What is Prøve i Dansk 3?
Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) is Denmark's official B2-level Danish language exam, administered by SIRI — Styrelsen for International Rekruttering og Integration. It is the highest level in the Prøve i Dansk series and is referenced in a range of residency, citizenship, and higher education requirements — check nyidanmark.dk for what currently applies to your situation.
At B2, PD3 tests your ability to understand complex written texts on a range of topics, produce structured and nuanced writing, and hold an extended conversation including abstract topics and argumentation in Danish.
PD2 vs PD3 — key differences
If you are deciding which exam to prepare for, or have already passed PD2 and are now working towards PD3, here is how the two compare:
Exam structure (Prøvestruktur)
Sample questions
Reading — multiple choice example (Opgave 2)
The entire reading exam is in Danish. You read the text, then answer 3 multiple-choice questions about it.
Flere kommuner har de seneste år investeret massivt i cykelveje, men forskning viser, at det ikke nødvendigvis fører til, at flere vælger cyklen. Eksperterne peger på, at infrastruktur alene ikke er nok — kulturen og vanen spiller en mindst lige så stor rolle.
Text 2 — excerpt from a newspaper article: Several municipalities have invested heavily in cycle lanes, but research shows this does not necessarily lead to more people cycling. Experts point out that infrastructure alone is not enough — culture and habit play an equally important role.
Hvad er artiklens hovedpointe?
A. At kommunerne bruger for mange penge på cykelveje.
B. At infrastruktur alene ikke er tilstrækkeligt.
C. At kulturen er vigtigere end infrastrukturen.
What is the article's main point? A. Municipalities spend too much on cycle lanes. B. Infrastructure alone is not enough. C. Culture is more important than infrastructure.
✓ B — artiklen siger, at infrastruktur "ikke er nok", og nævner kultur som "mindst lige så stor" faktor / the article says infrastructure is "not enough" and names culture as "an equally important" factor
PD3 questions test implicit argument, not just facts. Option C is a tempting trap — the article says culture is equally important, not more important.
Writing — essay task example (Opgave B)
Both writing tasks are given in Danish. You choose Task A (diagram + analysis) or Task B (personal angle + argumentation). Minimum 200 words.
Skriv et debatindlæg til en dansk avis om sociale medier og unge. Tag stilling til, om sociale medier har en positiv eller negativ indflydelse på unge menneskers trivsel. Skriv mindst 200 ord.
Write a debate piece for a Danish newspaper about social media and young people. Take a position on whether social media has a positive or negative impact on young people's wellbeing. Write at least 200 words.
Your text must have a clear position, at least two arguments, acknowledgement of a counter-argument, and a conclusion. The Bestå app grades your essay against PD3 marking criteria — structure, argumentation, grammar, vocabulary range, and coherence.
Speaking — prepared presentation example (Del 1)
You receive your topic one week before the exam. On exam day you give a 2-minute presentation, then the examiner asks follow-up questions.
Emne: Det danske sundhedsvæsen
Forbered en præsentation om det danske sundhedsvæsen. Du kan fx tale om: ventetider, gratis behandling, ulighed i sundhed eller fremtidige udfordringer.
Topic: The Danish healthcare system. Prepare a presentation on the Danish healthcare system. You can for example talk about: waiting times, free treatment, health inequality, or future challenges.
After your presentation the examiner follows up with questions — "Hvad mener du er den største udfordring?" (What do you think is the biggest challenge?). In Bestå, the AI Censor simulates exactly this follow-up conversation so you practise responding to unexpected angles on your topic.
Scoring (Bedømmelse)
Each part is graded on the Danish 7-point scale (7-trinsskalaen): 12, 10, 7, 4, 02, 00, and -3. To pass PD3 you need a weighted average of at least 2.0. As with PD2, oral communication counts double in this calculation — making it the most important part of the exam.
Automatically marked
Marked by censor
Marked by examiner
Registration & dates (Tilmelding og datoer)
PD3 is offered year-round at language schools (sprogskoler) and authorised exam centres across Denmark. Registration is handled through your local school, not centrally.
If you are enrolled in Danskuddannelse 3 (DU3) — the most advanced publicly funded Danish language course — your school will typically arrange PD3 registration for you. If you are self-studying, you can register directly with an exam centre.
Official resources
Preparation tips for PD3
- Read Danish news daily. DR.dk, Politiken, and Berlingske publish articles at exactly the register PD3 tests. Aim for 15 minutes of active reading per day — not just skimming.
- Build your argumentation vocabulary. Learn connectors: til gengæld, på den ene side… på den anden side, det kan dog indvendes at, ikke desto mindre. These lift your writing score significantly.
- For Task B writing: use a fixed structure — position statement → argument 1 → argument 2 → counter-argument → conclusion. Markers reward predictable clarity over creative structure.
- For the speaking presentation: practice moving from description (what you see) → interpretation (what it represents) → broader context (the societal issue). Three clear layers, ~1 minute each.
- Prepare 6–8 "topic clusters" for the discussion: healthcare, environment, immigration, education, work culture, technology, welfare state, urban vs rural Denmark. The examiner will pick related threads from your presentation.
- Build reading speed. 31 items across 4 tasks in 90 minutes is tight — especially Task 1 which gives you only 25 minutes for 15 questions. Practise reading exercises consistently — the Bestå app has exercises modelled on the same structure as PD3 exam tasks, with answer explanations.
Practice for PD3 — free
PD3-format reading exercises, AI feedback on argumentative writing, and an oral exam simulator with examiner follow-up questions.
Free on iOS & Android
Frequently asked questions
Is PD3 required for Danish citizenship or residency?
Language requirements for residency permits and citizenship change over time and depend on your specific situation. Rather than state specifics here that may be out of date, check nyidanmark.dk for the current rules that apply to you.
How long does it take to reach PD3 level from PD2?
Moving from B1 (PD2) to B2 (PD3) typically takes 1–2 years with consistent study, depending on how much Danish you use daily. Formal language school courses, immersive practice, and targeted exam preparation all accelerate progress.
Can I retake individual parts of PD3?
Yes. You only need to retake parts you have not passed. Your other results remain valid. Check with your exam centre for their retake scheduling policy.
How much does PD3 cost?
Fees vary by provider. If you are enrolled in Danskuddannelse 3, the exam is often subsidised or free. Self-funded candidates pay the exam fee directly to the centre. Contact your sprogskole for current pricing.
Where can I find official PD3 past papers as PDF?
Official past papers are published by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Research. The Bestå app contains the same question types in interactive format with answers and AI explanations.
I have already passed PD2 — do I need to redo anything?
No. PD3 is a separate exam and your PD2 results are independent. You simply register for and take PD3 — you do not need to retake PD2 parts.