🇳🇴 Norway’s exam system shocked me last Thursday.

🇳🇴 Norway’s exam system shocked me last Thursday.

Their national exams? Decided by lottery.

This week, I visited Akademiet Oslo — a school where I’ve helped set up the Agora-linjen and continue to support the broader team, from facilitators to leadership.

They work with 16 to 18-year-old learners.

And last Thursday, something happened that left me stunned.

Learners found out whether — and which — national exams they’d be taking.

Not based on what they studied.
Not based on their growth.
But based on chance.

Here’s how it works — and Norwegian colleagues, feel free to correct me:

🎲 First years (VG1)
Only 20% are selected for exams.
Some Agora learners found out they’ll take a written exam in two weeks.
Others might be drafted for an oral one in June — but will only hear which subject it is 48 hours in advance.

🎲 Second years (VG2)
Everyone takes one exam — written or oral.
Some already know their subject.
The rest will face an oral exam in June… with just two days’ notice.

🎲 Third years (VG3)
All learners take three written exams and one oral exam —
…but the subjects? Still decided by lottery.

🗓 Written = within two weeks, and you’ve learned last week which one
🗓 Oral = June, 48-hour notice

For me, it feels like the individual learner is forced to prove the quality of their school.

If you happen to be drafted, and you don’t score high enough?
You have to go again.
If you’re not drafted? You’re free.

This isn’t meant as criticism — but it does make me wonder:

👉 What message does this system send about learning, growth, and trust?

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🇳🇴 Norway’s school system shocked me last Thursday…

Their national exams are based on a lottery!!

This week, I visited Akademiet Oslo — a school where I’ve helped set up the Agora-linjen and continue to support the wider team, from facilitators to leadership.

They work with 16 to 18-year-old learners.

And Thursday, something happened that left me stunned.

Learners found out whether and which national exams they’ll be taking.

Not based on what they studied.
Not based on their personal growth.
But based on a national lottery.

Here’s how it works — and Norwegian colleagues, feel free to correct me:

🎲 1st years (VG1)
Only 20% are selected for exams.
Some Agora learners found out they’ll have a written exam in two weeks.
Others? They might be drafted for an oral exam in June — but will only find out two days in advance which subject it’s for.

🎲 2nd years (VG2)
All of them take one exam — written or oral.
Some were drawn for a written one and already know the subject.
The rest? They’ll have an oral exam in June — but won’t know which subject until 48 hours before.

🎲 3rd years (VG3)
Everyone takes three written exams and one oral exam —
…but the subjects are still decided by lottery.

🗓 Written = within 2 weeks
🗓 Oral = in June with a 48 hours notice

For me it feels like individual students have to proof the quality of their school. The full school is of the hook - if you as an individual don’t score, you have to go again - but only if you’re drafted.

This isn’t about criticising the system. But it makes me wonder….