Bestå
The Danish 7-point scale (7-trinsskalaen)
Every part of PD3 — reading, writing and oral — is graded on the same national scale used across Danish education:
| Grade | Meaning | ECTS | Pass? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Excellent (fremragende) | A | ✓ |
| 10 | Very good (fortrinlig) | B | ✓ |
| 7 | Good (god) | C | ✓ |
| 4 | Fair (jævn) | D | ✓ |
| 02 | Adequate (tilstrækkelig) | E | ✓ lowest pass |
| 00 | Inadequate (utilstrækkelig) | Fx | ✗ |
| -3 | Poor (ringe) | F | ✗ |
How your final PD3 grade is calculated
PD3 has three parts with different weights — and the oral counts double:
Example: Reading 4, Writing 02, Speaking 4 → (4 + 2 + 2 × 4) ÷ 4 = 3.5 — passed. The same grades with Speaking 00 → (4 + 2 + 0) ÷ 4 = 1.5 — failed. That asymmetry is why the oral exam deserves the most preparation time.
Try your own numbers in the interactive PD3 score calculator — including the minimum speaking grade you need given your reading and writing results.
What level is PD3? (Hvad svarer dansk 3 til?)
Prøve i Dansk 3 is Denmark's official B2-level exam on the CEFR scale (Den Fælles Europæiske Referenceramme):
| Exam | CEFR level | Course track |
|---|---|---|
| Prøve i Dansk 1 (PD1) | ≈ A2 | Danskuddannelse 1 (DU1) |
| Prøve i Dansk 2 (PD2) | B1 | Danskuddannelse 2 (DU2) |
| Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) | B2 | Danskuddannelse 3 (DU3) |
| Studieprøven | C1 | After DU3 |
At B2 you are expected to understand complex texts, write structured and nuanced Danish, and hold an extended conversation including abstract topics and argumentation. For the full comparison with PD2, see the PD2 vs PD3 differences.
Failed a part? Retakes
You only retake the parts you have not passed — your other results remain valid. Register for the retake with your exam centre before the normal registration deadline for the next sitting.
Know your score before exam day
Practise all three PD3 parts in the Bestå app — real exam-format reading sets, AI-graded writing against the marking criteria, and an oral exam simulator. Start free.
Free on iOS & Android
Related PD3 guides
Frequently asked questions
What grade do I need to pass PD3?
You pass PD3 with a weighted average of at least 2.0 across the three parts: (Reading + Writing + 2 × Speaking) ÷ 4. Each part is graded on the Danish 7-point scale (12, 10, 7, 4, 02, 00, -3).
Does the oral exam count more than the others?
Yes — oral communication counts double in the PD3 average, while reading and writing count once each. A strong oral grade can compensate for a weak written grade, and vice versa.
What level is PD3 — what does dansk 3 correspond to?
Prøve i Dansk 3 is Denmark's official B2-level exam on the CEFR scale. PD2 corresponds to B1, PD1 to roughly A2, and Studieprøven to C1.
Is 02 a passing grade?
Yes. On the Danish 7-point scale, 02 (adequate) is the lowest passing grade; 00 and -3 are failing grades. Note that a 02 in one part does not by itself guarantee you pass PD3 — the weighted average must reach 2.0.
Do I need a minimum grade in each part for citizenship?
In some contexts — for example Danish citizenship — authorities require each individual part to score at least 02, not just a passing average. Requirements change over time, so check nyidanmark.dk for the current rules that apply to you.