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statistikk
2020-11-17T08:00:00.000Z
Education;Immigration and immigrants
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nasjprov, National tests, pupils, primary and lower secondary schools, results, pupil performance, command levelEducation, Primary and lower secondary schools, Immigration and immigrants, Education
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National tests

Updated

Key figures

24.6 %

of 5th grade pupils achieved the lowest mastering level in english

Proportion of pupils at the lowest level in national tests in 5th grade, by sex, immigration category and parents' educational attainment level.
2020
Proportion of pupils who achieved the lowest level. English 5th gradeProportion of pupils who achieved the lowest level. Reading 5th gradeProportion of pupils who achieved the lowest level. Mathematics 5th grade
All pupils24.623.324.0
 
Sex
Boys24.325.421.3
Girls25.021.126.7
 
Immigration category
Immigrants25.038.938.8
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents18.532.835.2
Other pupils25.421.021.5
 
Parents' educational attainment level
Parents do not have tertiary education29.534.335.2
Parents have tertiary education21.816.717.3

See selected tables from this statistics

Table 1 
Distribution of pupils by mastering levels in national tests in 5th grade, by parents' educational attainment level, the centrality of pupils' school municipality and years. Per cent

Distribution of pupils by mastering levels in national tests in 5th grade, by parents' educational attainment level, the centrality of pupils' school municipality and years. Per cent
Mastering level EnglishMastering level reading NorwegianMastering level Mathematics
123123123
2017
All pupils
Central municipalities21.651.227.222.452.824.822.351.026.7
Quite central municipalities25.252.422.425.454.120.623.752.423.9
Less central municipalities28.050.821.229.351.918.826.650.922.5
Least central municipalities29.050.320.728.552.918.625.552.621.8
 
Parents do not have tertiary education
Central municipalities28.651.619.833.853.213.033.451.415.1
Quite central municipalities30.852.017.234.253.712.232.652.315.1
Less central municipalities33.548.518.037.451.211.435.050.514.5
Least central municipalities35.548.815.737.251.011.933.551.914.6
 
Parents have tertiary education
Central municipalities17.651.131.315.352.831.815.550.933.6
Quite central municipalities21.452.825.818.754.726.617.052.730.3
Less central municipalities23.852.823.422.752.924.419.751.528.9
Least central municipalities23.651.524.920.155.024.818.253.528.3
 
Parents' educational attainment level is unknown
Central municipalities23.447.229.542.146.311.637.145.717.2
Quite central municipalities26.546.627.044.142.913.040.744.314.9
Less central municipalities35.643.720.750.040.010.044.344.311.3
Least central municipalities21.055.223.846.544.49.135.446.917.7

Table 2 
Distribution of pupils by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade, by parents' educational attainment level and the centrality of pupils' school municipality. Years. Per cent

Distribution of pupils by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade, by parents' educational attainment level and the centrality of pupils' school municipality. Years. Per cent
Mastering level EnglishMastering level reading NorwegianMastering level Mathematics
123451234512345
2017
All pupils
Central municipalities7.717.840.721.912.08.317.141.120.912.57.421.437.022.212.0
Quite central municipalities9.620.542.318.98.79.619.143.219.38.78.624.238.820.28.2
Less central municipalities10.721.342.017.98.19.621.045.117.36.97.924.339.720.17.9
Least central municipalities10.021.541.418.38.810.218.944.718.37.98.423.439.220.88.2
Parents do not have tertiary education
Central municipalities11.723.442.316.56.113.124.944.213.44.512.130.438.414.64.5
Quite central municipalities13.924.440.615.35.714.525.642.813.43.713.431.437.813.73.7
Less central municipalities13.724.541.614.85.413.626.544.511.73.610.730.938.815.83.9
Least central municipalities13.625.240.815.15.414.223.746.211.84.212.429.539.514.73.9
Parents have tertiary education
Central municipalities4.814.140.025.515.64.611.839.726.117.93.915.436.527.316.9
Quite central municipalities5.717.444.021.911.05.213.944.024.312.74.418.339.925.411.9
Less central municipalities7.518.742.520.810.65.116.146.822.29.84.718.640.924.311.4
Least central municipalities6.318.242.221.411.95.814.343.924.611.54.317.339.426.812.2
Parents' educational attainment level is unknown
Central municipalities20.523.531.813.311.029.631.028.66.74.023.832.527.511.15.0
Quite central municipalities28.124.031.89.46.836.331.026.34.71.826.336.626.39.31.5
Less central municipalities28.921.138.27.93.944.933.314.57.20.032.132.129.52.63.8
Least central municipalities22.223.134.313.96.536.029.029.04.02.022.839.527.27.92.6

