Can you take the Norwegian social studies test in English?
The social studies test, samfunnskunnskapsprøven, can be taken in English — HKdir offers it in 23 languages, and you choose the language at the test centre. But whether an English result is enough depends entirely on what you need it for. For permanent residence it usually is; for Norwegian citizenship it is not.
- Official test format
- Every answer links to its source
- Free, no signup
Quick answer
You can sit samfunnskunnskapsprøven in English. The test is identical across languages: 38 questions, 60 minutes, and 26 correct answers to pass.
The limitation is what the result is valid for. UDI states that for a citizenship application the social studies test must have been taken in Norwegian: “If you took it in another language, you must retake it in Norwegian.”
- English result → usable in the permanent-residence pathway (check UDI for your case).
- Citizenship application → the test must be passed in Norwegian, or you take statsborgerprøven instead.
- The separate citizenship test (statsborgerprøven) exists only in Norwegian — Bokmål or Nynorsk.
Which languages are available
HKdir lists 23 test languages, including English, Arabic, Ukrainian, Somali, Tigrinya, Dari, Persian (Farsi), Spanish, French, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Thai and Norwegian itself. Audio support is available in 10 of the languages. The full list, with audio availability, is in our guide to the 23 test languages.
You do not choose a language when you register — you choose it at the test centre when you take the test. The questions, format and pass mark are the same regardless of language — only the wording changes.
When English is the wrong choice
If citizenship is your real goal, taking the social studies test in English means extra work: the English pass will not satisfy the citizenship knowledge requirement, so you would need to retake the test in Norwegian or pass statsborgerprøven later.
Many people take the test twice for exactly this reason. If you already know you will apply for citizenship, consider preparing in Norwegian from the start — the vocabulary you build doubles as preparation for the Norwegian-only citizenship test.
How to prepare in English
Study the concepts in the language you will be tested in. If you take the test in English, practise full sessions in English so that terms like the Storting, the ombudsman system and the welfare state are familiar in English wording.
Use full-length practice tests in English and check anything you are unsure of against samfunnskunnskap.no, which is available in English.
Common questions
Can I use an English social studies test result for citizenship?
No. UDI requires the social studies test to have been taken in Norwegian for citizenship. If you passed it in English, you must either retake it in Norwegian or pass the citizenship test (statsborgerprøven) instead.
Is the English version of the test easier?
No — it is the same test. 38 questions, 60 minutes, 26 correct answers to pass, identical topics. Only the language of the questions changes.
Can I take statsborgerprøven in English?
No. The citizenship test is only offered in Norwegian, with a choice between Bokmål and Nynorsk. HKdir describes the language level as roughly A2.
Practise the test in English.
Take a free mock test in English with instant feedback and official-source explanations — and see exactly which topics need more work.
Full official format — no signup needed. Sign up free afterwards to save your result.
- Official test format
A timed test with randomised questions and a pass mark, like the real one.
- Every answer links to its source
Open the official UDI, HKdir or samfunnskunnskap.no page behind any answer.
- Free, no signup
Take the full mock test in your browser. Save your result afterwards if you want to.