The oral section of the Norskprøven is assessed and graded separately from the written sections — and for most candidates, it is the part that determines whether they meet the requirement for permanent residence (A2) or citizenship (B1). It is also the part people feel least prepared for, because it is harder to practise alone than reading or writing.
This guide explains what the oral exam actually looks like, gives you sample dialogues showing what good responses sound like, covers how you are assessed, the most common mistakes, and a 6-week preparation plan.
Requirements confirmed as of May 2026. For the latest details, check hkdir.no.
In this guide
Format at a Glance: A2 vs B1
The oral exam is conducted one-on-one with a certified examiner, in person or by video. It is recorded. Duration and task complexity differ by level:
A2 Oral
- Duration: 15–20 minutes
- Picture description task
- Practical role play (everyday scenario)
- Personal questions about daily life
- Goal: communicate in routine situations
- Errors OK if meaning stays clear
B1 Oral
- Duration: 20–25 minutes
- Extended picture description / narrative
- Opinion & discussion on a topic
- Problem solving or recommendation task
- Goal: express opinions and handle follow-up
- Can discuss topics beyond personal life
Both levels use a series of short tasks rather than one long conversation. The examiner moves you from task to task — you do not choose the order.
A2 Task Types — With Sample Dialogues
Task 1: Picture description
You are shown a photo and asked to describe what you see. The examiner may ask follow-up questions. You have 30–60 seconds to look at the image before speaking.
Task 2: Role play
You receive a scenario card and must act out the situation with the examiner playing another role. Common scenarios: calling about an appointment, buying something in a shop, explaining a problem, asking for help.
(You are sick and cannot come to work today. Call your boss and explain the situation.)
Task 3: Personal questions
The examiner asks open-ended questions about your life, work, family, or daily routines. These are not trick questions — they are designed to let you demonstrate how much you can say about familiar topics.
B1 Task Types — With Sample Dialogues
Task 1: Extended narrative or description
You may be shown a sequence of 3–4 pictures and asked to tell a story, or given a situation to describe in detail. B1 requires more connected speech — not just naming what you see, but linking events and adding interpretation.
Task 2: Opinion and discussion
The examiner introduces a topic and asks for your view. At B1 you need to give reasons, not just state an opinion. You should be able to respond to a counter-argument.
(Many people think immigrants should learn Norwegian as quickly as possible. What do you think about that?)
Task 3: Problem solving
You are given a scenario and asked to propose a solution, make a recommendation, or plan something with the examiner.
(You and some colleagues are organising a team lunch. You have a budget of 500 kroner per person. What do you suggest?)
How You Are Assessed
Examiners do not count grammar errors. They assess holistically — can you communicate at the target level? Four dimensions are evaluated:
At A2, the bar is: can you handle routine everyday situations in Norwegian? At B1, the bar is: can you express opinions, handle unexpected questions, and sustain a conversation on topics beyond your immediate personal experience?
Useful Exam Phrases
These phrases are worth knowing by heart. They keep the conversation moving when you need thinking time, help you when you do not understand something, and demonstrate communicative competence.
5 Common Mistakes
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Memorising a script
Many candidates memorise prepared phrases and try to use them regardless of what the examiner asks. Examiners are trained to spot this — they will ask follow-up questions that force you off script. Memorised opening lines are useful, but cannot substitute for genuine communicative ability. Prepare flexible responses, not fixed texts.
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Giving minimal answers
If the examiner asks "Hva liker du å gjøre i helgene?" and you say only "Jeg liker å gå tur," you have answered the question but shown very little language. Always expand: add where, when, with whom, why, how often. Jeg liker å gå tur i skogen — jeg prøver å gå minst en gang i uken, gjerne om morgenen når det er stille.
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Stopping when you do not know a word
Not knowing a word does not mean you cannot communicate. Describe it instead: if you do not know utleier (landlord), say personen som eier leiligheten min (the person who owns my apartment). This strategy is accepted at every level and actually demonstrates communicative competence.
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Not asking for clarification
If you do not understand the examiner's question, ask them to repeat or rephrase it. This is not a failure — it is evidence of communicative competence. Guessing and answering the wrong question is far worse than saying Beklager, kan du si det på en annen måte?