Table 3 
Distribution of pupils, by mastering levels in national tests in 5th grade, by gender and parents' educational attainment level. Per cent

Distribution of pupils, by mastering levels in national tests in 5th grade, by gender and parents' educational attainment level. Per cent
2020
Mastering level EnglishMastering level reading NorwegianMastering level Mathematics
123123123
Both boys and girls
All educational levels24.647.827.623.355.121.624.051.724.3
Basic school or no completed education30.049.420.643.549.47.147.045.87.2
Upper secondary education29.448.522.131.756.012.331.853.714.5
Tertiary education21.847.330.816.755.627.617.351.830.8
Unknown30.544.025.545.743.610.642.243.314.5
Boys
All educational levels24.347.927.925.454.719.821.350.428.3
Basic school or no completed education31.050.518.645.948.06.141.150.48.5
Upper secondary education28.749.122.134.654.610.928.853.417.7
Tertiary education21.447.131.518.755.825.515.349.235.5
Unknown30.744.425.046.342.511.138.445.416.2
Girls
All educational levels25.047.727.321.155.523.426.753.220.1
Basic school or no completed education29.048.522.641.350.78.052.641.46.0
Upper secondary education30.047.922.128.857.413.834.854.111.1
Tertiary education22.247.630.214.755.529.819.454.626.0
Unknown30.343.526.245.044.810.246.041.312.8

Table 4 
Distribution of pupils, by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade, by gender and parents' educational attainment level. Per cent

Distribution of pupils, by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade, by gender and parents' educational attainment level. Per cent
2020
Mastering level EnglishMastering level reading NorwegianMastering level Mathematics
123451234512345
Both boys and girls
All educational levels8.917.242.920.610.59.417.441.622.19.67.723.338.520.110.3
Basic school or no completed education18.223.739.913.84.423.230.236.88.21.619.638.030.89.22.4
Upper secondary education11.921.943.716.46.012.523.844.715.43.610.930.640.013.94.6
Tertiary education5.614.143.223.713.45.312.341.227.513.64.317.539.124.814.3
Unknown28.219.130.713.28.738.128.924.56.91.621.235.728.011.14.0
Boys
All educational levels9.017.142.021.310.611.619.641.819.57.57.721.536.321.712.8
Basic school or no completed education18.523.040.114.44.126.132.733.17.01.018.635.631.511.23.1
Upper secondary education11.922.542.816.56.216.026.642.512.32.611.228.838.615.65.8
Tertiary education5.713.842.324.613.66.814.343.224.910.84.215.836.226.317.5
Unknown32.219.430.212.65.544.929.219.84.51.621.834.327.711.44.7
Girls
All educational levels8.717.343.719.910.37.215.141.424.711.77.825.240.718.57.8
Basic school or no completed education17.924.439.813.24.720.227.740.59.42.220.640.430.27.11.7
Upper secondary education11.921.444.616.25.89.021.046.818.54.710.532.441.512.23.3
Tertiary education5.514.444.222.713.33.810.239.230.216.64.419.342.123.310.9
Unknown24.518.931.113.811.731.828.728.99.11.620.736.928.210.83.4

Table 5 
Distribution of pupils, by mastering levels in national tests in 5th grade, by gender and immigration category. Per cent

Distribution of pupils, by mastering levels in national tests in 5th grade, by gender and immigration category. Per cent
2020
Mastering level EnglishMastering level reading NorwegianMastering Mathematics
123123123
Both boys and girls
Immigrants25.044.230.838.949.511.638.846.514.7
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents18.547.733.832.854.213.035.249.415.5
Other pupils25.448.026.621.055.623.421.552.426.1
Boys
Immigrants26.545.428.240.948.310.833.949.117.1
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents20.249.830.035.853.111.231.251.017.8
Other pupils24.647.827.623.155.421.519.250.430.4
Girls
Immigrants23.543.233.337.050.712.443.644.012.4
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents16.845.637.629.855.414.839.247.713.1
Other pupils26.248.325.618.955.825.323.954.521.6

Table 6 
Distribution of pupils, by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade, by gender and immigration category. Per cent

