About the writing test
The Norwegian writing test (level A1-B2) tests how well you write texts about various topics in Norwegian. You must use a computer to take this test.
Choose level
When signing up for the test, you need to choose a level. You can choose between these levels:
- level A1-A2 (the easiest level)
- level A2-B1 (intermediate level)
- level B1-B2 (difficult level)
On the writing test, you cannot get a result that is higher than the level of the test you have chosen. For instance, you cannot get the result B1 on the A1-A2 test. But you can get a lower result than the level of the test you have chosen. For instance, you can get the result A1 on the A2-B1 test.
It is important not to choose a test that is too difficult for you. This is especially important if you are considering the B1-B2 test. B2 is a very high language level, and it may be difficult to answer comprehensibly if your Norwegian skills are not good enough.
If you are taking Norwegian classes, you should ask your teacher for advice on which level to choose. You may complete this self-evaluation form (in Norwegian) and show it to your teacher.
If you are not taking Norwegian classes, you can use the online tool Nivåvelger (in Norwegian) to help you find the best test for you.
Studying examples of writing-test tasks and candidate responses at different levels may also help you choose the right level. You may also read about what characterises the different language levels.
What is tested?
The writing test tests only tests how well you write Norwegian, not your knowledge of the topics in the test. The tasks in the test are about topics that all adults are familiar with, such as family, school and work.
The writing test tests:
- if you can give a comprehensible answer to the task questions.
- different aspects of the language you use: text structure, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and grammar.
NB: The test measures independent language use. Text learned by heart is not relevant on this test. Therefore you should not memorize text and use it in your answer. If you submit text written by someone else, you also risk being suspected of cheating. Cheating means doing something that is not allowed. Read more about what is considered cheating.
Tasks on the writing test
- Task 1: Write a message
- Task 2: Describe the picture (around 50 - 80 words)
- Task 3: Write about a familiar topic (around 80 words or more)
You have 90 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes) for these three tasks.
You must answer all three tasks to get a result.
- Task 1: Describe the picture (around 80 - 100 words)
- Task 2: Write about a familiar topic (around 80 - 200 words)
- Task 3: Write an e-mail where you give reasons for opinions (around 80 words or more)
You have 90 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes) for these three tasks.
You must answer all three tasks to get a result.
- Task 1: Write an e-mail where you give reasons for opinions (around 80 words or more)
- Task 2: Argue your point of view(choose between two tasks, write around 250 - 350 words)
You have two hours for these two tasks.
You must answer both tasks to get a result.
The suggested number of words is intended to help you, so that you do not write far too much or too little. It is particularly important that your answers are not too short.
Your result will not be negatively affected by being longer than the recommendation, but it is usually better to spend the time revising your text and correcting errors.
The page Practice for the Writing Test has examples of tasks at all three levels.
You will have 90 minutes or 2 hours for the test
You will have more time for a B1-B2 writing test than for the other levels.
- The A1-A2 and A2-B1 tests last 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes)
- The B1-B2 test lasts 2 hours
You can stop writing before the time is up, but you cannot use more time.
A rater decides your result
The writing test is assessed by a team of raters from around the country. The raters are teachers with long experience from teaching and assessment of Norwegian as a second language.
Your response on the test, is delivered electronically to the raters. Each response is assessed by two raters, who set their results independently of each other. If their results are different, a third rater will assess the test.
Raters do not have any information about your identity or about results you have been given on Norskprøven earlier.
Raters base their results on an assessment form (PDF) (in Norwegian) which describes the levels A1-B2. If your test certificate says “ikke nok grunnlag for vurdering” (”not enough basis for assessment”), it may be because you did not answer all the questions. “Ikke nok grunnlag” is also given if a you write about a different topic than the one you are asked to write about.