deadline and recipient stated in that decision; that is not the same kind of complaint as a technical error.

While the case is being considered, you can read HK-dir's official page about complaint options⁠ and contact the test centre about your specific test. For subject practice, SamfunnPrep has a free practice test, but the practice test does not decide whether a formal complaint should be upheld.

Ready to continue practising? Try SamfunnPrep for free once you know whether you will take the test again.