Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) is a major milestone for anyone living in Denmark.

Passing this official state exam proves you have a solid grasp of the Danish language.

You’ll need this certification if you want to apply for permanent residency or Danish citizenship.

The test evaluates your reading, writing, and speaking skills at a B2 level.

I’ll break down exactly how the exam is structured and what you need to do to pass.

What is the PD3 exam?

The PD3 is the final exam for the third Danish education program (Danskuddannelse 3).

It corresponds to the B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

This means you’re expected to understand complex texts and communicate fluently with native speakers.

The exam takes place twice a year, usually in May or June and November or December.

It’s divided into a written exam and an oral exam.

The written exam always happens first.

You’ll take the oral exam a few weeks later.

Reading comprehension structure

The reading section of the exam is called Læseforståelse.

You have exactly 90 minutes to complete this entire part.

It consists of two separate sections.

Part one focuses on skimming texts and finding specific information quickly.

You’ll read short texts and answer multiple-choice questions.

Part two involves reading a longer, more complex article.

You must understand the main arguments and fill in missing words.

Time management is crucial here because 90 minutes goes by very fast.

Written presentation structure

The writing section is called Skriftlig fremstilling.

You have two and a half hours to complete this test.

This section is also split into two different parts.

Part A requires you to write a short text based on a specific prompt.

You might be asked to write an email to a colleague or a formal letter to a municipality.

Part B is a longer argumentative essay.

You’ll be given a topic containing two different viewpoints.

You must express your own opinion and back it up with clear arguments.

Oral communication structure

The oral exam is called Mundtlig kommunikation.

This part lasts about 15 minutes in total.

It starts with a prepared presentation.

You’ll choose a topic beforehand and speak about it for two minutes.

The examiner will then ask you follow-up questions about your chosen topic.

After this, the second part involves describing a picture or discussing a randomly assigned topic.

The goal is to show you can hold a natural conversation and express your opinions clearly.

During this section, you might need to express agreement with the examiner’s statements.

Alternatively, you must know how to politely express a different viewpoint.

The grading system explained

Denmark uses the 7-point grading scale (7-trins-skalaen).

You’ll receive separate grades for reading, writing, and speaking.

To simply pass the PD3 exam, you need a minimum average score of 02.

However, permanent residency and citizenship applications often require higher specific grades.

Always check the official immigration website for current legal requirements.

Here’s a breakdown of the Danish grading scale:

How to prepare for the exam

Passing the PD3 requires consistent practice over several months.

You must expose yourself to standard Danish news articles and opinion pieces daily.

Reading newspapers like Politiken or DR Nyheder will quickly build your vocabulary.

You should also take as many past practice exams as possible.

The Danish Ministry provides old exam papers on their official website for free.

Practicing under strict time limits will help you manage your stress on exam day.

If you need a structured way to build your grammar and vocabulary, I highly recommend Talk In Danish.

Our platform provides focused lessons that perfectly align with the CEFR levels needed to pass the PD3.