Glossary: Norwegian citizenship test terms explained
The words you meet when you register for and take the citizenship test, in alphabetical order, with the Norwegian term first. Facts follow HK-dir and UDI; see the linked pages for the full rules.
- A2 and B1 (språknivå)
- Levels of the European language scale. The citizenship test (statsborgerprøven) is on level A2 (HK-dir). The oral Norwegian test needed for citizenship is at level B1 since 1 October 2022; some groups need A2 (UDI). For permanent residence the oral test requirement is A2.
- Bokmål and nynorsk
- The two written forms of Norwegian. For the citizenship test you choose whether to take it in bokmål or nynorsk.
- Fritak / unntak (exemption)
- Being excused from a test, for example because of school grades, university credits, a municipal decision or health reasons. See who is exempt.
- HK-dir
- Direktoratet for høyere utdanning og kompetanse (Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills). It runs the website and registration portal for the citizenship test, the social studies test and the Norwegian tests: prove.hkdir.no.
- Innkalling
- The invitation from the test centre with date, time and place. HK-dir says it comes two weeks before the test.
- Min side
- HK-dir's login page where you see your tests and results. You need your e-mail address and mobile number registered with the test centre.
- Muntlig norskprøve
- The oral Norwegian test. Applicants for citizenship aged 18 to 67 need it at level B1 (A2 for some groups); applicants for permanent residence need A2 (UDI).
- Påmelding (registration)
- Signing up for a test in HK-dir's registration portal. It is binding: you pay even if you do not take the test. See dates, registration and price.
- Pensum (curriculum)
- The curriculum for both tests is the social studies curriculum for adult immigrants, free to read at samfunnskunnskap.no (HK-dir).
- Permanent oppholdstillatelse
- Permanent residence permit. Applicants aged 18 to 67 need the social studies test in a language they understand and an oral Norwegian test at level A2 (UDI, for applications from 1 September 2025).
- Prøvebevis
- The test certificate. HK-dir says it arrives 2 to 4 weeks after the test, and you can see the result the day after.
- Prøvested (test centre)
- The place where you take the test. Municipalities and adult education centres run test centres and set the dates and the price. You find them in the registration portal.
- The social studies test: 38 tasks, 34 scored, 26 correct to pass, at most 60 minutes, offered in 23 languages. It is required for permanent residence and counts for citizenship only if taken in Norwegian. See the social studies test guide.
- Statsborgerprøven (citizenship test)
- The citizenship test: 36 tasks, 32 scored, 24 correct to pass, at most 60 minutes, in Norwegian only. See the citizenship test guide.
- Statsborgerskap
- Citizenship. UDI processes the application. Applicants aged 18 to 67 must have passed the tests when they hand in the application documents to the police (UDI).
- Tilrettelegging (accommodation)
- An adjustment of the test, such as extra time or a separate room. Contact your test centre as soon as possible and no later than three days after you registered.
- UDI
- Utlendingsdirektoratet (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration). It decides citizenship and permanent residence applications and publishes the rules on which tests you need.
Practise with the citizenship test mock exam or the social studies mock exam, and read the FAQ. Sources: HK-dir (prove.hkdir.no) and UDI (udi.no), read 6 November 2026.