# Social studies test: format, questions and pass mark

How the social studies test is structured: 38 questions, pass mark, languages, time, topics, the test day, result and opportunities to appeal.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/samfunnskunnskapsproven-format
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-03-31T00:00:00+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-22T22:16:29.305843+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- 26 of 34 scored questions The test has 38 questions. Four are hidden trial questions, and you need at least 26 correct answers among the 34 scored questions.
- 60 minutes at a test centre You take the test on the centre's computer, with valid identification and without your own aids.
- The language choice matters For citizenship, the test must normally be in Norwegian. For permanent residence, you can usually choose a language you understand.

The social studies test has **38 questions**, but only 34 count towards the result. You need at least **26 correct answers among the 34 scored questions** to pass. You have a maximum of 60 minutes, and you take the test on a computer at an approved test centre. This SamfunnPrep guide follows the official format **as of 12 September 2026**.

Four questions are trial questions. They look like the other questions, and you are not told which four do not count. You should therefore answer all 38 as well as you can.

## The format at a glance

| Part | Rule as of 12 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 38 |
| Questions that count | 34 |
| Pass mark | 26 correct out of 34 |
| Maximum time | 60 minutes |
| Delivery | On a computer at the test centre |
| Languages | 23 written languages and 10 audio languages |

The test includes questions with pictures and multiple-choice questions. The official sample test contains questions that are similar to the real test, but you will not receive the same questions on the test day. No serious study service can promise you the confidential exam questions.

## Which topics appear on the test?

The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills divides the learning material into three main areas:

1. **Education, skills and working life**
2. **Family, health and everyday life**
3. **Norway in the past and present**

This means that you should understand connections instead of only memorising isolated dates. For example, you may receive a question about rights at work, family life, health services, democracy or important features of Norwegian history. Read the official learning material and use the official sample test before taking other practice tests.

To see how the knowledge can be tested, you can use [50 questions with answers](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/50-sporsmal-med-svar) as a self-check. The questions there are for practice and are not copies of official test questions.

## Which language can you choose?

The test can be taken in Norwegian or several other languages. **As of 12 September 2026**, HK-dir lists 23 languages for the written test and 10 languages for the audio test. You choose the language at the test centre when the test starts.

Your choice of language affects what the result can be used for:

- For a **permanent residence permit**, the social studies test can normally be taken in a language you understand, provided that you are otherwise covered by the test requirement.
- For **Norwegian citizenship**, you must pass the citizenship test or the social studies test **in Norwegian**, unless UDI has granted you an exemption.

Do not choose the test language only because it seems easiest. First check which result UDI requires in your case. Read about the [difference between the citizenship test and the social studies test](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/statsborgerproven-vs-samfunnskunnskap) if you are unsure.

## Registration, price and a free test

You register through HK-dir's test system or according to the municipality's instructions. The test centre selects the dates it offers, so availability varies between municipalities. See the [step-by-step registration guide](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/melde-seg-pa-proven).

If you have both a right and an obligation to complete tuition in Norwegian and social studies, you may be entitled to one free social studies test. Other candidates pay the price set by the test centre. HK-dir lists a usual price range of **NOK 500–1 300 as of 12 September 2026**. Check the amount with the test centre before paying.

Register for only one test at a time. Read the terms before paying, because the rules on cancellation, a new date and refunds may depend on the situation and the test centre.

## Accommodations must be arranged early

If you need extra time, a separate room or another accommodation, contact the test centre as soon as possible and no later than three days after registering. The test centre assesses the need and may ask for documentation.

An accommodation does not change the competence measured by the test or the pass mark. It should make it possible to take the test in an appropriate way. Do not wait until the test day to explain your needs.

## What happens on the test day

The test is taken on a computer provided by the test centre. You cannot take it at home or on your own computer.

Bring valid proof of identity. The document must be on the list of approved identification, and the details must match those used when you registered. If you registered an identity number, the identification must show the same number. Contact the test centre before the test if the details do not match.

Arrive in good time. Mobile phones, smartwatches, notes and other aids must not be used during the test. The invigilator explains the rules and how the system works. Cheating or attempted cheating can have serious consequences.

When the test begins, read the entire question and all the answer options. Some mistakes happen because a candidate responds to a familiar word instead of what the question actually asks. Select an answer for every question and use any remaining time to review your answers.

## How to use the 60 minutes

On average, you have a little more than one and a half minutes per question, but you do not need to spend the same amount of time on every one. A simple plan is:

1. First answer the questions that you understand immediately.
2. Spend more time on questions where two options seem possible.
3. Check that you have answered all 38 before finishing.
4. Change an answer only when you have a specific reason.

The pass mark means that you do not need to know everything. The goal is at least 26 correct answers among the 34 scored questions. Because you do not know which four are trial questions, you must treat every question as if it counts.

## Result, test certificate and appeal

HK-dir states that the result is normally ready after **two to four weeks**. You can find the result online when it has been registered. A test certificate can be sent by post, and the result may be available through Vitnemålsportalen when its conditions are met.

You cannot appeal the result itself or demand a new academic assessment of your answers. You can appeal formal errors in the test procedure if you believe that the error may have affected the result. The deadline is three weeks. Contact the test centre quickly and explain specifically what happened.

If you do not pass, you can register again. Use the result as a signal to work more systematically with all three topic areas.

## A better study plan

Start with the official learning material. Then take the sample test, note the topics where you make mistakes, and review them before testing yourself again. Variety is more important than repeating the same quiz until you remember the order.

SamfunnPrep provides extra practice with explanations and can help you distribute your study time across the topics. It is a supplement to HK-dir's learning material, not a guarantee that you will pass. When you would like to practise, you can [start a free test session](https://samfunnprep.no/register).

## FAQ

### How many questions are on the social studies test?

There are 38 questions. Four are trial questions that do not count, but you are not told which ones. You should therefore answer all of them.

### How many correct answers do I need to pass?

You need at least 26 correct answers among the 34 questions that count towards the result.

### How much time do I have?

You have a maximum of 60 minutes for the entire test. The test is taken on a computer at an approved test centre.

### Can I take the test in my first language?

The test is available in several languages. For citizenship, the knowledge test must normally be passed in Norwegian. For permanent residence, you can normally use a language you understand. Check the requirement with UDI.

### Can I appeal if I do not pass?

You cannot appeal the result itself, but you can appeal formal errors in the test procedure that may have affected the result. The appeal deadline is three weeks.

## Sources

- [Les om prøven i samfunnskunnskap](https://prove.hkdir.no/nb-NO/samfunnskunnskapsprove/les-om-proven-samfunnskunnskap)
- [Les pensum og øv til prøven i samfunnskunnskap](https://prove.hkdir.no/nb-NO/samfunnskunnskapsprove/les-pensum-og-ov-til-proven-samfunnskunnskapsprove)
- [Meld deg på prøven i samfunnskunnskap](https://prove.hkdir.no/samfunnskunnskapsprove/meld-deg-pa-samfunnskunnnskap)
- [Dette skjer på prøvedagen](https://prove.hkdir.no/nb-NO/samfunnskunnskapsprove/dette-skjer-pa-provedagen-samfunnskunnskapsprove)
- [Finn resultatet ditt](https://prove.hkdir.no/samfunnskunnskapsprove/finn-resultatet-ditt-samfunnskunnskap)
- [Muligheter til å klage](https://prove.hkdir.no/nb-NO/samfunnskunnskapsprove/muligheter-til-a-klage-samfunnskunnskapsprove)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Social studies test: format, questions and pass mark", SamfunnPrep, 2026-03-31T00:00:00+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/samfunnskunnskapsproven-format