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Rushing under stress
Under exam pressure, most people speak faster than they would normally. Faster speech usually means more errors and harder-to-understand pronunciation. Consciously aim to speak at 80% of your normal speed. Slow and clear beats fast and garbled every time.
6-Week Preparation Plan
This plan assumes you are already at roughly A2 level and targeting A2 or B1 oral. Adjust the intensity based on your current level and exam date.
Speak Norwegian aloud every day for 10–15 minutes — describe what you see, narrate what you are doing, talk to yourself. Use NorwegianClass101 audio dialogues to hear natural spoken Norwegian and repeat after the speakers. Goal: speaking Norwegian daily becomes normal.
Find 10 different photos (people, places, events) and practise describing each one for 90 seconds without stopping. Record yourself on your phone. Listen back and note: vocabulary gaps, moments you stopped, pronunciation issues. Do this three times per week.
Write 10 scenario cards (doctor appointment, calling a landlord, explaining a problem at work) and 10 personal question cards. Shuffle them, pick one at random, and respond immediately — no preparation time. This replicates exam conditions. For B1: add opinion topics (remote work, housing prices, learning Norwegian).
Book 2–3 sessions with a Norwegian tutor who can run a full mock oral exam. Ask for honest feedback on which tasks you handled well and which you need to improve. Use iTalki to find tutors who specifically offer Norskprøven oral preparation.
Review your weak areas from mock exams. Practise the exam phrases until they come automatically. Do a final mock exam in the week before your test date. Stop heavy preparation 2 days before — rest is as important as last-minute practice.
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On the Day
Arrive early and give yourself time to settle. The oral exam is stressful for almost everyone — the examiner knows this. Take a breath before each task. Speak at a pace that feels slightly slower than natural to you.
If you make an error and notice it, you can correct yourself: Jeg gikk — nei, jeg dro til Bergen i fjor. Self-correction is a positive sign of language awareness, not a penalty.
At the end of each task, the examiner will move you on. Do not worry about whether you said everything you wanted to — focus on the next task. Each task is a fresh start.
If the examiner asks a follow-up question you are not sure about, that is normal — it does not necessarily mean your first answer was wrong. Examiners ask follow-ups to give you more opportunity to show your language, not because you made an error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do I need for permanent residence vs citizenship?
For permanent residence (since September 2025), you need to pass the Norskprøven at A2 oral level. For citizenship, you need B1 oral. The written sections are graded separately — you can pass oral at A2 and written at a different level. See our language requirements guide for full details.
Can I take the A2 oral exam in English if I do not understand something?
No. The oral exam is conducted entirely in Norwegian. The examiner will not switch to English. This is why practising the clarification phrases (Kan du gjenta?, Kan du si det på en annen måte?) is so important — they give you a legitimate way to handle moments when you do not understand, without breaking the flow of the exam.
Is the exam recorded? Who sees the recording?
Yes, the oral exam is recorded. The recording may be reviewed by a second assessor to ensure consistent grading. It is not made public. The recording is used to support quality assurance in grading — having your answer reviewed by a second assessor is a safeguard for you, not a disadvantage.
What if I have a strong foreign accent? Will that affect my result?
A foreign accent alone does not affect your result. Examiners assess whether you can communicate effectively — not whether you sound Norwegian. What matters is whether your pronunciation makes words genuinely difficult to understand. The sounds most commonly mispronounced by English speakers are æ, ø, å, and the Norwegian r — practise these specifically. See our pronunciation guide.
Can I use notes during the oral exam?
No. The oral exam does not permit notes. This is one reason why the exam phrases in this guide should be memorised rather than written down — you need them available automatically, not on a piece of paper.
How soon can I retake if I fail?
You can register to retake the Norskprøven at the next available sitting at prøvebooking.no. Exams typically run several times per year. The oral section can be retaken independently of the written sections — you do not need to redo parts you have already passed. Check the current schedule and fees at hkdir.no.
What is the difference between the oral exam at a test centre vs by video?
The content and assessment criteria are identical. By video, you will need a stable internet connection, a working camera and microphone, and a quiet space. By video, examiners understand that minor technical interruptions can occur — inform the examiner immediately if there is a problem. Many candidates find video slightly less stressful because they are in a familiar environment.