NorskGrammatikk logo Norskgrammatikk
EN

B2 · C1

Bergenstesten – the Test in Norwegian, Higher Level

Bergenstesten is the best-known test for adults who need to prove Norwegian at B2 or C1 level. Here you will find how the test is built today, who needs it, how to sign up – and practice tasks in reading, writing and speaking.

Practise for the test

Reading

Writing

Speaking

What is Bergenstesten?

The official name is «Test i norsk – høyere nivå» (Test in Norwegian – Higher Level). It was developed at the University of Bergen, hence the nickname, and today it is run by Folkeuniversitetet (Norsk språktest). It measures Norwegian at levels B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework.

The test has two separate parts: a written test and an oral test. You can take them independently, but most people applying for university need both. Don't confuse it with Norskprøven from HK-dir, which is a different test (A1–B2, and now also a separate C1 test).

Who needs the test?

The most common reason is university admission. Samordna opptak (the national admissions service) accepts Bergenstesten as proof of the Norwegian requirement when you have «Bestått» (Passed) on both the written and the oral test. Universities such as UiB and UiO refer to the same rules. Some programmes, for example teacher training, may have extra requirements – always check the programme you apply for.

The test is also used for employers, for instance in healthcare, schools and public administration, and Folkeuniversitetet states that it is accepted in applications to UDI for permanent residence and citizenship. UDI's rules change from time to time, so read the latest on udi.no before signing up for that reason alone.

The parts of the test

The written test is digital and takes about 5.5 hours. It has five sub-tests: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, summary («referat» – retelling a text in your own words), grammar, vocabulary and expressions, and written production (a longer text). You must pass all five. Bring your own PC (Windows, not Mac or Chromebook) and wired headphones.

The oral test takes about 20 minutes with an examiner. It consists of a short presentation of yourself, a picture description, giving your opinion on a statement, and a conversation with the examiner. The format can be adjusted, so read the description on folkeuniversitetet.no before you start practising.

Results: what do B2 and C1 mean?

The result is «Ikke bestått» (Not passed), «Bestått» (Passed) or «Godt bestått» (Passed with distinction). Passed corresponds to B2; Passed with distinction shows C1 skills. In the written test you must pass every sub-test, and you need «Godt bestått» in at least three of them to get it overall. The old points system (450/500) only applies to tests taken before autumn 2009. Written results arrive about five weeks after the test, oral results about one week after.

B2 means you understand the main content of complex texts, speak fluently enough that conversation is not a strain, and can argue for and against. C1 means you also grasp what is not said directly, express yourself without searching for words and write well-structured texts with varied sentence patterns. The certificate itself has no expiry date, but some employers and institutions may ask for recent proof.

Registration, dates and test centres

You register on folkeuniversitetet.no (search for «Bergenstesten»). The test runs only a few times a year – in 2026 there were written sessions in August and November, with another round in January 2027. The written and oral tests are usually on two consecutive days. Places can fill up, so register well before your university application deadline.

The test is held in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. Abroad you can take it if an approved venue, for example an embassy or the Norwegian Seamen's Church, agrees to host it. Prices, deadlines and exact dates change, so always check folkeuniversitetet.no. Once you have taken the whole test, you may later re-sit only the sub-tests you failed.

How to prepare: an 8-week plan

Weeks 1–2: Map your level. Read one longer newspaper article a day (Aftenposten, NRK, forskning.no) and write a 120-word summary. Consider buying the sample test from Folkeuniversitetet. Weeks 3–4: Grammar and vocabulary – word order (inversion, subordinate clauses), prepositions and fixed expressions. Build your own list of linking words like «derimot», «likevel», «med andre ord».

Weeks 5–6: Write two longer texts a week under time pressure (discussion essay, opinion piece, formal email, graph description) and get them corrected. Listen to NRK podcasts and note the main points. Weeks 7–8: Do a full timed test at least once, and practise speaking aloud – ideally recording yourself. Present yourself in two minutes, describe pictures and take a stand on statements.

Typical mistakes

The classic mistake is word order: «I dag jeg skal» instead of «I dag skal jeg», and «fordi han har ikke tid» instead of «fordi han ikke har tid». Other repeat offenders are wrong noun gender, «en/et» in fixed expressions, and prepositions like «interessert i», «fornøyd med» and «avhengig av».

In the writing tasks many lose marks because they don't answer what the task asks, write without paragraphs or use the same linking word again and again. In the summary, a common mistake is adding your own opinions or copying whole sentences. In the oral test many lose points by reciting memorised texts – the examiner notices immediately.

Exam-day tips

Check your PC the day before: charge it, update Windows and test your headphones. Bring valid ID, water and something to eat – it is a long day. Read the whole task before you start and plan your time: keep the last ten minutes for proofreading verb forms, word order and gender.

In the oral test it is perfectly fine to ask the examiner to repeat a question («Unnskyld, kan du si det en gang til?»). Buy thinking time with phrases like «Det er et godt spørsmål …». Back up your opinions with examples from your own life – it sounds natural and shows vocabulary.

Sources and official information