Overview
Högskoleprovet is a voluntary standardised test run by the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR). A result gives you a place in a separate selection group when you apply to Swedish universities, which can help if the programme you want has high grade requirements. You do not normally need the test to be admitted. The test is given only in Swedish.
Who can apply
There is no citizenship or residence-permit requirement.
You must turn 18 in the calendar year you take the test.
Some people under 18 can still sit it: upper-secondary students from the spring term of their second year, people holding an upper-secondary diploma or study certificate from a national programme, and people who have passed an equivalent education.
Anyone under 18 who qualifies must first try to register at hogskoleprov.nu and, if that is not possible, use the interest form linked there.
Exam pattern
The test day has five sections. Four count towards your result (two quantitative, two verbal) and one is a trial section used to test future questions; it does not count. The four scored sections hold 160 questions in total, split evenly between the quantitative and verbal parts. The official instructions for the verbal part say each verbal booklet has 40 questions and a total time of 55 minutes.
| Part | Sub-test | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative | XYZ, mathematical problem solving | Problems in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, functions and statistics |
| Quantitative | KVA, quantitative comparisons | Comparing quantities in the same areas |
| Quantitative | NOG, quantitative reasoning | Mathematical and logical problems |
| Quantitative | DTK, diagrams, tables and maps | Reading and interpreting data |
| Verbal | ORD, vocabulary | Understanding words and concepts |
| Verbal | LÄS, Swedish reading | Understanding Swedish texts |
| Verbal | MEK, sentence completion | Understanding words in context |
| Verbal | ELF, English reading | Understanding English texts |
Marking and results
Each correct answer scores one raw point. Wrong or blank answers score zero, so there is no negative marking.
Raw scores (0 to 160) are converted to a normed score from 0.00 to 2.00, so results from different test dates can be compared. The quantitative and verbal parts are normed separately, and the final result combines them.
Marking and norming take a little over a month.
Important dates
The test is normally held twice a year, and registration is open for about one week before each sitting. Late registration is not possible.
Autumn 2026: test on 18 October 2026, registration 11 to 18 August 2026.
Spring 2027: test on 10 April 2027, registration 7 to 14 January 2027.
Fees
As listed on the official site in 2026, the registration fee is SEK 550. It is not refunded if you cancel or cannot come on the test day, and it cannot be moved to another sitting or person.
How to apply
Create a personal account at hogskoleprov.nu (you can do this before registration opens).
Register and pay during the registration week, choosing a test location.
Upload any medical or other certificate by the registration deadline if you need adjustments to the test.
Bring valid physical ID on the day. If you registered with a Swedish personal number, the ID must be a Swedish one.
After the exam
Your result is used for selection to programmes starting the term after you took the test. It stays valid until the end of the half-year that falls eight years after the test date. If you have several valid results, your best one is used. At least one third and at most two thirds of places on a programme go to each of the grade group and the test group.
FAQs
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No. Wrong and blank answers both score zero, so it is worth answering every question.
Can I take the test in English?
No. The test is given only in Swedish, although one verbal sub-test (ELF) uses English reading texts.
Is the trial section marked?
No. The fifth section tests new questions and gives no result.