The Civic Knowledge Test is a digital multiple-choice exam with 38 questions, of which 34 are scored. You have a maximum of 60 minutes, and you must have at least 26 correct to pass. The exam can be taken in 23 languages. Here you get a complete overview of the format, time, question types and topics, so nothing surprises you on exam day.
What is the Civic Knowledge Test?
The Civic Knowledge Test is a public exam that tests whether you know how Norwegian society functions – rights and duties, democracy, health, family, work and history. The exam is administered by HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education and Competence) and is based on the free curriculum on samfunnskunnskap.no. It is the same throughout the country.
Many newly arrived people have rights and duties to training in civic knowledge, and the exam concludes this training. You need to pass the Civic Knowledge Test among other things to apply for permanent oppholdstillatelse, and it can also be used as part of the requirements for Norwegian citizenship. If you have rights and duties to training, you can take the exam free of charge once; otherwise you pay yourself. SamfunnPrep helps you practice on this exact curriculum.
Format: number of questions and question types
You get 38 questions on the exam, but only 34 of them are scored. The four last ones are questions that HK-dir is testing out for future exams, and they do not count toward your result. You do not know which questions are pilot questions.
The vast majority of questions are multiple-choice questions with three answer options (a, b and c), where one option is correct. Some questions are image questions, where you should mark the correct location in an image. The exam is taken digitally at an approved test site, not at home.
How much time do you have, and how many do you need to get right?
You have a maximum of 60 minutes on the exam, and you must have at least 26 of the 34 scored questions correct to pass. That is approximately three out of four answers. Blank answers count as wrong, so it pays to answer everything – you lose nothing by guessing if you are unsure. Most people finish the exam well within the time.
What languages can you take the exam in?
The Civic Knowledge Test can be taken in 23 languages, including Norwegian, English, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, Somali, Tigrinya, Dari, Persian and Urdu. On 10 of the languages there is also audio support, so you can have the questions read aloud. Because you can take the exam in a language you understand well, it tests your knowledge of society – not how well you read Norwegian.
This is an important difference from the Citizenship Test (statsborgerprøven), which can only be taken in Norwegian. If you are unsure which test is right for you, read our guide on the difference between the Citizenship Test and the Civic Knowledge Test.
What topics does the Civic Knowledge Test cover?
The exam covers the same topics as the curriculum on samfunnskunnskap.no, which is divided into three main areas:
- Norway past and present – history, geography, democracy, values and laws.
- Family, health and daily life – children and family, health services, economy and sustainability.
- Education, skills and working life – school, training, work and rights in the workplace.
You should know something from all areas. If you want to see what the questions look like, you can practice real sample questions with answers from each topic.
Can you get an adapted exam?
Yes. If you have, for example, dyslexia, low vision or a health condition that makes the exam more difficult, you can contact the test site to request accommodations. Common measures are extended time, reading the questions aloud or a separate room. You usually have to document the need, and you should request accommodations well in advance before you register. Read more about adapted Civic Knowledge Test and who can get it.
How to prepare for the exam
The best preparation is to read the curriculum on samfunnskunnskap.no and practice many questions. That way you get used to how the questions are phrased, and you discover which topics you know least about. Always read the entire question, and watch out for small words like «not», «only» and «always», which often determine what is the correct answer.
On SamfunnPrep you can practice for free on hundreds of questions, take a full timed practice exam and see which topics you master best. That way you know you are ready before you register. Remember to bring valid identification on exam day – without approved ID you cannot take the exam.
On exam day: this you must remember
- Bring valid, physical identification (passport, driver's license, national ID card or other approved ID). Without approved ID you cannot take the exam.
- Arrive in good time at the test site – the exam is taken on a computer there, not from home.
- You cannot use your own notes, books or mobile during the exam.
- Answer everything. You have good time, and blank answers count as wrong.
- You will usually know the result shortly after the exam.
What happens if you do not pass?
If you do not pass, it is not a problem – you can register for the exam again. You will then have to pay again if you no longer have the right to a free exam. Use the time between attempts to practice on the topics you were weakest on, and it usually goes better next time. See prices, deadlines and test sites in the guide on registration and test sites.
Ready to test yourself? Try SamfunnPrep for free and practice the entire curriculum before exam day.
