Bestå
The oral part of Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) is nerve-wracking for many candidates. You sit across from an examiner and a censor, and you must speak Danish at B2 level about topics you may have only just seen. The good news: the oral exam is predictable. Once you know the structure and practise the right things, you can prepare in a focused way.
This guide covers how the exam is built, what the censor actually listens for, and which exercises give you the most progress in the time you have.
How the oral exam is structured
The oral part of PD3 tests oral communication at B2 level. You need to be able to:
- Present a topic in a coherent, structured way
- Take part in a conversation and develop your points
- Respond to follow-up questions without freezing
It is not only about saying things correctly — it is about communicating. A candidate who speaks fluently with small mistakes typically does better than one who speaks perfectly but in short, uncertain sentences.
Always check current requirements and exact exam dates with your language school and at danskogproever.dk, as the framework can change.
What does the censor listen for?
The censor and examiner assess your performance against fixed criteria. In practice they pay attention to:
- Coherence — do you use connectors like fordi, derfor, på den anden side, til gengæld so your points hang together?
- Vocabulary — can you vary your words, or do you repeat the same few expressions?
- Fluency — do you speak in full sentences without long pauses?
- Response — can you answer an unexpected question without losing the thread?
Note that error-free Danish is not on the list. Small grammar mistakes count for much less than most people think.
The three most important exercises before the exam
1. Speak aloud every day — even alone
The most common mistake is only practising in your head. Oral communication is a physical skill. Set a timer for two minutes, pick a random topic (e.g. social media, education, climate), and speak without stopping until time is up. It feels awkward at first — that is the point.
2. Record yourself and listen back
Use your phone, record your two minutes, and listen afterwards. You will quickly spot your own patterns: which words you repeat, where you stall, and when you fall back to short sentences. It is the fastest way to improve.
3. Practise with follow-up questions
Get a friend, teacher, or app to ask you questions like "Why do you think that?" or "Can you give an example?" Being able to elaborate is exactly what separates B1 from B2.
In the Bestå app you can practise this with a simulated examiner who asks follow-up questions in Danish and gives feedback afterwards — so you do not meet that kind of question for the first time on exam day.
A simple structure for any topic
When you present a topic, use this frame:
- Introduction: "Jeg vil gerne tale om …" + your main point in one sentence.
- Argument 1 with a concrete example.
- Argument 2 — ideally the opposite view: "På den anden side …".
- Conclusion: "Så samlet set mener jeg, at …".
This structure keeps you calm because you always know what comes next — even when nerves kick in.
The main takeaway
The PD3 oral exam rewards communication over perfection. Speak in full sentences, connect your points, and do not be afraid to elaborate. Practise aloud, record yourself, and train with follow-up questions — then you can walk into the exam with confidence.
Want to practise the oral part with real exam-style tasks and feedback? Download Bestå free on iOS and Android.