How to Pass the Norskprøve! !! Starting in 2014, the Norskprøve 2 and Norskprøve 3 exams are being replaced by a new, single exam called Norskprøve. ! ! What is the Norskprøve Exam?! ! The Norskprøve has to be taken by anyone who is obliged to taking Norwegian courses. Anybody else can take the exam, but it is not a requirement. ! Every kommune (municipality) offers the exam and you can check the results on the statistics database at vox.no. The certificate can be used for educational purposes, job applications or to apply for a permanent residence permit or citizenship. A lot of employers see the Norskprøve as evidence that the language skill of someone is sufficient enough to work with Norwegians. The first attempt at taking the exam is free, if you have been accepted to the obligatory Norwegian courses provided by the municipalities. ! The Norskprøve result can be either an A1, A2 or a B1, and from 2015, also a B2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. You cannot “pass“ or “fail“; the result will simply be the language level you have achieved. If you are not happy with the result, you can take the test again, or even parts of the test. ! The two different parts, oral and written exam, can be taken independently of each other. While the oral exam asks you to speak and converse (two candidates are examined together), the written test consists of (1) listening comprehension, (2) reading comprehension and (3) writing tasks. The listening and reading comprehension are now done digitally and graded automatically. The written exam (text) is also written on the computer and then sent to the examiner. ! Dictionaries and other means of support are not allowed during the exam. The written exam is graded centrally, while the oral part is graded by the local staff. ! Any candidate who took the Norskopplæring (obligatory Norwegian courses) after September 1st, 2013 has to take the new Norskprøve. The first possible dates are: Summer exams: May 26th – 30th or June 2nd – 6th Winter exams: December 1st – 5th ! The differences between the old and new Norskprøve are: • Two parts (listening and reading comprehension) are examined digitally. • The old exam was at a level A2, the new results can now be an A1, A2 or a B1, and from 2015, also a B2. • There will be one test for listening and reading (a pre-test will lead you to the ! right level), but for the written test you will have to choose between two different ones: A1-A2 or A2-B1. For the oral test, there will also be two different tests, one that measures an A1-A2 level and one that measures an A2-B1 level. How to Prepare for the Exam! ! ! Listening comprehension (lytteprøve) ! Possible topics for the written and digital listening exam can be about work, school, home or leisure time. After you take the pre-test there are two different tests: one measures A1-A2 level with keywords and main topics that you should know, the other one measures A2-B1 level, connections within the text and the understanding of the whole topic. ! The tasks can be as follows: • Click on a picture (klikk i bilde) You will listen to a short piece of information, e.g. „Click on the boy sitting on the bench“. • Choose a picture (velg bilde) You will see four pictures. One of them is described to you. You click on the correct one. • Multiple choice (flervalgsoppgaver) You will see a question with four possible answers. Then you will listen to a short description of the topic and will click on the correct alternative. • Move a picture (flytt bilde) You will see 6-7 fields with tasks a person has to do during the day. Then you will listen to this person talk about what he/she does during the day, and you will sort the fields into the correct order. • Blank (lukeoppgaver) You will see 6-8 questions with four alternative answers to each. You will then listen to a longer text (about 90 seconds) and will match the right alternatives. ! Tips: • You have to listen to the texts twice, before you can answer the questions. • Read the tasks and possible answers BEFORE you listen to the people talking. Then you will already know what you have to concentrate on while listening. • You can skip tasks and go back and forth within the questions, so if you are not sure about something, just skip it and go back to it later. Don’t forget to check to make sure you have an answer for every question before you click on “submit”. • When you have to put the fields in the correct order, you only listen to the text once, so read the sentences first and try to remember who said what. You can start moving the sentences immediately after you hear the text. ! !! Reading comprehension (leseprøve) ! There will again be two tests, one at A1-A2 and one at A2-B1 with more difficult questions. A short pre-test will lead you to the correct one. ! The tasks are as follows: • Click on a picture (klikk i bilde) Like in the listening comprehension, you will just have to read the text, not listen to it. • Choose a picture (velg bilde) Like in the listening comprehension. • Choose a text (velg tekst) You will see four short texts and an instruction / picture. The instruction / picture will only match one of the texts. • Multiple choice (flervalgsoppgaver) Like in the listening comprehension. • Click on a word (klikk på ord) There is a short text. You will get questions, e.g. “Which word means the same as ‘reise‘?