Distribution of pupils, by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade, by gender and immigration category. Per cent
2020
Mastering level EnglishMastering level reading NorwegianMastering level Mathematics
123451234512345
Both boys and girls
Immigrants17.518.337.117.29.923.728.234.410.73.015.432.632.214.05.8
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents7.816.744.321.010.113.624.840.915.45.210.329.736.915.67.6
Other pupils8.117.243.320.910.67.615.642.423.810.66.721.839.321.211.0
Boys
Immigrants18.419.436.816.78.727.729.431.09.42.614.830.831.415.27.8
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents9.018.143.620.58.817.028.339.212.33.110.328.236.416.78.5
Other pupils8.116.842.421.810.99.617.843.121.18.46.719.936.822.913.7
Girls
Immigrants16.617.237.417.711.119.727.037.712.13.416.034.433.012.83.8
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents6.615.345.121.511.510.221.342.718.67.210.231.337.414.46.6
Other pupils8.117.544.220.010.25.613.341.626.512.96.723.741.819.58.3

Table 7 
Distribution of pupils by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade, by parents' educational attainment level and the pupils' mastering level in the corresponding test in 5th grade. Per cent

Distribution of pupils by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade, by parents' educational attainment level and the pupils' mastering level in the corresponding test in 5th grade. Per cent1
2020
Mastering level EnglishMastering level reading NorwegianMastering level Mathematics
123451234512345
1National tests in English in 5th grade were cancelled in 2011, therefore no results are presented.
The pupils' mastering level in 5th grade
All pupils
123.239.834.62.20.222.539.236.12.10.020.354.324.31.00.1
23.114.460.119.33.13.413.455.923.34.02.819.356.319.12.5
30.30.920.642.635.60.51.321.043.533.70.42.019.541.736.4
Unknown/did not participate in 5th grade35.724.523.69.27.043.129.819.35.82.133.833.221.28.23.6
 
Parents do not have tertiary education
127.740.829.61.80.125.742.031.21.10.023.755.220.60.60.0
24.618.060.015.51.95.118.357.816.91.94.225.355.513.51.5
30.41.627.044.426.61.22.732.743.919.50.84.128.442.824.0
Unknown/did not participate in 5th grade42.429.722.04.31.650.433.613.91.80.444.835.215.83.50.7
 
Parents have tertiary education
119.238.839.12.60.318.535.842.33.30.116.353.228.81.50.2
22.212.360.221.63.72.410.554.727.15.31.915.856.822.43.1
30.20.718.342.038.80.31.018.243.337.10.31.417.141.439.8
Unknown/did not participate in 5th grade25.720.625.514.813.329.524.328.512.65.122.227.727.514.28.4
 
Parents' educational attainment level is unknown
122.343.630.93.20.030.141.827.50.70.021.553.824.10.60.0
25.615.959.516.92.16.119.559.113.41.85.525.851.115.91.6
31.21.222.635.739.34.72.320.955.816.30.03.418.644.133.9
Unknown/did not participate in 5th grade37.718.924.211.08.149.430.016.03.71.026.736.823.99.53.1

Table 8 
Distribution of pupils by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade and 9th grade. Per cent

Distribution of pupils by mastering levels in national tests in 8th grade and 9th grade. Per cent
2017
Mastering level reading NorwegianMastering level Mathematics
1234512345
Grade
8th grade8.817.842.020.211.27.722.237.621.610.8
9th grade5.111.636.325.621.54.315.233.626.320.6

Table 9 
Average score points on national tests 5th grade, by sex, county, parents' educational attainment level and immigration category

Average score points on national tests 5th grade, by sex, county, parents' educational attainment level and immigration category
2020
Score pointsPupils
EnglishReadingMathematicsEnglishReadingMathematics
 
Both sexes50505060 08359 90160 520
Boys50495130 24930 09830 624
Girls50504929 83329 80229 896
 
County
Viken51505014 81714 74614 846
Oslo5252516 6186 5536 636
Innlandet4950493 6693 6963 730
Vestfold og Telemark5049494 6814 6494 722
Agder4949493 6793 6833 714
Rogaland5150506 2326 1986 239
Vestland5049507 3217 3507 402
Møre og Romsdal5049502 8762 8762 921
Trøndelag - Trööndelage4949495 2265 2265 261
Nordland4949482 4382 4602 492
Troms og Finnmark - Romsa ja Finnmárku5049482 5262 4642 557
County not stated000000
 
Parents' educational attainment level
Not tertiary education49474620 97420 95621 181
Tertiary education51525238 09538 03338 317
Unknown4945451 0149121 022
 
Immigration category
Immigrants5146463 7813 6503 872
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents5247476 2276 1586 220
Others50505050 07550 09350 428

Table 10 
Average score points on national tests 8th grade, by sex, county, parents' educational attainment level and immigration category

Average score points on national tests 8th grade, by sex, county, parents' educational attainment level and immigration category
2020
Score pointsPupils
EnglishReadingMathematicsEnglishReadingMathematics
 
Both sexes50505059 98360 20060 268
Boys50495130 35930 46630 578
Girls50514929 62429 73429 690
 
