Entrance exam in Icelandic for applicants for study programmes taught in Icelandic

The exam assesses the applicants´ Icelandic language skills at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Four components are tested: reading comprehension, listening, writing, and speaking.
Results of the exam will be sent by e-mail to the applicant.

Applicants with an approved application who have completed qualifications from schools abroad will receive information from the University of Iceland about the exam location and time.
The exam fee will not be charged in 2026 but will be introduced in 2027 (currently ISK 35,000).

The exams are held on site and take place in the buildings of the University of Iceland.
On 15–16 June.
Applicants who are unable to take the exam in June may apply to take the exam on August 10. Please contact islenskuprof@hi.is.
Please note that enrolment is not approved until Icelandic proficiency has been confirmed. The registration fee must then be paid as soon as possible, before the first day of school.
The exam sites are easily accessible. Applicants who are unable to take the exam at the University of Iceland must take it at a designated test centre in Iceland. A list of designated test centres can be found here. Applicants must contact a designated test centre themselves and register to take the exam there. Further information can be found on this site under the headline under Distance Exams.
The applicant must attend the exam with valid identification (passport or driver’s license).

Reading comprehension, listening and writing exams take approximately 4 hours and are taken in the digital assessment platform Inspera.

The University of Iceland provides test takers with computers and headphones to take the exams. Test takers are provided with notepads and pens. No other aids are permitted during the exams.
The reading comprehension exam consists of 4 tasks, and test takers are given 60 minutes to complete it.
The listening exam consists of 4 tasks, and test takers are given 40 minutes to complete it.
The writing exam consists of 2 tasks, and test takers are given 80 minutes to complete it.
Short breaks are taken between the tests.
Test takers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the structure of the exams by reviewing the sample exams below.

The test taker is assigned an appointment time for the oral test. The oral exam takes a total of 30 minutes.

The first 15 minutes are spent preparing for the test tasks in a waiting room before the exam begins. The exam itself takes 15 minutes in the exam room.
The exam consists of three tasks, which are handed out on site.
The test taker takes the exam alone and is assessed by two examiners.
Test takers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the structure of the exam by looking at the sample exam below.