Test i norsk - høyere nivå (Advanced Level)

Test i norsk – høyere nivå assesses proficiency in receptive and productive language skills, as well as knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. It represents a standard by which to evaluate the level of proficiency in Norwegian as a second language of foreign citizens wishing to apply for admission to Norwegian universities. It is recognised by every higher education institution in Norway, and by companies requiring their employees to have a certificate indicating an advanced level of proficiency in Norwegian.

The advanced-level test is offered at twelve different places in Norway. The written test can also be organised abroad at embassies and universities on special request. There are six fixed dates a year: three for the written examination and three for the oral. The test is given in Norwegian "bokmål". "Test i norsk - høyere nivå" is partly funded by the University of Bergen and partly by examination fees.

Folkeuniversitetet is in charge of registrations for the examinations, and candidates must register six weeks before the examination. Results are sent to the candidates six weeks after the examination. Mock exams are available.

The Written Test

The test has five components:

Reading

The reading comprehension is intended to test various aspects of candidates’ reading competence at an advanced level.

Listening

The candidates listen to 25-30 short conversations and announcements. Multiple-choice questions test the candidates' comprehension of replies, messages, idioms and intonation patterns.

Structural Competence

Candidates are tested on their knowledge and command of grammar and vocabulary at an advanced level. They are presented with pairs of sentences, labelled "A" and "B". Both have the same meaning, but there is a gap in sentence "B" which the candidates have to fill in.

Summary of a Spoken Text

The candidates are required to combine their listening comprehension and writing skills in writing a summary of an oral presentation, discussion or business interview. They listen to the text twice while taking notes. The summary should be based on certain key words or phrases provided.

Writing

The candidates are required to write an argumentative text of approximately 350 words and can choose between several topics on general subjects.

The Oral Test

The oral test has three parts.
The candidates are tested individually. They are expected to be able to communicate fluently using narrative, explanatory and discursive language. Candidates should be able to display a rich vocabulary and an ability to understand and use idiomatic language.

Before the examination begins the candidates get twenty minutes to read a text. The examination starts with the candidate referring this text without the examinator interrupting (approximately 3-5 minutes), followed by a discussion between candidate and examinator on the content of the text. Finally the candidate is asked to comment upon an image or a graph and answer three questions in relation to this.

The oral test lasts 15 minutes.