County
Viken51505014 82014 89714 878
Oslo5353526 5046 5046 504
Innlandet4950493 7883 8493 829
Vestfold og Telemark5049494 6594 6824 684
Agder4949493 6933 7023 705
Rogaland5050505 9525 9525 950
Vestland5049507 1457 2727 277
Møre og Romsdal5049493 0973 1003 127
Trøndelag - Trööndelage4949495 1275 1185 129
Nordland4948482 5892 5722 586
Troms og Finnmark - Romsa ja Finnmárku5049482 6092 5522 599
County not stated000000
 
Parents' educational attainment level
Not tertiary education48464622 21322 36622 341
Tertiary education52525236 63636 77336 783
Unknown4541441 1341 0611 144
 
Immigration category
Immigrants4844464 9654 9135 033
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents5047484 8164 8424 821
Others50515050 20250 44550 414

Table 11 
Average score points on national tests 9th grade, by sex, county, parents' educational attainment level and immigration category.

Average score points on national tests 9th grade, by sex, county, parents' educational attainment level and immigration category.
2020
Score pointsPupils
ReadingMathematicsReadingMathematics
 
Both sexes545359 74559 801
Boys525430 29130 461
Girls555229 45329 340
 
County
Viken545314 96514 978
Oslo56556 2086 208
Innlandet53523 9843 974
Vestfold og Telemark53534 7214 713
Agder53533 7193 733
Rogaland53546 0006 008
Vestland53537 0867 072
Møre og Romsdal53533 0042 996
Trøndelag - Trööndelage53535 1075 082
Nordland52522 4062 425
Troms og Finnmark - Romsa ja Finnmárku52522 5452 612
County not stated0000
 
Parents' educational attainment level
Not tertiary education505022 30322 284
Tertiary education565636 54836 511
Unknown44478941 006
 
Immigration background
Immigrants47494 8515 018
Norwegian-born to immigrant parents51514 4814 480
Others545450 41350 303

About the statistics

The purpose of national tests is to assess the pupils’ skills in reading, mathematics and English. The tests are part of the formative assessment and are conducted by autumn in 5th, 8th and 9th grade.

Definitions

Definitions of the main concepts and variables

Mastering levels -- There are three levels for 5th grade and five levels for 8th and 9th grade. The pupils are placed at the different levels according to their score points at the tests

Score points -- From 2014, in addition to mastering levels, the results can be measured in score points. The average in the scale is set at 50, with standard deviation 10. The original points at the test are never comparable, and the degree of difficulty will differ from year to year. Therefore a new scale which describes the pupils’ skills has been developed in order to compare between different tests and years. Item response theory (IRT) has been used to create the new scale.

The table below shows the score intervals for each mastering level in English, reading and mathematics in 5th, 8th, and 9th grade (P.S The score intervals for the reading tests are not definite)

English 5th grade

Mastering level

Score points (min-max)

1

19-42

2

43-56

3

57-78

Reading 5th grade

1

19-42

2

43-56

3

57-74

Mathematics 5th grade

1

19-42

2

43-56

3

57-78

English 8th grade

1

19-36

2

37-44

3

45-56

4

57-62

5

63-78

Reading 8th grade

1

18-36

2

37-44

3

45-54

4

55-62

5

63-75

Mathematics 8th grade

1

20-36

2

37-44

3

45-54

4

55-62

5

63-80

Reading 9th grade

1

18-36

2

37-44

3

45-54

4

55-62

5

63-75

Mathematics 9th grade

1

10-37

2

37-44

3

45-54

4

55-62

5

63-90

Standard classifications

Parents’ highest level of education is derived from register information in The National Education Database (NUDB). The new definitions of levels are used.

Immigration category is coded according to Standard for immigration category 2008. The term other pupils comprise the pupils in immigration categories A, D, E, F and G.

The centrality of pupils' school minicipality is coded according to the definitions in Centrality 2008.

Administrative information

Name and topic

Name: National tests
Topic: Education

Responsible division

Division for Education and Culture Statistics

Regional level

National and county level

Frequency and timeliness

Annual

International reporting

Not relevant

Microdata

All education statistics at Statistics Norway is stored in a proper, standardized manner in consultation with the Data Inspectorate.

Background

Background and purpose

The purpose of national tests is to assess to what degree the school has been able to develop the pupils’ skills in reading, mathematics and English. The tests are intended as instruments for improvements and development activities locally (school and municipality level) and centrally (government level). The tests are part of the formative assessment and are conducted by autumn in 5th, 8th and 9th grade.

