Norskprøve 2 (Level A2) and Norskprøve 3 (Level B1)

NB! Språkprøven was organized for the last time in June 2005.

A new curriculum was introduced in September 2005 and two new official tests have been developed:

Norskprøve 2 for voksne innvandrere (Level A2) and
Norskprøve 3 for voksne innvandrere (Level B1).

A test at Level A1 has been developed as well. Norskprøve 1 for voksne innvandrere (Level A1) is to be used exclusively within the language centres.

The tests Norskprøve 2 and Norskprøve 3 will be arranged for the first time in December 2005.

Norskprøve 2 and Norskprøve 3 will be offered at more than 50 teaching institutions throughout Norway. The examinations are held at fixed dates three times a year. The tests are available in both Norwegian written forms ("bokmål" and "nynorsk"). Norskprøve 2 and Norskprøve 3, (and also Norskprøve 1, a diagnostic test), are funded by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Folkeuniversitetet is in charge of registrations for the examinations, and candidates must register six weeks before the examination. Results are sent directly to the candidates within five weeks after the examinations. Mock exams are available at level A2 (Norskprøve 2) and level B1 (Norskprøve 3).

NORWEGIAN TEST 2 FOR ADULT IMMIGRANTS (LEVEL A2)

General information about Test 2

Norwegian Test 2 for Adult Immigrants is a final test at A2 level, which qualifies the candidate for a certificate. Norwegian Test 2 measures language skills at the basic level (A2), and has two parts: speaking and writing. The speaking and writing parts of the test can be taken separately. In the speaking part, the candidate tells about something and participates in a conversation. In the writing part there are tests of reading, listening and writing skills. In order for a candidate to be placed at A2 level, s/he must perform at that level in the component skills for writing or speaking. Norwegian Test 2 measures the candidate’s ability to understand and use common words and expressions associated with aspects of daily life. Dictionaries and other reference books are not allowed on the test. The test is marked using a correction key and evaluation form that have been developed by Norsk Språktest. The writing part is marked centrally, while the speaking part is evaluated at the test center.

Norwegian Test 2 – Writing

Norwegian Test 2 – writing measures the candidate’s skills in reading, listening and writing.

Listening test

The listening test measures listening skills at the basic level. It measures the candidate’s ability to understand simple information about familiar topics and to apprehend the main points in short, simple messages and announcements when enunciation is clear.

The listening test consists of a number of short conversations and messages related to situations that are of immediate relevance or familiar, such as personal relationships, shopping, transport, work and the immediate environment. The tasks give the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate his/her ability to comprehend the main point and some details in clear, simple messages and announcements, and to identify the theme in conversations. The language is simple and clear, and each listening text is played twice.

For each listening text, there is a written question. The question is read aloud on the CD before the listening text is played. The candidate answers by marking the correct answer, writing a short answer, etc.

Reading test

The reading test measures reading skills at the basic level. It measures the candidate’s ability to read and understand the main point and some specific information in very short, simple texts.

The reading test consists of short, simple reading texts. For example, these may be informative texts such as advertisements, announcements, brochures, notices, menus, instruction manuals and timetables, as well as other simple written texts such as personal letters, short factual texts, or short newspaper items.

The tasks give the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate his/her ability to comprehend the main point and some details in the texts.

There are some written questions for each reading text. The candidate answers by marking the correct answer, writing a short answer, etc.

Writing test

The writing test measures writing skills at the basic level. It measures the candidate’s ability to write very short, simple texts relating to the most important aspects of everyday life.

The writing test consists of two tasks. In the first task, the candidate is asked to write a short message or announcement. In the second task, the candidate is asked to write, for example, a short narrative, a description or a personal letter.

Norwegian Test 2 – Speaking

Norwegian Test 2 – speaking measures oral production and interaction at the basic level. It measures the candidate’s ability to participate in a simple conversation related to familiar, personal and everyday topics, and to tell something about themselves, their family, their background, etc.

The speaking test consists of three tasks. Tasks A and C are individual tasks. In these, the candidate introduces himself/herself and tells something about, for example, his/her personal background, family, interests, education, personal experiences. Task B measures the candidate’s ability to handle a social exchange. In this task the candidate converses with another candidate (or two). The task gives the candidates the opportunity to demonstrate that they can carry on a conversation about everyday activities, exchange simple information, state likes and dislikes, and generally contribute to sustaining the interaction.

NORWEGIAN TEST 3 FOR ADULT IMMIGRANTS (LEVEL B1)

General information about Test 3

Norwegian Test 3 for Adult Immigrants is a final test at B1 level, which qualifies the candidate for a certificate. Norwegian Test 3 measures language skills at the intermediate level (B1), and has two parts: speaking and writing. The speaking and writing parts of the test can be taken separately. In the speaking part, the candidate tells about something and participates in a conversation. In the writing part there are tests of reading, listening and writing skills. In order for a candidate to be placed at B1 level, s/he must perform at that level in the component skills for writing or speaking. Norwegian Test 3 measures the candidate’s ability to use language in an independent manner; the candidate is able to understand clear text and talk about familiar topics, as well as to produce understandable written and spoken texts. Dictionaries and other reference books are not allowed on the test. The test is marked using a correction key and evaluation form that have been developed by Norsk Språktest. The writing part is marked centrally, while the speaking part is evaluated at the test center.

Norwegian Test 3 – Writing

Norwegian Test 3 – writing measures the candidate’s skills in reading, listening and writing.

Listening test

The listening test measures listening skills at the intermediate level. It measures the candidate’s ability to understand the main points and details in clear, moderated monologues on familiar topics, and the main points and details in shorter recordings.

The listening test consists of a number of short conversations and messages about familiar topics related to work, school, home and spare time. The tasks give the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate his/her ability to comprehend the main point and specific details in spoken texts on familiar themes and current issues when the language is clear and moderated. Each listening text is played twice.

For each listening text, there is a written question. The candidate answers by marking the correct answer, writing a short answer, etc.

Reading test

The reading test measures reading skills at the intermediate level. It measures the candidate’s ability to understand the main point and find specific information in texts on familiar topics when the language is clear and direct, and the content is well-structured.

The reading test consists of several shorter and longer reading texts. These may be, for example, personal and official letters, brochures, notices, newspaper articles, literary texts and factual texts. The tasks give the candidates the opportunity to demonstrate, for example, his/her ability to understand the main point and specific information in the texts.

There are some written questions for each reading text. The candidate answers by marking the correct answer, writing a short answer, etc.

Writing test

The writing test measures writing skills at the intermediate level. It measures the candidate’s ability to write simple, coherent texts on familiar topics and topics of personal interest.

The writing test consists of two tasks. In the first task, the candidate is asked to express his/her opinion on an issue and to state the reason and/or explain. In the second task, the candidate is asked to write a longer narrative.

Norwegian Test 3 – Speaking

Norwegian Test 3 – speaking measures oral production and interaction at the intermediate level. It measures the candidate’s ability to make a simple, coherent presentation on a familiar topic and/or a topic of personal interest, and to participate actively in and sustain a conversation on everyday topics.

The speaking test consists of three tasks. Tasks A and C measure the candidate’s ability to participate in a conversation, while task B is an individual task. Tasks A and C give the candidates the opportunity to demonstrate that they can initiate, sustain and close a conversation, and that they can express their personal views and opinions, as well as encourage their partner, ask for explanations and restart the conversation following a silence. Task B gives the candidate an opportunity to demonstrate that s/he can describe personal experiences and plans, for example, as well as tell a story or provide a brief explanation of opinions, actions and plans.