The social studies test (samfunnskunnskapsprøven) for permanent residence

Last updated: 2026-11-06

The samfunnskunnskapsprøven has 38 tasks, of which 34 are scored. You need at least 26 correct. You have at most 60 minutes. The test is digital and can be taken in 23 languages, so you can choose a language you understand.

Who must take it?

Applicants for permanent residence (permanent oppholdstillatelse) aged 18 to 67 must pass the social studies test in a language they understand and an oral Norwegian test at level A2 or higher. From 1 September 2025 the old requirement to complete Norwegian and social studies training was replaced by tests. Exemptions exist for documented qualifications, health or personal circumstances and some municipal decisions. Source: UDI, "Krav om prøver for å få permanent oppholdstillatelse".

The test is also accepted for citizenship, but only if taken in Norwegian. If you took it in another language you must pass the citizenship test as well.

Languages

Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Dari, English, French, Chinese (Mandarin), Kurdish (Sorani), Norwegian (bokmål and nynorsk), Pashto, Persian (Farsi), Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese. Read-aloud is available in ten of them. Polish and Lithuanian are not offered. Source: HK-dir.

Practise for free

Study the 13 modules, then take a practice test. Our questions are explained in plain language and checked against official sources.

The two tests

Free practice tests

• Citizenship test · Practice test 1Start →
• Citizenship test · Practice test 2Start →
• Citizenship test · Practice test 3Start →
• Citizenship test · Practice test 4Start →
• Social studies test · Practice test 1Start →
• Social studies test · Practice test 2Start →
• Social studies test · Practice test 3Start →
• Social studies test · Practice test 4Start →