The Norwegian Test Autumn 2026 has a short registration window: it opens Monday 17 August 2026 at 09.00 and closes Friday 21 August at 23.59. The exam itself is held 21–25 September. If you miss the deadline, you must wait for the next round.
What is the Norwegian Test?
The Norwegian Test is the language test from HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education and Competence). It measures how well you understand and use Norwegian, at levels A1 to B2. The test is not the same as the Civic Knowledge Test: the Norwegian Test tests language, while the Civic Knowledge Test tests knowledge about Norwegian society. The levels follow CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
When is registration and the exam Autumn 2026?
Registration for the first autumn round opens Monday 17 August 2026 at 09.00 and closes Friday 21 August at 23.59. The exam period is 21–25 September. Not all test sites hold the exam on all days, so check your local council's website for local dates. There is also a later round in autumn.
| Round | Registration | Exam period | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| First autumn round | 17–21 August 2026 | 21–25 September 2026 | 20 October 2026 |
| Later round (winter) | 26–30 October 2026 | 30 November–4 December 2026 | 7 January 2027 |
What sub-tests does the Norwegian Test have?
The Norwegian Test has four sub-tests, and you can register for one, several or all of them. Each sub-test gives a separate result at levels A1–B2:
- Listening comprehension (listening)
- Reading comprehension (reading)
- Written expression (writing)
- Oral communication (speaking)
For permanent residence and citizenship, it is the speaking sub-test that counts most, but many take all four.
What level do you need?
The level you need depends on your goal. Requirements have become stricter in recent years, so it is wise to check what applies specifically to you:
- Permanent residence: You must have passed the Norwegian Test for speaking at least at level A2. The requirement applies to you between 18 and 67 years old and was raised from A1 to A2 from 1 September 2025. You must also have passed the Civic Knowledge Test.
- Norwegian citizenship: Most must have passed the Norwegian Test for speaking at level B1. The requirement has applied to applications submitted from 1 October 2022. Some have exceptions, for example people over 55 who came as refugees, or disability pensioners, who can manage with A2.
Read more about the path to permanent residence and about becoming a Norwegian citizen.
How do you register – privately or through the council?
If you have the right and obligation to Norwegian language training, or if you participate in an introductory programme, the test site registers you, and you can take all sub-tests for free once. If you register as a private person, you pay a fee. The council sets the price itself: it varies from around 400 kroner for one sub-test to up to 2,500 kroner for the full Norwegian Test. If you want to improve your Norwegian before the exam, there are several ways to learn Norwegian for free.
Norwegian Test or Civic Knowledge Test?
These are two different tests, and for citizenship you need to pass both. The Norwegian Test tests language, while the Civic Knowledge Test tests what you know about Norway – laws, rights, health, school and democracy. SamfunnPrep trains you on precisely the Civic Knowledge Test, with tasks that resemble the real ones. See how you can take the Civic Knowledge Test in a language you understand, and practise at your own pace with SamfunnPrep.
Ready to practise? Try SamfunnPrep for free.