“ Then you will click on the word in the text which means the same as “reise“. ! At the A2 / B1 level, there will be two additional kinds of tasks: • Click on a name (klikk på navn) You will read a longer text and get one question, e.g. “Who will go on vacation soon“? You will click on the correct name in the text. • Move a paragraph (flytt avsnitt) You will get a longer text which is divided into several paragraphs. You have to put these paragraphs into the correct order. ! Tips: • Try to find different genres and find their characteristics: What is the language of a newspaper article like? How does a SMS change the language? What is a typical review of a book like? Being prepared for different genres could help you to be calm and confident. • Read the answers before you read the texts, some are easier to understand when read. • If you have problems understanding the timeline or combination of people in the text, draw a ‘mind map’ for yourself. ! ! Writing exam (skriveprøve) ! There are three tasks: • Describe a picture. (beskrive et bilde) You will be asked to describe a large picture, what the people in the picture are doing and so on. • Relate. You will have to write a longer text about a known subject. • Write a message. (skrive en melding; only A1 / A2 level) e.g. an SMS, invitation, etc. • Express your own opinion. (uttrykke egne meninger; only A2 / B1 level) You will be presented with a problem and you will have to write about your opinion on this problem. ! Tips: • Start by writing a list for yourself with key words and arguments you want to use. • Write the complete essay and try not to go back through it until you have finished. Afterwards you try to think of typical mistakes you might have made (e.g. -r in present tense, sentence order) and check both texts and correct the mistakes. ! ! Oral exam (muntlig prøve) ! An examiner will lead you through the oral exam while an evaluator will judge and grade your presentation. The most important aspect is that you will talk actively (even if you make mistakes). The exam consists of three parts, with one discussion and two individual questions, usually with a topic that you worked on during the Norwegian class. Don’t be shy, the point here is to show that you can begin and lead a conversation in general as well as show your opinion and views on the topics, especially in the discussion. ! The tasks are as follows: • Individual Task 1 - Talk / Describe (fortelle / beskrive) At A1 / A2 level, you will be asked to talk a little about yourself (2-3 min.). At A2 / B1 level you will be asked to talk about a given topic, e.g. personal plans (2-3 min.). • Individual Task 2 - Describe a picture / express your opinion (beskrive bilder / uttrykke meninger) At A1 / A2 level, you will be asked to describe a few pictures. • At A2 / B1 level you will have to give your opinion about a given topic, including the reason for your opinion (2-3 min). • Dialogue. (samtale) You will have to talk to the other candidate who is taking the exam with you. • At A1 / A2 level, you will be asked to talk about a given topic taken from everyday life (2-3 min). • At A2 / B1 level, you will be asked to have a discussion and exchange your opinions (5-7 min). ! Tips: • Prepare phrases and expressions you need to begin a discussion, link arguments, to ask the second candidate etc. • Work on your pronunciation - a whole lot. It can cover defaults in grammar and vocabulary. • Start thinking in Norwegian in everyday life (talk to yourself while cooking, walking or driving around, say what you are doing in Norwegian). • Try to talk to Norwegian friends as much as possible. ! ! General Tips for all Exam Types ! • Listen to news programmes on the radio or watch TV shows, especially the news • • ! (e.g. on nrk.no) to train your listening skills, knowledge, and argumentation skills. Ask your Norwegian teacher to show you an example exam and note the time while you are taking the exam. You shouldn’t take longer than 20-25 minutes for the listening and reading comprehension. Try to find ways to train your oral skills: find a tandem-partner, search for a learning or discussion group at the institution where you did your Norwegian courses etc. More Information! http://www.vox.no/Norsk-og-samfunnskunnskap/Norskprove/ ! Example Tests! http://www.vox.no/Norsk-og-samfunnskunnskap/Norskprove/#Omprven_5 !! How Skapago Can Help You! ! At Skapago, we can prepare an individual course for the Norskprøve with experienced teachers. These are taught through Skype / virtual classrooms, so you can participate wherever you are. Schedule a free demo lesson at www.skapago.eu ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Good luck with the Norskprøve! (c) Skapago Online Language School For information about our courses, see www.skapago.eu ! We make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this brochure. The advice herein may not be suitable for your situation, and we cannot guarantee that you will pass the exam if you follow our advice. You should consult with a professional where appropriate.