Citizenship test or social studies test: which one do I need?
They are two different tests on the same curriculum. For citizenship you need the citizenship test (or the social studies test taken in Norwegian). For permanent residence you need the social studies test in a language you understand.
| Citizenship teststatsborgerprøven | Social studies testsamfunnskunnskapsprøven | |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks | 36 | 38 |
| Scored | 32 | 34 |
| Pass mark | 24 | 26 |
| Time | 60 min | 60 min |
Is the samfunnskunnskapsprøven the same as the statsborgerprøven?
No. They are two tests with the same curriculum, the social studies curriculum for adult immigrants, which is free at samfunnskunnskap.no. The citizenship test has 36 tasks (32 scored, 24 correct to pass), is in Norwegian only and is at level A2. The social studies test has 38 tasks (34 scored, 26 correct to pass) and can be taken in 23 languages. Both are digital with at most 60 minutes.
Which test do I need for citizenship?
UDI: applicants aged 18 to 67 must have passed the tests when they hand in the application documents to the police. The social studies test only counts if it was taken in Norwegian; if you passed it in another language, you must take the citizenship test. Citizenship also needs an oral Norwegian test at level B1 (A2 for some groups).
Which test do I need for permanent residence?
The social studies test in a language you understand, plus an oral Norwegian test at level A2 or higher, for applicants aged 18 to 67. This applies to applications handed in from 1 September 2025 and replaced the earlier training requirement. The citizenship test is not required for permanent residence.
Can I be exempt from a test?
Yes, in some cases, for example grade 2 or better in social studies from Norwegian lower or upper secondary school, 10 or more study points on Norwegian society, a municipal decision or documented health reasons. See UDI's list on the exemption page.
Sources: HK-dir: citizenship test, HK-dir: social studies test, UDI: the tests for citizenship, UDI: permanent residence. Read 6 November 2026. Hei Norge is independent and not an official service: confirm your case with udi.no and prove.hkdir.no.
Next
Read the citizenship test guide and the social studies test guide, check who is exempt, or ask in the FAQ. Language question? See taking the test in English or your language.