Sweden holds first citizenship test as applicants report difficult questions

Sweden held its first citizenship civics test on Saturday.

Applicants in Stockholm found the exam harder than expected.

About 1,000 people took the exam at Stockholmsmässan in Älvsjö.

The Swedish Council on Higher Education organized the test.

Candidates studied an official preparation booklet called Sverige i Fokus.

UHR had stated the booklet contained all required information.

However, test takers said some questions required unlisted knowledge.

For example, questions asked about current and historical Swedish governments.

Examinees also faced difficult vocabulary not used in the study guide.

One question used the Swedish word for precipitation instead of rain.

Test language was meant for lower intermediate Swedish speakers.

Some applicants complained about unusual phrasing and missing topics.

They noted a lack of questions on gender equality and rights.

UHR has not set the pass rate for this first test.

Officials will decide the passing score after analyzing all test results.

Unsuccessful candidates in this round will get a second chance.

Press officer Dani Backteg said an analysis will happen this autumn.

Test takers can expect their final results in October.

This story was reported by local Swedish news outlet The Local.