If you are going to Sweden on business or applying for a job in Sweden, you can show your language skills to your future employer. Since the levels A1-C2 are internationally standardized for all common languages, this way even personnel managers who have little to do with languages can make an assessment of your language skills.
Students can prove language skills for study stays in Sweden (e.g. for the BaFöG application). And beyond thT: See passing the exam as a sense of achievement for yourself!
Download the current SWEDEX brochure here!
When the exam was developed in 2003, a survey of various European countries found that demand was highest for courses at levels A2 and B1. Therefore, until 2010, there were only exams at these two levels. When more and more interested people asked for an exam on a higher level, the B2 exam was developed in 2011, and since 2018 – due to the increasing demand – there is even an assessment exam on C1 level (for more information see point 4 on this page).
The best way to prepare yourself is by taking a model test. You can do this on your own, in your course/lesson, or through exam preparation at OBS!
We recommend that the model test be carried out
a) with all parts
b) under test conditions and
c) under the guidance of one of our examination officers. This way you can also practice the oral exam (which makes up 40% of the exam!) “live”.
Exam preparation can be done on-site or online and by phone. It consists of one double lesson (90 minutes) with a native speaker teacher. The preparation can also be booked without an exam. The advantage of this is that you can first test out what level you are at and whether you want to take the next possible exam date or use a few lessons as training beforehand.
Please contact us, if you are interested in exam preparation! There you will be advised individually to determine in which areas you need support and to select the appropriate form of preparation as well as a suitable teacher for it.
Here you will find information on prices and registration.
Swedish universities have their own entrance test: TISUS (Test i svenska för universitets- och högskolestudier = Test in Swedish for University and College Studies). The TISUS test is at the C-level of the European Framework Directives. Check with the university of your choice to find out what requirements you need to meet in order to study. Through our collaboration with Stockholm University, you can also take the TISUS exam through OBS! Click here for more information.
For exchange students – under an ERASMUS or SOCRATES program – the TISUS exam is not a requirement for studying in Sweden.
The exam consists of 5 parts:
1. reading comprehension
2. listening comprehension
3. written expression
4. oral expression
Test parts 1-3 are group exams.
The oral examination takes place in an individual interview for A2/B1, B2 /C1 in a pair interview. (In exceptional cases, B2/C1 can also be conducted as an individual interview).
The pure examination time comprises for:
SWEDEX A2/B1 165 minutes = 2 hours 45 minutes
SWEDEX B2/C1 205 minutes = 3 hours 25 minutes
There are also compulsory breaks. Therefore, calculate with 30-60 minutes more in total.
If possible, you should register 5-6 weeks before the exam date. However, late registrations are possible up to 8 days before the exam.
OBS! offers regular exam dates at various locations. You can find out the current dates here.
We guarantee that the exam will take place on the specified dates if you register at least 4 weeks before the exam date! (Exceptions are force majeure, illness of the examiner or other serious reasons.)
OBS! exams at levels A2-C1 are held in the Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Mannheim/Frankfurt, Munich and Bamberg/Erlangen areas.
The examination rooms are usually centrally located, within a 5-15 minute walk from the train station, a subway or S-Bahn station/bus stop, or a parking garage (exception: Hanover).
You will receive directions before the exam.
Exams can also be held in other locations upon request. Please send us an e-mail for this purpose.
Here you can find out the price for the exams.
Yes, the exams at levels A2/B1 and B2/C1 can be repeated as a whole as often as you wish (recommendation: after six months at the earliest in order to catch up on the material).
If you need to achieve a certain level and you only fail one out of the four areas you can retake this area within a six month period in order to complete the certificate.
Examiners cannot examine candidates they have taught during the last 6 months.
No, it is not necessary. However, we do recommend that you do some preparation a) to know what to expect and to practice any weaknesses and b) to be sure of your level.
Aids (dictionaries, etc.) are not allowed during the exam.
Both parts of the exam – written and oral – must be passed with at least 60%. The result is graded for the A2 and B1 level exams as follows:
– passed with distinction (mycket väl godkänd)
– passed with good (väl godkänd)
– passed (godkänd)
For the B2 and C1 exams, there is only a rating of “pass” (godkänd) and “fail” respectively.
After passing the exam, you will receive a certificate by mail with the results achieved. The certificate is issued by the central SWEDEX examination centre in Sweden. On request, the certificate can also be sent by post as a printed document for a fee.
Usually, it takes about 3 weeks until you get the results respectively the certificate.
Simply sign up via our online registration form: