How the test works
The test has four blocks of ten questions, one for each level from A1 to B2. Each block mixes grammar, vocabulary and word order, and ends with a short text to read and two questions about it. If you answer at least six of ten correctly, you move on to the next block. If not, the test stops, because the next block would mostly be guesswork, and your level is the last block you passed.
Choose Not sure rather than guessing. A lucky guess makes the result less useful to you, and every question shows the right answer and a short explanation afterwards, so even a wrong answer teaches you something.
What the CEFR levels mean
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) describes language ability in six levels, from A1 to C2. Employers, universities, language schools and many Swedish courses refer to it.
| Level | In practice |
|---|---|
| A1 | You can introduce yourself, ask simple questions and understand slow, clear speech about familiar things. |
| A2 | You manage everyday situations: shops, directions, small talk about work and family, simple messages. |
| B1 | You can follow the main points of clear speech and texts, handle most travel and work situations, and give reasons for your opinions. |
| B2 | You understand complex texts and can talk with Swedes fluently enough that neither side has to strain. |
| C1 | You use Swedish flexibly for work and study, including formal writing. Required, for example, for a Swedish medical licence. |
| C2 | Near-native command, including nuance, humour and style. |
This test covers A1 to B2, where most learners are. Above B2, what matters most is reading, listening and writing at length, which a multiple-choice test cannot measure well.
What each level looks like in Swedish grammar
- A1: en and ett, present tense (jag dricker), basic questions (Vad heter du?), and the verb-second rule: I dag jobbar jag hemma.
- A2: past tense and irregular verbs (gick, var, sa), adjective agreement (ett nytt bord, den röda bilen), modal verbs and the position of inte.
- B1: word order in subordinate clauses (eftersom hon inte hade sagt något), the s-passive (huset byggdes), the perfect tense and sin versus hans.
- B2: idioms, register, conditional inversion (hade jag vetat det …), particle verbs in the passive and precise vocabulary.
Common problem areas for English speakers
- Verb second. English allows Today I work at home; Swedish needs I dag jobbar jag hemma. It is the single most common mistake, even at B1.
- Inte in subordinate clauses. Jag vet att han inte kommer, not att han kommer inte, in careful Swedish.
- En or ett. There is no single rule, so learn every noun with its article. The en or ett checker helps.
- Sin and hans. Peter tvättar sin bil is his own car; hans bil is someone else's.
- Time expressions. på måndag (next Monday), i måndags (last Monday), på måndagar (every Monday). And halv nio is 8.30. See the Swedish numbers converter.
Which course fits your level
Alphabet (A0) is four short lessons on how every Swedish letter sounds. Complete Swedish S1 takes you from zero to A2. Complete Swedish S2 continues from A2 to B1 with longer sentences and harder grammar. Literature is for B1 and above, built on real texts from Swedish literature. Season 1 is free in full, with no account needed: start with lesson 1. The first three lessons of the other courses are free with an account: compare the courses.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is an online Swedish level test?
It gives a good estimate of your grammar, vocabulary and reading, which is what most placement tests measure. It cannot test speaking, listening or writing, so treat the result as a starting point. If you speak much better or much worse than you read, adjust up or down.
What is the difference between A2 and B1 in Swedish?
At A2 you manage everyday situations in simple sentences: shopping, directions, talking about your day. At B1 you can keep a conversation going on familiar topics, explain your opinions and follow the main points of the news. Grammatically, B1 is where subordinate clause word order, the passive and sin versus hans become routine.
What CEFR level is SFI?
SFI (Svenska för invandrare) has four courses, A to D. Course D, the last one, corresponds roughly to A2 to B1. After SFI, adult education continues with Svenska som andraspråk at basic and upper-secondary level.
What level of Swedish do I need to work in Sweden?
It depends on the job. Many workplaces in tech and research use English, but most employers expect at least B1 for everyday work and B2 for customer-facing or office roles. Licensed professions set formal requirements: doctors and nurses trained outside the EU/EEA, for example, must show Swedish at C1 level to get a Swedish licence.
How long does it take to reach B1 in Swedish?
For an English speaker, B1 typically takes 350 to 500 hours of study and practice. Swedish is one of the closest languages to English: the US Foreign Service Institute puts it in its easiest category, at around 600 classroom hours (24 weeks of full-time study) for professional working proficiency.
Can I get an official Swedish certificate?
Yes. Swedex, run by Folkuniversitetet, offers exams at A2, B1 and B2. For studies at Swedish universities the usual proof is Svenska 3 or Svenska som andraspråk 3 from upper-secondary school, or a pass on the Tisus test.