NB G5 FI Reading
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The Norwegian Grade 5 foreign-language reading exam (Nasjonale prøver, 5. trinn – lesing engelsk/fremmedspåk) is a national screening test taken by pupils in their fifth year of schooling in Norway. It is designed for classroom teachers and schools as much as for pupils: the results show how well a child reads English as a foreign language and help schools spot pupils who need extra support before lower secondary school. It is a low-stakes test for the individual child - it is not an admissions exam and does not lead to a certificate or grade on a scale.
The exam measures reading comprehension rather than grammar drills. Tasks ask pupils to find and retrieve details from short texts, understand and interpret what they read, reflect on form and content, and show awareness of vocabulary and language in context. Texts are short and varied: notices, messages, simple articles, stories and instructions.
Preparation works best through regular reading of short, interesting English texts and talking about them: what is the text for, who wrote it, what does this word mean here? Practise skimming for a specific detail and explaining an answer in a sentence. The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training (Udir) publishes the current framework, sample tasks and practical information on its website; always check there for the authoritative details.
What you'll study
About NB G5 FI Reading preparation
What is the format of the test?
Expect a digital reading test with a mix of multiple-choice items and short constructed-response tasks where the pupil types or writes a brief answer. Texts are short and varied. The exact item types and interface are set by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training, which publishes current sample materials.
How long is the test, and how many questions are there?
The official body sets and publishes the current duration and number of tasks, and these can change between years. Rather than rely on second-hand figures, check the Directorate's website for this year's practical information. In practice, pupils work through several short texts at their own pace within the session.
How difficult is it?
It is pitched at fifth-year pupils reading English as a foreign language, so vocabulary and sentences are simple and texts are short. Difficulty comes from inference and from explaining answers, not from rare words. Most pupils finish comfortably; the challenge is reading carefully rather than guessing.
Can my child retake the test?
National screening tests are normally taken once in the year they are scheduled. Retake and absence arrangements are decided by the school and the Directorate, not by the pupil. Ask the class teacher or check the Directorate's guidance if a test was missed through illness.
Does the result count towards a grade?
No. The national tests are diagnostic screening tools, not graded exams, and they do not produce a certificate. Results are reported to the school and used to plan teaching and support. They do not affect admission to any school or programme.
What should we practise first?
Start with finding details: give a short text and ask one specific question whose answer is in it. Then move to meaning - why a character acts, what a notice is for - and finally to vocabulary in context. This order matches how the domains are weighted and builds confidence before inference work.
Why do pupils lose marks even when their English is good?
The usual causes are answering from general knowledge instead of the text, misreading a question word such as 'why' or 'not', and writing one word where a full sentence is expected. Practise underlining the part of the text that supports an answer and re-reading the question before writing.
How can parents help at home?
Read short English texts together - labels, instructions, simple news stories - and ask what the text is for and who wrote it. Discuss unfamiliar words in context rather than reaching for a dictionary immediately. Ten minutes of this several times a week is more useful than long cramming sessions.
Where do I find official information?
The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training (Udir) publishes the framework, sample tasks, dates and practical guidance on its website. It is the only authoritative source for current figures and arrangements. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with the Directorate.