Foreldrebrosjyre nasjonale prøver (engelsk)

What are the national tests, and why do we have them?

The national tests are designed to assess the extent to which the school has succeeded in developing the basic skills of pupils in reading and mathematics and in parts of the English subject.

The curriculum defines the basic skills as:

• being able to express oneself orally
• being able to express oneself in writing
• being able to read
• having the ability to use mathematics
• being able to use digital tools

These skills are important for learning and development in all subjects and have major impact on how pupils cope with school and life in general.

The mathematics and reading tests are not tests in the subjects of Norwegian and mathematics, but rather in reading and mathematics as basic skills across all subjects. The English tests are connected to the competence aims in only one subject – English – and the tasks focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar.

The intention is that the school will use the information from the tests together with other information about the pupils. The aim of the tests is to promote each pupil’s development in cooperation between the teacher, the pupil and the parents.

The results of the tests will provide information that the schools, local authorities and central authorities can use in their efforts to improve the quality of the education and training.

Who gives the tests, and which tests must the pupils take?

The national tests are given in Year 5, Year 8 and Year 9. The general rule is that the tests are obligatory for all pupils. The right to grant exemptions is limited, cf. the Regulations for the Education Act. 

Exemption may be granted

• to pupils with the right to special education or with the right to special language instruction,

and

• when it is also clear that the tests will not have any real effect on the education and training.

Even if a pupil has the right to an exemption, he or she or his/her parents may decide that the pupil shall still take the test. 

Pupils in Year 5 and Year 8 must take the national tests in reading, mathematics and English.

Pupils in Year 9 must take the national tests in reading and mathematics. These tests are the same as those given in Year 8.

The tests in English and mathematics are electronic tests. The reading tests are given on paper.

What type of tasks do the pupils answer?

The tests consist of multiple choice tasks and open tasks. Pupils answer the open tasks in their own words or by using numbers, whereas the multiple choice tasks are answered by choosing one of several alternatives.

The results of the tests shall provide information about the pupils on all skill levels. For this reason, there are easy, medium and difficult tasks.

At www.udir.no you can find examples of the type of tasks used in the national tests. Here you will also find electronic tests in English and mathematics that have been given in earlier years.

Who has access to the results?

The pupil and the parents will receive feedback from the teacher when the results of the tests are available.

The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training does not publicly list school results. Results for municipalities and counties will be published at: www.skoleporten.udir.no.

The results of each school will be available to the head of the school and the school owner (local authority), and are to be used in the efforts to improve the quality of the education and training.

Teachers and the school are under the obligation of secrecy when it comes to the results of individual pupils.

Do you have any questions?

Contact your school.

Read more at: www.udir.no/nasjonaleprover.

The tests will be given between week 37 and week 45.

Pupils who are unable to take a national test on a stipulated test day must be given the opportunity to take the test on a later date.

The test time for reading and mathematics is 90 minutes, while the test time for English is 60 minutes.