📊 The Danish 7-Point Grading Scale
The Danish 7-point grading scale is used for all official exams, including PD3. It replaced the old 13-scale in 2007 and is designed to be comparable to the ECTS grading system.
| Grade | Description | ECTS Equivalent | Pass/Fail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Excellent – outstanding performance | A | Pass |
| 10 | Very good – fine performance | B | Pass |
| 7 | Good – average performance | C | Pass |
| 4 | Fair – somewhat mediocre performance | D | Pass |
| 02 | Adequate – just meets minimum requirements | E | Pass |
| 00 | Inadequate – does not meet minimum requirements | Fx | Fail |
| -3 | Unacceptable – completely inadequate | F | Fail |
Source: Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science
✅ Minimum Passing Grade: 02
To pass the PD3 exam, you must achieve at least grade 02 in all four sections (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
What does 02 actually mean?
Grade 02 means the performance is adequate, meeting the minimum acceptable standard for the B2 level. Characteristics of a 02 performance:
- Reading: Understands main ideas but may miss some details or nuances.
- Writing: Communicates the message, but with noticeable errors in grammar and vocabulary that do not completely hinder understanding.
- Listening: Grasps the gist of authentic speech but struggles with fast or accented speech and may miss some key points.
- Speaking: Can maintain a conversation on familiar topics, but with hesitation, limited vocabulary, and some pronunciation issues that occasionally require clarification.
⚠️ Important:
If you receive 00 or -3 in any section, you fail the entire exam. You must retake all sections – partial passes are not carried over.
📋 Section-by-Section Requirements
Each section is graded independently based on specific criteria. Here's what examiners look for to award a passing grade (02 or higher):
Reading
- Understand main ideas in complex texts
- Identify author's opinion and purpose
- Follow arguments and conclusions
- Answer both multiple-choice and open questions
Writing
- Clear structure (introduction, body, conclusion)
- Coherent arguments with examples
- Appropriate vocabulary and connectors
- Grammatical accuracy (word order, en/et)
Listening
- Understand main points and details
- Follow discussions with multiple speakers
- Identify attitudes and opinions
- Cope with native speed and regional accents
Speaking
- Fluency with minimal hesitation
- Clear pronunciation (soft D, stød, vowels)
- Express and defend opinions
- Interactive skills (responding, turn-taking)
For more details on assessment, see What examiners look for.
🎓 University Admission Requirements
While passing PD3 requires only 02 in each section, Danish universities typically demand higher grades for admission to Danish-taught bachelor's and master's programs.
Typical university requirements:
- Minimum average: Often 7 or 10 across all sections
- No section below: Some programs require at least 4 or 7 in each section
- Competitive programs: May look for 10 or 12 in relevant sections
Always check the specific admission requirements of the university and program you are applying to.
Example: University of Copenhagen typically requires PD3 with an average grade of at least 7 for Danish-taught bachelor's programs.
📝 What Each Grade Looks Like (Writing Examples)
Here are examples of responses to the same task at different grade levels:
Task: Write a short essay about the advantages and disadvantages of working from home.
Grade 12 (Excellent)
"Arbejde hjemmefra er blevet mere udbredt efter pandemien. Der er betydelige fordele: fleksibilitet, sparet transporttid, og mulighed for fordybelse. Alligevel må man ikke overse ulemperne: social isolation, svært ved at adskille arbejde og fritid, og manglende kollegial sparring. For mig er en hybridløsning ideel, da den kombinerer det bedste fra begge verdener. Sammenfattende kræver hjemmearbejde selvdisciplin, men kan være givende, hvis det tilrettelægges rigtigt."
Why: Nuanced argument, advanced vocabulary, varied connectors, clear structure.
Grade 7 (Good)
"At arbejde hjemmefra har både fordele og ulemper. Fordelene er, at man sparer tid på transport og kan arbejde i sit eget tempo. Ulemperne er, at man kan føle sig ensom, og det er svært at holde fri. Jeg synes, det er godt at arbejde hjemmefra nogle dage og på kontoret andre dage. På den måde får man det bedste fra begge sider."
Why: Clear structure, good points, but simpler vocabulary and fewer connectors.
Grade 02 (Adequate – Pass)
"Jeg arbejder hjemmefra nogle gange. Det er godt, fordi jeg kan sove længere. Men det er også svært, fordi jeg savner mine kolleger. Jeg tror, at det er bedst at arbejde på kontoret, fordi man kan snakke med andre. Arbejde hjemmefra er okay, men ikke altid."
Why: Communicates basic ideas, but limited vocabulary, simple sentences, and some repetition. Still passes because the message is understandable.
❓ Common Questions About PD3 Scoring
If I get 02 in all sections, can I still get into university?
Probably not. Most universities require an average of 7 or higher. 02 is the minimum pass, but it's considered a weak performance. For university, aim for at least 7 in each section.
What happens if I fail one section?
You must retake the entire exam. You cannot retake only the failed section. All four sections must be passed in the same exam session.
Is there a grade average requirement for citizenship?
For Danish citizenship, you need to pass PD3 or Studieprøven. There is no specific grade requirement – passing (02 in each section) is sufficient. However, some municipalities may look at your overall language proficiency.
Can I appeal my grade?
Yes, you can request a re-evaluation within a certain period (usually 2 weeks). Contact your language school for the procedure. Note that your grade can also be lowered upon re-evaluation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is 02 a good grade?
02 is the minimum passing grade. It means your performance was adequate but just barely meeting the requirements. It's enough to pass the exam, but for most practical purposes (jobs, university), you'll want a higher grade.
How is the overall grade calculated?
There is no overall grade. Each section is graded separately. You pass if all four sections are at least 02. Universities may calculate an average, but the official exam result shows four individual grades.
What is the equivalent of 02 in ECTS?
02 corresponds to ECTS grade E, which is the lowest passing grade in the European system.
Do I need a certain grade for permanent residence?
No, for permanent residence you only need to pass PD2. PD3 is not required for permanent residence, but if you take PD3, passing (02) is sufficient.