✍️ Writing Assessment Criteria
What Examiners Look For:
- ✅ Structure: Clear introduction, body, conclusion. Paragraphs with logical flow.
- ✅ Coherence: Ideas connect smoothly. Use of connectors (derfor, desuden, alligevel).
- ✅ Vocabulary: Range of words appropriate to level. Avoid repetition.
- ✅ Grammar: Correct word order (V2 rule), en/et, verb tenses.
- ✅ Task fulfillment: Did you answer the question fully?
What They Don't Care About:
- ❌ Perfect spelling: A few spelling mistakes are fine
- ❌ Complex vocabulary: Simple words used correctly > fancy words used wrong
- ❌ Handwriting: As long as it's readable
- ❌ Minor grammar slips: If meaning is still clear
PD2 Writing Example (B1):
Task: Write an email to a friend about your weekend
"Hej Maria! I weekenden var jeg i parken med mine venner. Vi spiste mad og snakkede. Vejret var godt. Søndag så jeg en film derhjemme. Det var hyggeligt. Hvad lavede du? Kh, Peter"
Why this works: Simple but clear. Covers the task. Basic connectors. Communicates effectively.
PD3 Writing Example (B2):
Task: Discuss advantages and disadvantages of working from home
"I de seneste år er hjemmearbejde blevet mere udbredt. Der er både fordele og ulemper ved denne udvikling. For det første giver hjemmearbejde fleksibilitet. Man sparer transporttid og kan tilrettelægge sin dag. Derudover kan man ofte koncentrere sig bedre uden forstyrrelser fra kolleger. Alligevel er der også ulemper. Nogle savner det sociale fællesskab på arbejdspladsen, og det kan være svært at adskille arbejde og fritid. Efter min mening er en kombination af begge dele den bedste løsning."
Why this works: Clear structure, advanced connectors, balanced arguments, personal opinion.
🗣️ Speaking Assessment Criteria
What Examiners Look For:
- ✅ Fluency: Natural flow, minimal hesitation, able to keep going
- ✅ Pronunciation: Clear enough to be understood (soft D, stød, vowels)
- ✅ Expressing opinions: Can you state and defend your views?
- ✅ Interaction: Responding to questions, asking for clarification, turn-taking
- ✅ Vocabulary: Range appropriate to topic
What They Don't Care About:
- ❌ Native accent: Accent is fine, as long as you're understandable
- ❌ Perfect grammar: Mistakes in complex sentences are expected
- ❌ Memorized speeches: They want spontaneous language
- ❌ Silence while thinking: Brief pauses are normal
PD2 Speaking Expectations:
- Can have a simple conversation about familiar topics
- Can describe people, places, and experiences
- Can give short, simple opinions
- Pronunciation is generally clear despite accent
PD3 Speaking Expectations:
- Can discuss abstract topics (politics, society, ethics)
- Can defend opinions with arguments
- Can interact naturally with examiners, including follow-up questions
- Can speak at length without much hesitation
- Pronunciation is clear and Danish sounds are recognizable
📝 Examiner's comment example (real PD3):
"God flydende fremstilling. Varieret ordforråd. Enkelte udtalefejl (fx soft D i 'gade'), men forståelig. Kan føre en samtale uden problemer."
Translation: Good fluent presentation. Varied vocabulary. A few pronunciation errors, but understandable. Can conduct a conversation without problems.
📖 Reading Assessment Criteria
What Examiners Look For:
- ✅ Main ideas: Can you identify the overall point of a text?
- ✅ Details: Can you find specific information?
- ✅ Inference: Can you understand implied meanings?
- ✅ Opinion vs fact: Can you distinguish author's view from facts?
- ✅ Vocabulary in context: Can you guess meaning of unknown words?
PD2 Reading:
- Texts: short articles, advertisements, personal letters
- Tasks: find main points, locate specific info, understand simple opinions
PD3 Reading:
- Texts: complex articles, editorials, literary excerpts
- Tasks: identify author's perspective, evaluate arguments, draw conclusions
🎧 Listening Assessment Criteria
What Examiners Look For:
- ✅ Gist: Can you understand the general topic and purpose?
- ✅ Specific information: Can you catch names, numbers, dates?
- ✅ Attitudes: Can you identify speaker's opinion or emotion?
- ✅ Following arguments: Can you track a discussion between speakers?