National tests in 5th and 8th grade have been conducted annually since 2007. The tests reflects the competence objectives of the curriculum in 4th and 7th grade. Since 2010, identical tests to those in 8th grade in mathematics and Norwegian have also been conducted in 9th grade. Starting in 2010, both the tests in mathematics and reading English are conducted electronically.

Users and applications

Important users of the education statistics are public administration, special interest organizations, the media, researchers, business and industry. Key users are in particular the Ministry of Education and Research and the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training

Equal treatment of users

No external users have access to the statistics and analyses before they are published and accessible simultaneously for all users on ssb.no at 08 am. Prior to this, a minimum of three months' advance notice is given in the Statistics Release Calendar. This is one of Statistics Norway’s key principles for ensuring that all users are treated equally.

Coherence with other statistics

The statistics on national tests can be viewed in connection with education statistics covering pupils in primary and lower secondary schools.

Legal authority

Act of 21 June 2019 No. 32 relating to official statistics and Statistics Norway § 10.

EEA reference

Not relevant

Production

Population

National tests are conducted in 5th and 8th grade in primary and lower secondary schools. The tests are obligatory for all pupils at these grades. Each school can give exemptions according to specified conditions.

The statistics include pupils in 5th and 8th grade who have completed national tests in English, reading and mathematics. Pupils who are exempted or who have not participated in the tests are not included. Statistics about exemption and non-participation in the national tests are available from the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training online in Skoleporten .

In the statistics for 2011, participation rates are measured against the corresponding number of pupils registered 1 October the same year (GSI).

In the statistics for 2013, exemption rates by test are published.

In the statistics for 2014, participation and exemption rates by immigration category in 5th grade are published.

Data sources and sampling

The results from the national tests are collected through the test administration system (PAS), which is owned by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training.

Statistics Norway receives the data from the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training under the provisions of the Statistics Act.

Collection of data, editing and estimations

Each school is responsible for registering the results in the test administration system (PAS). The data are stored in PAS for a limited period of time before encryption. Statistics Norway receives a copy of selected variables prior to the encryption.

The data are subject to various controls such as deletion of duplicates, comparisons with former data sets and a control of correct and valid values for each variable. All Personal ID-numbers are checked for errors.

The statistics for each national test (the three subjects) are based on calculating simple distributions of pupils across the various mastering levels.

Seasonal adjustment

Not relevant.

Confidentiality

The general rule is not to publish data if less than 3 pupils are found within a cell or unit in a table. This is to prevent identification of individuals within the statistics and follows The Act of 21 June 2019 No. 32 relating to official statistics and Statistics Norway § 7.

Comparability over time and space

Until 2013 the score intervals for each mastering level were set every year. From 2014 and onwards, the intervals for each level are definite for the tests in English and Mathematics. This means that from 2014 and onwards, it will be possible to compare the results over time. This is also added to the Reading test from 2016, making it possible to compare results in reading over time from 2017 onwards.

In addition, from 2014, a representative population of six per cent of the pupils will be given so-called anchor items, which will serve to link the tests from year to year, and thus makes it possible to compare the results over time. At the present stage comparison over time will be possible from 2015 in English and Mathematics.

For more information about what is new in national tests 2014, please consult the website of the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training.

In 2007 the percentage distribution of the mastering levels were set according to certain criteria and statistical analyses. Each year until 2013 the mastering levels were set with the aim to achieve approximately the same average and distribution nationally as the previous years. The intention was to give best possible data for comparison at the local level.

When analyzing the national tests from 2007-2013, changes over time for a given group of pupils (e.g. county results) should primarily be interpreted not as absolute improvement/decline, but as relative changes compared to other groups (e.g. other counties) or compared to the distribution at the national level. Even though the distribution at the national level is maintained at an almost fixed level from 2007-2013, there are some variations that one should take into account when comparing results over time.

Since 2010, the results in 8th grade can be compared with the same pupils' results in 5th grade three years earlier. For some pupils (that didn't take part in the 5th grade test or came to the country after 5th grade) such a comparison is not possible. One should also note that the mastering level scale in 5th grade contains three levels, whereas there are five levels in 8th grade. These levels are thus not directly comparable.

National tests in English in 5th grade were cancelled in 2011, therefore no results are presented for this test.

Accuracy and reliability

Sources of error and uncertainty

When data is compiled from administrative registers, typical errors like measurement, non-response and sampling errors do not occur in the same sense as compared to statistics compiled by forms. Errors in data collected from administrative registers can be caused by uncertainties in the definition of variables and values between those responsible for the registers and others responsible for data collection from the registers.

Even though the statistics for national tests are not based on samples, one should be precautious when comparing results based on small groups.

Revision

Not relevant.