Danish Exam PD3 (Prøve i Dansk 3) is one of the key language tests for anyone planning long-term life or work in Denmark. It is generally required for Danish citizenship and for several regulated professions, and it counts towards permanent residence. This guide gives you a clear overview so you know what will happen on the exam day.
The exam is held twice a year. The written parts usually take place in May and November, and the oral exams in June and December. It consists of three parts: oral, written and reading. All of them test how you use Danish in real situations.
PD3 at a Glance
| Level | CEFR B2 (upper intermediate) |
|---|---|
| Parts | Reading (90 min), written (2½ hours), oral (about 10 min) |
| Pass mark | Average of at least 2.0 on the 7-point scale, with oral counting double |
| When | Twice a year: written in May and November, oral in June and December |
| Needed for | Citizenship, authorisation for non-EU nurses and doctors, and many professional jobs |
Who Needs PD3?
- Applicants for Danish citizenship (some long-term self-supporting applicants only need Prøve i Dansk 2) – who also need to pass the citizenship test (indfødsretsprøven)
- Nurses and doctors educated outside the EU/EEA who want Danish authorisation
- Applicants for permanent residence who want to meet the extra PD3 condition (Prøve i Dansk 2 is the basic requirement)
- Anyone who needs an official B2 Danish certificate
How the PD3 Exam Is Structured
PD3 includes three sections: Oral, Written and Reading.
1. Oral Exam
The oral exam lasts around ten minutes, in two parts of about five minutes each. You receive the topic for the first part one week before the test so you can prepare. You complete two tasks during the exam:
- Part 1: A two-minute presentation of your prepared topic, followed by questions from the examiner.
- Part 2: You draw one of three topics and answer the examiner's questions about it, without preparation time.
2. Written Exam
The written section lasts 2½ hours in total for two tasks. Task 2 must be at least 200 words, and you cannot pass the written exam by answering task 1 only.
You complete two tasks:
1. Email reply: Reply to an email from a friend and answer the four questions in it. See our guide to task 1.
2A. Text with a diagram or table: Briefly describe the diagram, explain causes of some of the differences, and discuss pros and cons. See our guide to task 2A.
or
2B. Text with a list of themes: Briefly tell about your own experiences, explain one or two examples from the list, and discuss pros and cons.
3. Reading Exam
The reading exam lasts 90 minutes: 25 minutes for task 1 and 65 minutes for the rest.
- Task 1 – Skimming: quickly find the answers to 15 factual questions in a collection of texts.
- Task 2A – Multiple choice: read a text of about 1½ pages and answer 3 questions on its main points.
- Task 2B – Missing passages: put 5 removed passages back in the right places in a text of about 2 pages.
- Task 3 – Missing words: choose the right word or expression for 8 gaps in a text of about 1 page.
How PD3 Is Graded
PD3 uses the Danish 7-step scale. You get three grades: reading comprehension, written production and oral communication. You pass if your average is at least 2.0, and the oral grade counts double in that average. A single low grade can therefore be balanced by stronger grades elsewhere. Note that some purposes set higher minimums, for example nurse authorisation. See how the PD3 passing score is calculated for worked examples.
🩺 Are you a Healthcare Professional?
Many PD3 students work in the Danish healthcare sector. If you are preparing for a job as a SOSU, check out our SOSU Danish Medical Directory for essential workplace terminology.
PD3 Writing Practice Topics
These topics are for inspiration when preparing for the written exam. They help you think in themes that commonly appear, but they are not official exam questions.
- Fordele og ulemper ved at leje en bolig / Advantages and disadvantages of renting a home
- Frivilligt arbejde og dets rolle i samfundet / Volunteer work and its role in society
- Børn på nettet med fokus på risici og fordele / Children online with focus on risks and benefits
- Det danske arbejdsmarked med fokus på stress / The Danish job market with attention to stress
- Det danske sundhedssystem og brugerbetaling / The Danish healthcare system and user payment
- Uskrevne regler på den danske arbejdsplads / Unwritten rules in the Danish workplace
- Arbejdslivskvalitet og betydningen af arbejdsmiljø / Work-life quality and the importance of work environment
- Transport i Danmark med fokus på cykling / Transport in Denmark with a focus on cycling
- Udfordringer i sundhedssystemet / Challenges facing the healthcare system
- Fleksible arbejdstider / Flexible working hours
- Ligestilling på det danske arbejdsmarked / Equality in the Danish job market
- Teknologiens rolle i hverdagen / The role of technology in daily life
- Klimabekymringer og bæredygtige vaner / Climate concerns and sustainable living habits
- Digital uddannelse og dens indflydelse på læring / Digital education and its impact on learning
- Indvandring og integration i Danmark / Immigration and integration in Denmark
- Sundhedssystemet i Danmark med fokus på ulighed / The Danish healthcare system with focus on inequality
Free PD3 Practice on Learn Danish Lab
- Free PD3 course: step-by-step lessons for each exam task, starting with the PD3 introduction
- Email reply guide (task 1): answering the four questions, with a model answer
- Diagram text guide (task 2A): description, causes and discussion
- PD3 writing trainer and model essays: practise full written answers
- PD3 grade booster, synonyms and antonyms: vocabulary that lifts your grade
Related Questions
- How is the PD3 passing score calculated?
- What CEFR level are PD2 and PD3?
- What is the difference between PD2 and PD3?
Tips Before You Start Preparing
- Review past PD3 topics to understand patterns.
- Practice short presentations and natural conversations.
- Read articles and opinion pieces to build confidence.
- Learn to skim texts without focusing on every detail.
▶ Watch Danish study tips on YouTube
If you plan to take PD3, start early, stay consistent and practice realistic examples. Understanding the format makes the exam much easier.
Official sources
Rules change. Always confirm with these official sources before making decisions. Last checked: 4 October 2026.
- Danskogproever.dk (SIRI): About Prøve i Dansk 3 – official exam parts, durations, oral format and pass rules (in Danish).
- Danskogproever.dk (SIRI): Registration deadlines and test dates – current exam dates and registration deadlines.
- Ministry of Immigration and Integration: Danish skills for citizenship – the Danish language requirement for citizenship (in Danish).
- New to Denmark: Permanent residence – how PD2 and PD3 count for permanent residence.
- Danish Patient Safety Authority: Language test for nurses (non-EU) – the minimum PD3 grades for nurse authorisation.