Mastering the PD3 exam: A key step in Danish language education

One part of integrating into Danish society is knowing Danish. Although you can get by with English in Denmark, it is always better to start learning the local language as soon as possible.

Photographs: Pexels

Text: Natália Šepitková

I started attending a language school two years after moving to Denmark (maternal duties delayed me a bit from enrolling in a language course). After two years of intensive Danish study, I was ready to take the PD3 exam. The five modules in the language school prepared me for the exam, which is necessary, for example, for applying for Danish citizenship or passing the sixth module and Studieprøven (the specific language exam for the study), which entitles you to study at a university in the Danish language.

Rules and conditions

Starting your Danish education is a straightforward process. Upon arrival in Denmark, you must be over 18 to be eligible for the official Danish education. To begin, you'll need to pay a deposit of DKK 2,000 (2024 rate) directly to your chosen language school, which is usually operated by or partnered with the municipality. This deposit is refundable if you pass the module tests within the specified timeframe. The Danish education offer is valid for up to 5 years from the start of your education.

The official Danish education is offered in three types: Danish courses 1, 2, and 3, each designed to be completed within a 3-year timeframe. The structure and content of each program vary, and you'll be placed in the program that best aligns with your existing language skills and learning needs. You are allowed to start your education journey once the municipality has referred you to a language centre and the language centre has assigned you to the appropriate education module.

Each Danish education is structured into modules. To progress to the next module, you must pass the module test. Upon completing all the modules in the course, you will take the final exam, which could be the PD3 exam, the PD1 exam, or the PD2 exam, depending on the type of education you're pursuing.

"The Danish education offer is valid for up to 5 years from the start of your education."

Useful pieces of advice

If you are determined to learn Danish and want to progress as quickly as possible, it is essential to dedicate yourself to learning the language regularly and daily. Many students fail by not attending classes often or not preparing for class. If I had to share valuable advice with you, I would recommend regular attendance, doing homework, and writing down grammar rules and new vocabulary. It is scientifically proven that human memory and brain work more efficiently when visual perception and handwriting are combined.

Watching movies, series, or documentaries in Danish with Danish subtitles and reading news, texts, and books in Danish also helped me a lot with my language progress. I started with books from the language centre library. I was borrowing short novels according to language level. Although they were often dull stories, they improved my vocabulary. To understand new words, in addition to classic bilingual dictionaries, I usually used the Danish explanatory dictionary Den Danske Ordbog, which is also available as a mobile application.

A good tip is to practice the so-called small talk daily, but I didn't have enough opportunities. This explains my continuing inadequacies in having a fluent and witty conversation in Danish. But at least I still have the motivation to continue learning.

What the PD3 exam looks like

The PD3 exam has evolved over the years, with occasional updates. The exam structure for May - June 2024 was as follows: The exam is divided into two parts - written and oral, with a gap of about a month between them.

The written part is the first phase, comprising two sections – Reading Comprehension 1 and 2 (Læseforståelse) and Written Presentation (Skriftlig fremstilling). Each section lasts approximately two hours, with a break in between. The written Presentation can be more demanding, as it requires a broad vocabulary, a firm grasp of grammar, and the ability to express ideas, argue, explain, and opine on various topics in writing. The advantage is that dictionaries are permitted during this part.

The oral part has two tasks: a presentation about a topic, which the examinee receives before the exam and can prepare for at home. The other task is an interview with the examinator about the topic chosen directly in the exam. Examiners usually value fluent speaking, correct reactions, sufficient vocabulary, and grammatical correctness of speech during oral exams. Although correct pronunciation is essential, it is not so crucial in the PD3 exam because it is assumed that a foreigner cannot speak with the proper Danish accent after a few years in Denmark.

Although I was initially apprehensive about this exam, the PD3 exam can be passed quite well with a disciplined approach to studying. So, go for it! I cross my fingers for you.