Overview
Mönstring is Sweden's assessment for conscription (värnplikt) and civil service (civilplikt) training. It is run by Plikt- och prövningsverket (the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency), which is based in Karlstad. The assessment lasts one to two days and combines a computer-based aptitude test, medical and physical tests, a psychological interview and an enrolment interview. The results decide whether a person is enrolled for basic training and in which role.
The process starts with a compulsory online questionnaire, the mönstringsunderlag, sent to nearly everyone in Sweden in the year they turn 18. Only a share of those who answer are called to mönstring. For people born in 2008, of about 111,000 in the year group, about 30,000 were called to mönstring and about 10,000 were expected to be enrolled for training.
Who can apply
Nearly all Swedish citizens registered in Sweden must answer the mönstringsunderlag in the year they turn 18; there are limited exceptions, for example for some people living abroad or in care. Answering is a legal duty, and not answering or giving false answers is an offence. Anyone called to mönstring must attend, even if they do not want to. The duty to undergo assessment lasts until age 24, so a later call is possible. People not called can also apply to be assessed.
Levels or stages
Mönstringsunderlaget (questionnaire)
The questionnaire is answered online in January and February of the year a person turns 18. In March of the same year, each person is told whether they will be called to mönstring.
Mönstring (assessment days)
The assessment days are held at the agency's test centres in Stockholm, Malmö and Göteborg, with Umeå added from October 2026; the centre depends on the county of residence. A day usually lasts about eight hours, with waits between steps, and mobile phones may not be used. The steps are:
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Registration | Identity check with valid ID |
| I-provet | Computer-based general aptitude test of vocabulary, logical reasoning and spatial ability; its result feeds into later assessments |
| Health check | A nurse reviews the health declaration and examines general condition, build, skin, joints, arms, legs, back and shoulders |
| Doctor's assessment | A doctor judges medical and physical fitness for service |
| Vision and colour vision | Eye chart and colour plates |
| Hearing | Tested at several frequencies with headphones in a soundproof booth |
| Strength test | Leg, core, back and shoulder strength measured on a machine with a lift from the floor to chin height; height and weight are recorded first |
| EKG, pulse and blood pressure | Resting heart function is recorded |
| Physical work test | Exercise bike with rising resistance until exhaustion, with pulse, load and cadence monitored |
| Psychologist interview | Background, education, family and interests, read together with the I-prov result; may be held remotely |
| Enrolment interview | Held if all steps are passed; results are reviewed and the person states which roles and training they prefer |
The minimum vision standard is 0.1 in each eye without correction; with glasses or lenses, 0.8 in the better eye and 0.1 in the worse eye.
Marking and results
Each step has its own requirements, and all must be met to be enrolled for basic training. An I-prov result is valid for 36 months; anyone who fails it must wait 18 months before taking it again. The agency, not the candidate, decides the final placement. A preliminary answer is given before leaving the test centre, and the final decision arrives within four months through the agency's personal account page, minsida.pliktverket.se. Those who are not enrolled have met their duty and may apply again after a waiting period.
Important dates
The questionnaire is answered in January and February of the year a person turns 18, and calls to mönstring are announced in March of that year. Assessment dates are then given individually.
Travel and stay
People called to mönstring, or who applied to be tested, get one trip paid, booked through minsida.pliktverket.se, normally by public transport with a second-class seat or couchette. Tickets rebooked independently or use of a private car without permission are not refunded. Where the assessment runs over two days, or the person lives far away and the day starts at 08:00, one night's stay at the test centre can be provided.
How to apply
There is no application for those who receive the questionnaire; they answer it online when the letter arrives. Before the assessment day, complete the medical health declaration, gather a list of medicines taken in the past five years, and call the agency if your health has changed since you answered. Bring valid ID, glasses or contact lenses with a current prescription if you use them, training clothes and shoes, and contact details for a reference person. Avoid night lenses for a week before the vision test.
After the exam
Those enrolled are called to basic training. Military basic training lasts 9 to 15 months at sites across the country. Civil service training lasts 14 to 20 weeks and takes place in Revinge in Skåne and Sandö in Ångermanland.
Preparation tips
Answer the questionnaire honestly; it is used to decide who is called, and false answers are an offence.
Build general fitness for the exercise bike test and practise correct lifting technique, since strength is measured with a lift from the floor.
Get enough sleep before the I-prov, which is taken first and influences the rest of the assessment.
Bring something to read for the waits, as phones may not be used.
Do I have to attend mönstring if I am called?
Yes. Attendance is compulsory for those called, as is answering the mönstringsunderlag.
How long is an I-prov result valid?
36 months. If you fail it, you must wait 18 months before taking it again.
Do I pay for travel to mönstring?
No. One trip is paid if booked through minsida.pliktverket.se following the agency's rules.