Failed the Swedish Citizenship Test – What Next?

How the Citizenship Test Works in Practice

The citizenship test is a national knowledge test about Swedish society, developed by the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) on behalf of the government. The test is part of the new rules for Swedish citizenship that will come into effect on June 6, 2026. The first test occasion is scheduled for August 15, 2026, in Stockholm, with more locations to open gradually.

According to UHR, the test consists of approximately 60 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 90 minutes. Each question has four answer options, where exactly one is correct. The test is written in Swedish and on paper in a supervised room. You are not allowed to bring a mobile phone, dictionary, or notes. There are no negative points, so it is always beneficial to answer all questions even if you are unsure.

Migrationsverket (the Swedish Migration Agency) is the authority that processes your citizenship application. Once your application is complete, you will receive an instruction letter stating when and where you should take the test. You cannot freely choose the time or location yourself – the instruction comes from Migrationsverket in collaboration with UHR's testing system.

After the test, you will be notified whether you have passed or not. If you fail, according to the proposal, you can retake the test at the next regular test occasion. A failed test does not mean that your citizenship application is immediately rejected – Migrationsverket always makes a comprehensive assessment that also considers residence requirements, an orderly lifestyle, and self-sufficiency requirements.

How Retesting Works

If you fail, you have the right to retake the test at the next regular test occasion. The retest is a new, complete test with new questions – they are not the same questions as last time.

The test is administered, according to UHR's plan, several times a year. New test locations are expected to open continuously, making it easier to find a suitable date. Check uhr.se for the current test calendar.

There is currently no public limit to how many times you can retake the test. However, each test attempt costs time and energy, so it's worth putting in thorough preparation between each attempt.

13 Knowledge Areas from “Sverige i fokus” (Sweden in Focus)

The test content is based on UHR's official educational material “Sverige i fokus” (Sweden in Focus). This material is open, free of charge, and divided into 13 clear knowledge areas. These broadly cover society – from the rules of democracy to everyday issues concerning welfare, work, and traditions. These are the same areas on which the questions in the actual test are based, making them your most important checklist.

The 13 areas are: The Country of Sweden, Modern Swedish History, How Sweden is Governed, Sweden's Democratic System, Political Elections and Parties, Law and Justice, Human Rights, The Role of Media, Secular State and Multi-religious Country, Sweden and the World, The Welfare Society, The Labour Market and Personal Finances, and Traditions and Holidays. Each area contains both fact-based questions and questions that test your understanding of how society functions.

At Medborgarprovet.com, we have built a dedicated module for each of these 13 areas. You can choose to first identify which area you are weakest in and then train specifically, or take a complete practice test with mixed questions from all areas – just like in the actual test.

A good benchmark is to allocate at least a few hours per knowledge area, with extra focus on Law and Justice, How Sweden is Governed, and The Welfare Society. These areas are often perceived as the most comprehensive because they contain many institutions, concepts, and dates.

Common Reasons for Failing

The most common reasons for failing are: 1) too narrow preparation, where only 4–5 out of 13 knowledge areas were studied, 2) too little practice with the multiple-choice format, leading to misinterpretations, 3) time pressure during the test, resulting in not being able to answer all questions, and 4) starting preparations too late – beginning to study two weeks before is rarely enough.

Another common reason is relying on outdated or incorrect practice questions. Therefore, always ensure your practice material is based on UHR's “Sverige i fokus” and is updated when the official material is updated.

On Medborgarprovet.com, after each practice test, you will see exactly which areas lowered your score – so you don't repeat the same mistakes on the retest.

How to Prepare with Medborgarprovet.com

Medborgarprovet.com is a private, independent practice service in Swedish. We are not a government agency and have no affiliation with UHR, Migrationsverket (the Swedish Migration Agency), or the government. Our mission is to make your preparation as simple, structured, and stress-free as possible so you can enter test day with confidence.

We recommend a simple three-week plan: week 1, focus on skimming all 13 module guides and taking short diagnostic tests. Week 2, intensely train on the modules where you scored lowest, with active repetition every day. Week 3, take at least three complete practice tests under timed conditions to get used to the pace of 60 questions in 90 minutes.

You can start for free: create an account and try our open practice questions immediately. If you want full access to the entire question bank, all module exercises, and complete test simulations, Premium costs 299 SEK as a one-time fee – no subscription, no commitment. The price is the same regardless of where in Sweden you live.

After each completed practice test, you will receive a detailed results view showing which knowledge areas you master and which need more practice. Your history is saved so you can track your progress over time and see when you are ready for the actual test.

How to Prepare Better for the Retest

Give yourself at least four weeks between the failed test and the retest. Use the first two weeks for focused area training on your two weakest knowledge areas. For the last two weeks, take at least five complete practice tests to build speed and confidence.

Set clear sub-goals. For example: “Week 1: 80 percent correct on the Law and Justice module. Week 2: 80 percent correct on How Sweden is Governed. Weeks 3–4: at least 75 percent correct on complete practice tests.”

Remember that the retest has the same format – 60 questions in 90 minutes. Always practice under timed conditions so that test day doesn't feel unfamiliar.

Official Sources and Next Steps

For official information on applications, waiting times, fees, and requirements, you should always contact Migrationsverket (migrationsverket.se) (the Swedish Migration Agency). For details on the test itself – content, times, test locations, and rules for retesting – UHR (uhr.se) (the Swedish Council for Higher Education) is the correct source. The government publishes propositions and assignments on regeringen.se, which is useful to monitor if you want to follow how the rules evolve.

Your next steps are typically: 1) Check that you meet the eight-year residence requirement, 2) read through UHR's “Sverige i fokus” (Sweden in Focus) overview, 3) create a free account here and take a diagnostic test to see where you stand, 4) create a weekly plan and stick to it, 5) take practice tests under timed conditions during the last week before the actual test.

Remember that the citizenship test is just one of several components in the citizenship application. Self-sufficiency requirements, an orderly lifestyle, and identity requirements are also assessed by Migrationsverket (the Swedish Migration Agency). You can start practicing even before you submit your application – the earlier you start, the calmer the final sprint will be.