Tisus Preparation

What is Tisus?

TISUS (Test in Swedish for University Studies) is a nationally recognized language test designed for students who plan to apply to Swedish universities. It assesses whether a student has the Swedish language skills required for academic studies and is accepted as proof of proficiency by all universities in Sweden. The test covers three parts: reading comprehension, written production, and spoken interaction. TISUS corresponds to the B2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Anyone from the age of 15 can take the test.

Where is it administrated?

TISUS is administered by Stockholm University, specifically through its Department of Swedish Language and Multilingualism. The test is offered both in Sweden and at selected test centers abroad.

How do I sign up?

To sign up for the TISUS test, complete the web form and pay the registration fee on Stockholm University's official TISUS page. The test is offered twice yearly in Sweden and abroad. Ensure you register during the designated application period. There is no registration possible through the school.

Where do I write the test?

The test takes place in the Norwegian Seaman’s Church in San Francisco.

SSCC Tisus Preparation Course (December–May)

Our TISUS Preparation Course is ideal for students aged 16 and up who already have a solid foundation in Swedish and are ready to take the next step toward university-level proficiency. Running from December to May, the course is tailored to prepare students for the TISUS. It is required that the students have fluent oral skills, and reads and writes in Swedish.

What the course includes:

  • Academic Writing: Learn to plan, structure, and write a formal language and preparing the key text genres featured in the TISUS writing component.

  • Advanced Reading Comprehension: Develop strategies for quickly understanding academic texts, newspaper articles, and formal reports, with an emphasis on both overall meaning and detailed analysis.

  • Vocabulary Building: Strengthen academic and subject-specific vocabulary, with a focus on the kinds of words and expressions used in higher education settings.

  • Verbal Communication: Practice spoken interaction through discussions, presentations, and structured debates on relevant social, cultural, and academic topics to build fluency, clarity, and confidence.

  • Test Strategies: Get familiar with the TISUS format, question types, and time constraints through mock exams and targeted practice to ensure you feel prepared on test day.

Location: Virtual teaching. One (optional) in-person meeting.

Dates: Fall semester 8/28/24-12/18/24. Spring semester 1/15/25-5/28/25.
No class on 11/27/24, 4/2/25.

Teacher: Anna-Karin Brazee

Testimonials

Edvin, 19, student spring 2023, Sophomore student in Industrial Engineering and Management at Linköping University, Sweden: The Tisus course was an excellent preparation for me ahead of the Tisus test. I’ve used Swedish my whole life, but mostly as everyday language at home, in short text messages, and when reading a few books. During the course, we read newspaper articles and more advanced texts. I expanded my vocabulary, and with the help of Swedish conjunctions and more elegant expressions, I became confident and was able to express myself in a more advanced way in both spoken and written Swedish. We received individualized support, which allowed all of us to improve based on our different starting points. Anna-Karin’s feedback was clear, and she encouraged me to trust my language intuition.

Marie, 18, student 23/24, Freshman student in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at UC Berkeley: The Tisus course has been an incredible opportunity for me to improve my academic level of Swedish and has helped me identify more strongly with my Swedish heritage. Taking part of the weekly classes, I was able to improve my writing skills, especially grammar and vocabulary, through extensive writing and immediate feedback on my essays. I have felt closer to my Swedish heritage since taking this class and would recommend it as Anna-Karin’s inputs, suggestions on writing and engaging teaching methods really evoked an excitement for learning. 

Agnes, 19, student 24/25, Freshman student in Computer Science at Chalmers University, Sweden: The Tisus preparation course helped me above all to write a good and formal essay for the written part of the Tisus test. Before the course, I didn’t really understand how to study for Tisus, but during the course we got structure and helpful exercises that showed how to think and answer correctly during the test. What I especially appreciated was the individual time with the teacher at the end of each class where I got a chance to ask questions and get feedback and tips. 

Alex, 19, student spring 2023, Freshman student in Machine Engineering at San Diego State University: In the spring of 2023, I took the Tisus Preparation Course at The Scandinavian School, and the course helped me build my vocabulary and strengthen my understanding of sentence structure. The Tisus course was also an opportunity for me to speak Swedish regularly with other young people - something I rarely did otherwise. And it was fun! For me, the Tisus course made the difference between my Swedish being “good for someone living abroad” and people in Sweden now not realizing that I’ve never actually lived there.

Sign up now!

Swedish 16-10 with Tisus Preparation (FULL), Online, 16-20 years 
Wednesdays 6.30-8 pm
Course duration: August, 2025 – May, 2026

Tisus Preparation Course (open for sign up) Online, 16-20 years, Wednesdays 4.30pm-6 pm
Course duration: December 3, 2025 – April 29, 2026

Tisus tests in the school year 25/26

  • Tuesday October 21, 2025 (registration: 06/23-08/29)

  • Tuesday May 5, 2026 (registration: 01/05-03/13)