Bergenstesten – 9 most important questions

Bergenstesten is the dream come true of most people learning Norwegian, the icing on the cake after years of learning. We can assure you that thanks to diligent work and thoughtful preparations – passing it is within reach!

1. What is the Bern Test?

Bergenstesten, also known as Test i norsk – høyere nivå, or “Norwegian language test – advanced level” is a state exam in Norwegian at B2 / C1 level consisting of two separate parts: written and oral. It is the equivalent of the Norwegian Matura exam, it gives the opportunity to study in Norway, it is also required by some employers. Another official Norwegian language examination is Norskprøve, which we write about here.

2. Who should pass this exam?

Bergenstesten should be submitted by people who want to apply for studies in Norway, Norwegian citizens who completed secondary education abroad, as well as those who, for various reasons, need an official confirmation of the knowledge of the Norwegian language at the B2 / C1 level, including people looking for a job in Norway in the professions for which this exam is required (eg medical workers).

3. Where can Bergenstesten be taken?

At the moment, we can take the written test in 14 cities in Norway, and the oral test in six. In Poland, it is possible to take this exam at the University of Gdańsk, details can be found here.

4. When can it be taken?

The written Bergenstesten is organized three times a year and the oral one twice a year. The date of the next test and the deadline for applying can be found here.

5. How much is Bergenstesten?

A written test costs NOK 2390.00, the price of an oral test is NOK 1090.00. The cost of the test taken at the University of Gdańsk is NOK 3,500 plus PLN 200.

6. What are the individual parts of the written Bergenstesten?

The written test consists of 5 parts and lasts a total of approx. 6 hours with a longer break.

1. The first part is Leseforståelse , which is reading comprehension, which in turn is broken down into three shorter parts. We will have to fill in the gaps in the text with selected words and phrases and answer questions for two texts. Time: 60 minutes.
2. The second part is Lytteforståelse , that is listening comprehension – let’s listen, attention! – just one time – 25 short dialogues and messages and we will have to mark one of the three possible answers for each of them. Time: 30 minutes.
3. The third part is Paper , here we will hear the interview recording twice and we will have to summarize it in writing. Time: 60 minutes.
   Break. After the first three parts, there is a break of about an hour, during which we can eat something and gain strength for further work.
4. The fourth part is Grammatikk, ord og uttrykk , that is Grammar, Vocabulary and Phrases, here we get 30 sentence pairs in which you need to complete the sentence B in such a way that its meaning is (almost) same as sentences A. Time: 30 minutes.
5. The last part is Stil , which is an essay. We have two topics to choose from and we have to write about 350 words on the selected one, justifying our opinion. Time: 120 minutes.

7. What does the oral Bergenstesten test look like?

First of all, it is much shorter than the written one, it takes about 30 minutes. During the oral test, we must first briefly introduce ourselves, choose the topic of conversation from among several proposals and express our opinion on the topic justifying our opinion, then we will be asked to describe a few photos. During the exam, the examiner asks the candidate additional questions and conducts an interview. Sometimes we will also be asked to discuss the chart.

8. How do we get exam results and grades?

We receive the results of the written test about 7 weeks after the exam, and the oral test within 14 days of taking the exam at the latest. We can pass this exam with one of two grades: Bestått , Passed – we should get a minimum of 50% in each part or Godt bestått , Well pass, we should get a minimum of at least three parts 80%.

9. How to prepare for Bergenstesten?

1. To prepare for Bergenstesten, we advise you to first take a complete general Norwegian course from A1 to B2, for example a group course in Zoozanko 🙂
2. Only after completing the textbooks recommended for levels A1, A2, B1 and B2, it is worth starting the tasks that will prepare us for this exam. Bergenstesten has its own specifics, so it is worth reworking the available sample tests. This way you can see the nature of the tasks that will be tackled during the exam.
3. It is good to immerse yourself in Norwegian as much as possible, i.e. read Norwegian news and articles to learn more about the language and idioms. It is also worth getting acquainted with the Norwegian language, for example by listening to Norwegian radio and podcasts or watching Norwegian films and TV series.
4. You can also sign up for a group or individual preparation course for such an exam. And here we recommend Zoozanko again 🙂 We will learn about many valuable and practical tips to help you pass the Bergenstesten.

Preparing for Bergenstesten is laborious and time-consuming, and requires patience and persistence. However, we know from experience that it is possible to pass it! Many of our students achieved this goal, which makes us proud and the greatest satisfaction!