Overview of Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) – test content and evaluation

Below you can see a full overview of what the total PD3 exam consists of – including the Reading comprehension, Written communication and Oral communication. Additionally you can find information on what each sub-test includes and some info on, how your effort will be evaluated.

Reading comprehension – Prøve i læseforståelse

Delprøve 1 – Description and Example
The exam consists of a collection of texts totaling approximately 14 pages, including images. These texts are organized under about five subheadings. For example, in the collection from the summer 2023 exam regarding Southern Jutland, the subheadings included: “Three historical attractions in Southern Jutland,” “Food traditions in Southern Jutland,” and “Hiking routes in Southern Jutland.”

In this part of the exam, you must quickly find the answers to 15 factual questions. Most of the questions begin with a “wh-” word, such as who, what, where, or when, though there are also a few yes/no questions.

You are not expected to read the entire collection of texts; instead, you should use the table of contents to locate the specific text where the answer to each of the 15 questions can be found. You must write a short answer for each question.

Delprøve 2A
This section includes a text of approximately 1.5 pages focusing on a societal topic, such as running your own business or how to become a better leader.
There are three questions that follow the text in chronological order. For each question, you must choose one of three possible answers.

To answer correctly, you must read the text carefully and grasp the most important points. Therefore, you are required to understand the content in detail.

Delprøve 3
This task includes a text of approximately one page. Eight words or phrases have been removed from the text. For each gap, you must choose the correct word or expression from four given options.

To solve the task, you must read the text carefully and gain a detailed understanding of the content both within and surrounding the sentences where the words or phrases are missing. You must also have a precise understanding of the words and expressions provided as options.

Written communication – Prøve i skriftlig fremstilling

Duration and Aids
The examination consists of delprøve 1 and delprøve 2 and lasts two and a half hours.

You will be seated in a room with other test-takers. Your response must be handwritten; however, some test centers may offer the option of using a computer.

You are permitted to use dictionaries, but you may not use phrasebooks or similar materials that contain pre-written sentences that could be inserted directly into your response. If you are in doubt about whether your dictionary is permitted, please check with your test administrator well in advance of the exam.

Assignment – Description and Example
Delprøve 1: In delprøve 1, you must reply to an email from a friend. There are four underlined questions in the email that you are required to answer.

Delprøve 2: In delprøve 2, you must complete an assignment on a societal topic, such as traffic safety or workplace health programs.

You must choose to answer either Task A or Task B. In both tasks, there are three points that you must address.
In delprøve 2A, you are provided with a diagram, which you must first briefly describe.

Next, you must explain the reasons for some of the differences shown in the diagram. Finally, you must discuss the pros and cons or evaluate a general issue within the topic, such as what the state and municipalities can do to reduce the number of traffic fatalities.

In delprøve 2B, you must first briefly share your personal experiences.
Next, you must select one or two sub-topics from a list of six provided in a box and comment on them, for example, a sub-topic regarding health checks during working hours.

Finally, you must discuss the pros and cons or evaluate a general issue within the topic, such as the advantages and disadvantages of a workplace being involved in the lifestyle of its employees.

You must write at least 200 words. The assignment is designed to test your ability to write clearly and understandably.

Oral communication – Prøve i mundtlig kommunikation

Duration and description
The examination consists of delprøve 1 og delprøve 2, each lasting approximately five minutes. In the first part, you will be tested on a topic you have prepared in advance. In the second part, you will be tested on a topic that you have not seen beforehand.

During the examination, you will sit at a table with an examiner and an external moderator. The examiner will explain what you need to do and ask you questions. The moderator will take notes, keep time, and, together with the examiner, determine your final grade.

Delprøve 1
One week before the exam, the language center where you are taking your test will provide you with a topic. This topic will concern a societal issue, such as “Lifestyle diseases with a focus on diabetes” or “The Danish public school system with a focus on bullying.”

In Delprøve 1, you must first deliver a presentation lasting two minutes. It is important that your presentation is neither significantly shorter nor longer than approximately two minutes. You must demonstrate that you can select relevant sub-points and present a topic that is easy for the examiner and the co-examiner to follow and understand.

Following the presentation, the examiner will ask questions regarding your talk. The examiner may ask you to explain or elaborate on something you mentioned during your presentation. Furthermore, the examiner may ask you to explain, justify, and take a stance on questions related to the themes covered in your presentation.

Your ability to present a topic and answer questions clearly and understandably is what will be assessed in this part of the exam.

Delprøve 2
For this part of the exam, you will be asked to draw one topic at random from three possible options concerning a societal issue, such as the use of social media, or job hunting or unemployment.

In delprøve 2, you must answer questions about your chosen topic from the examiner. The examiner will first ask you a question regarding a specific aspect of the topic, for example, why more and more people are buying and selling products via social media. The examiner will then ask you to clarify, explain, or elaborate on aspects of your answer.

Following this, the examiner will ask you a second question concerning a more general aspect of the topic, such as what you believe the advantages and disadvantages might be of people getting their news from social media. Here too, the examiner will ask you to clarify, explain, or elaborate on your response.

Your ability to answer questions clearly and understandably is what will be assessed during this part of the exam.

How to pass the PD3 exam – get the full overview here…