The 23 languages you can take samfunnskunnskapsprøven in
HKdir offers samfunnskunnskapsprøven, the social studies test, in 23 languages. The test itself does not change: the same questions, the same pass mark and the same 60 minutes, whichever language you sit it in. You do not pick the language when you register — you choose it at the test centre on the day — and the one rule that limits your choice is citizenship, which requires a Norwegian-language pass.
- Official test format
- Every answer links to its source
- Free, no signup
Quick answer
You can sit the social studies test in any of 23 languages, from Albanian to Vietnamese. Ten of them also offer audio support, so the questions can be read aloud to you.
The language is not part of registration. HKdir says you choose it when you take the test at the test centre. Pick the language you read most comfortably — unless you plan to apply for citizenship, in which case the test must be taken in Norwegian.
- 23 languages, identical questions, pass mark and time limit in each.
- You choose the language at the test centre on the day, not when you register.
- Only a Norwegian-language pass counts toward citizenship.
All 23 test languages
Audio support means the questions can be read aloud to you during the test.
| Language | Audio support |
|---|---|
| Albanian | No |
| Amharic | No |
| Arabic | Yes |
| Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian | No |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | No |
| Dari | Yes |
| English | Yes |
| French | Yes |
| Kurdish (Sorani) | Yes |
| Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk) | Yes |
| Pashto | Yes |
| Persian (Farsi) | No |
| Portuguese | No |
| Russian | No |
| Somali | Yes |
| Spanish | No |
| Swahili | No |
| Thai | No |
| Tigrinya | Yes |
| Turkish | No |
| Ukrainian | No |
| Urdu | Yes |
| Vietnamese | No |
When you choose the language
HKdir is explicit about the timing: you do not need to choose a language when you register for the test. You choose your language when you take the test at the test centre. That means a change of mind before the day costs you nothing.
Whichever language you pick, you sit the same test. It has 38 questions, of which 34 are scored, and you need 26 correct answers to pass within a maximum of 60 minutes. The questions are multiple choice with three options, plus questions where you place a marker on an image. Those image questions work the same way in every language.
Which language should you choose?
For permanent residence, choose the language you understand best. A pass is a pass, and reading the questions without effort leaves you more of the 60 minutes for thinking. If one of the ten audio languages suits you, that support can help too. The permanent residence requirements guide sets out what else that application needs.
If Norwegian citizenship is a goal, the choice is made for you. UDI requires the social studies test to have been taken in Norwegian, so a pass in another language would mean sitting the test again. Our English guide goes through that trade-off in detail.
Whatever you decide, practise in the language you will sit. Civic terms are the hard part, and you want them familiar in the wording you will actually read on the day.
Common questions
Is the test easier in some languages?
No. Every language version has the same 38 questions, the same 34 scored, the same 26 correct answers to pass and the same 60 minutes. Only the wording changes.
Can I switch language on the day?
Yes. HKdir does not tie the language to your registration — you choose it when you take the test at the test centre, so nothing binds you before then.
My language is not on the list. What now?
Choose the listed language you understand best. Ten of the 23 offer audio support, which can help if listening is easier for you than reading. The official learning resource samfunnskunnskap.no is available in many languages, so you can often study in one language and sit the test in another.
Which languages count for citizenship?
Only Norwegian — Bokmål or Nynorsk. UDI states that a social studies test used for a citizenship application must have been taken in Norwegian, so a pass in any of the other 22 languages does not count.
Same test, your language.
Practise the social studies test free in the official format, in English or Norwegian, with every answer linked to its official source.
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.