PD2 Listening:
- Audio: clear, slower speech, short monologues/dialogues
- Tasks: answer multiple choice, fill in missing information
PD3 Listening:
- Audio: native speed, interviews, debates, podcasts
- Tasks: understand opinions, follow complex arguments, summarize main points
⚖️ PD2 vs PD3: What Changes?
| Criteria | PD2 (B1) | PD3 (B2) |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | Simple texts, descriptions, short emails | Structured essays, arguments, reports |
| Speaking | Conversations on familiar topics | Discussions on abstract topics, defending opinions |
| Vocabulary | 2,000-2,500 everyday words | 3,500-4,000 words + idioms, nuanced language |
| Grammar accuracy | Basic structures correct, some errors allowed | Complex sentences, good control, minor errors only |
| Fluency | Can keep going with some pauses | Natural flow, limited hesitation |
📊 How the 7-Point Scale Relates to Expectations
| Grade | What It Means | Examiner's View |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Excellent | Exceeds expectations for the level |
| 10 | Very good | Meets all criteria with few minor errors |
| 7 | Good | Solid performance, meets expectations |
| 4 | Fair | Acceptable, some weaknesses but overall functional |
| 02 | Adequate | Barely meets minimum requirements |
| 00 | Inadequate | Does not meet minimum for the level |
Target for passing: You need at least 02 in all four sections.
✨ Good vs Great: Real Examples
Speaking Example: "Hvad synes du om offentlig transport i København?"
Good (Passing):
"Jeg synes, offentlig transport er okay. Busserne kommer til tiden, men nogle gange er de forsinket. Metroen er hurtig. Det er lidt dyrt."
Why it works: Clear opinion, understandable, answers the question. Basic but functional.
Great (High score):
"Generelt set fungerer offentlig transport i København godt, især sammenlignet med andre storbyer. Metroen er både hurtig og pålidelig, og der kommer hele tiden nye stationer. Til gengæld synes jeg, at priserne er steget markant de seneste år, hvilket gør det svært for studerende. Desuden kunne busdækningen i yderkvartererne være bedre."
Why it works: Nuanced opinion, advanced vocabulary, comparison, specific examples, connectors.
⚠️ What Examiners Dislike
- Memorized speeches: Examiners can tell. They will ask follow-up questions to test spontaneity.
- One-word answers: Shows limited language ability. Always elaborate.
- Ignoring the task: Writing about something completely different from what was asked.
- Over-complicated vocabulary used incorrectly: Simple words used correctly > fancy words used wrong.
- Complete lack of structure: No paragraphs, no clear beginning/end.
- Inaudible speaking: Mumbling, speaking too quietly.
- Not asking for clarification: If you don't understand, ask – better than answering incorrectly.
✅ Self-Assessment Checklist
Before submitting writing:
- ✓ Did I answer the actual question?
- ✓ Does my introduction state my main point?
- ✓ Are my paragraphs in logical order?
- ✓ Did I use connectors (derfor, desuden)?
- ✓ Did I vary my vocabulary?
- ✓ Did I check en/et and word order?
Before speaking:
- ✓ Can I speak for 2+ minutes on this topic?
- ✓ Do I have opinions ready on common topics?
- ✓ Can I explain why I hold those opinions?
- ✓ Am I prepared to ask follow-up questions?
- ✓ Have I practiced pronunciation of key words?
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak perfectly to pass?
No! Examiners know you're learning. They expect mistakes. What matters is: can you communicate your message clearly? A few pronunciation errors won't fail you.
What's the most common reason people fail?
For writing: not answering the actual task. For speaking: giving very short answers (one word) and not engaging. For reading/listening: not reading questions carefully.
Do I lose points for asking the examiner to repeat?
No – it shows interaction skills. It's better to ask than to answer the wrong question. Use phrases like "Undskyld, kan du gentage?" or "Hvad betyder det?"
How important is pronunciation in PD3?
Very important at B2 level. You need to be clearly understandable. Focus on soft D (blødt d), stød, and vowels. You don't need a native accent, but key sounds must be recognizable.
Can I use complex words I'm not sure about?
Better to use simple words correctly than complex words incorrectly. Examiners note when vocabulary is misused. Stick to words you're confident with.
Related Questions
Practice with exam-style tasks
Our exercises are designed to meet examiner expectations.
Start Practicing Now →