Practice for the reading test
Practice by reading Norwegian texts, for example newspapers and on the internet. You can also do the sample tasks.
The reading test does not measure your knowledge, only language.
To get a good result on the test, you should:
- practice reading and understanding Norwegian,
- familiarize yourself with the content and structure of the test, and the types of tasks used in the test,
- practice by doing the sample tasks for the reading test.
Tasks in the reading test
The reading test has short texts since you only have 75 minutes to do the test.
The texts are adapted to the skill level. Texts at level A1-A2 are shorter and easier than the texts at level B1-B2.
Texts used in the reading test are unambiguous. A question has only one correct answer.
Levels
There are different task types for different levels of the reading test.
Remember to read the question carefully before answering.
The sample tasks can help you prepare for the types of tasks you will meet in the test and practice answering the questions.
These tasks are only examples. You will not find these tasks in the test, but you will get similar tasks.
When you do the sample tasks, you will see how many tasks you answered correctly. You will not get a result (level).
The sample tasks are only available in Norwegian.
Choose “bokmål” or “nynorsk”
When you open the link to a set of sample tasks, you have to choose bokmål or nynorsk.
The reading test and the sample tasks are done on a computer. The sample tasks might not work on a mobile or tablet.
Sample tasks
The main test at level A1-A2 has tasks at level A1 and A2. (But you might get tasks at B1 level in the pre-tests.)
In the list below, you will find examples of the task categories you will meet at level A1 and A2.
Some of the sample tasks are easier than A1, but most are at level A1 or A2. If you are at A1 level, you probably will not answer the A2 tasks correctly.
Tip: Do not spend much time trying to solve difficult tasks. Move on to the next task. If you have time, you can go back to difficult tasks later.
Some tasks contain difficult words. You might solve these even if you do not know all the words.
The task categories you will meet at level A1-A2 are:
- Click in the picture and calendar,
- Sample tasks: Click in the picture and calendar (level A1-A2)
- Choose the correct picture,
- Sample tasks: Choose the correct picture (level A1- A2)
- Choose the correct text,
- Sample tasks: Choose the correct text (level A1- A2)
- Multiple choice
- Sample tasks: Multiple choice tasks (level A1-A2)
- Choose the correct word.
- Sample tasks: Choose the correct word (level A2)
The main test at level A2-B1 has tasks at level A2 and B1. (But you might get A1 tasks in the pre-tests.)
In the list below, you will find examples of the task categories you will meet at level A2 and B1.
If you are at A2 level, you might not manage to solve the B1 tasks.
Tip: Do not spend much time trying to solve difficult tasks. Move on to the next task. If you have time, you can go back to the difficult tasks later.
Some tasks contain difficult words. You might solve these even if you do not know all the words.
The task categories you will meet at level A2-B1 are:
- Choose the correct text,
- Sample tasks: Choose the correct text (level A1-A2)
- Multiple choice,
- Sample tasks: Multiple choice tasks (level A2-B1)
- Choose the correct name – who could say this?
- Sample tasks: Choose the correct name – who could say this (level B1)
- Move paragraph,
- Sample tasks: Move paragraph (level B1)
- Choose the correct word.
- Sample tasks: Choose the correct word (level A2-B1)
The main test at level B1-B2 contains tasks at levels B1 and B2. (But you will get A1 and A2 tasks in the pre-tests.)
In the list below, you will find examples of the task categories you will meet at level B1 and B2.
If you are at B1 level, you will probably not answer the B2 tasks correctly.
Tip: Do not spend much time trying to solve difficult tasks. Move on to the next task. If you have time, you can go back to the difficult tasks later.
Some tasks contain difficult words. You might solve these even if you do not know all the words.
The task categories you will meet at level B1-B2 are:
- Move paragraph,
- Sample tasks: Move paragraph (level B1)
- Multiple choice – long and short,
- Sample tasks: Multiple choice tasks (level B1-B2)
- Fill in the gaps,
- Sample tasks: Fill in the gaps (level B1)
- Choose the correct name – who is it?
- Sample tasks: Choose the correct name – who is it? (level B2)
- Choose the correct word.
Tips for working with the tasks
Reading tasks are different. Read the text in a way that suits the task.
Targeted reading is important to save time. Read the question and the answer options before you read the text – then you know what to look for in the text. You might not need to read the text very carefully to answer the question. But it is always smart to read the question slowly and carefully.
A reader with very good Norwegian skills can do all the reading tasks in between 10 and 20 minutes. Candidates have 75 minutes to complete the test. Level B2 for reading is the requirement for admission to university or college. If you are not able to finish the reading test within the allotted time, you are not at B2 level, and you would probably struggle with the reading you have to do for a university course.
Practice by reading Norwegian texts
To improve your reading skills, we suggest that you read as much Norwegian as possible. You should read more than just your textbook.
You can, for example, read:
- short messages or instructions (for example at work, at school or at the housing cooperative),
- information you see at the doctor’s, at school or at the grocery store,
- letters/e-mail (both personal and official letters, like the ones you get from the “kommune” (local authorities),
- chat messages / text messages (SMS),
- posts on social medias,
- newspaper articles,
- commercials,
- books.