Free Practice Questions for Sweden Physiotherapist Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter)

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Key Facts: Sweden Physiotherapist Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter) Exam

4 areas

Patient case areas: neurology incl. geriatrics, breathing and circulation, musculoskeletal health, mental ill-health

Karolinska Institutet

No MCQ

The official test is written case answers, an oral examination and a practical test

Karolinska Institutet

5 / 3

Maximum attempts: five for the theoretical part, three for the practical part

Socialstyrelsen

SEK 990

Socialstyrelsen application fee for review of the foreign education (step 1)

Socialstyrelsen

Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter is run by Karolinska Institutet for Socialstyrelsen: written answers on patient cases in four areas, an oral examination and a practical test, judged pass/fail against published criteria. Candidates have up to five theoretical and three practical attempts within five years. The test is in Swedish; this 100-question bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation — not an official translation, format simulation, or substitute for writing/speaking/performance practice.

Sample Sweden Physiotherapist Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Sweden Physiotherapist Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 48-year-old patient presents to an outpatient primary care physiotherapy clinic (primärvård) with acute low back pain that began two days ago. During the subjective assessment, the patient reports progressive numbness around the perineum and buttocks (saddle anesthesia / ridbyxeanestesi), difficulty voiding urine, and bilateral leg weakness. What is the physiotherapist's mandatory immediate action?

A.Refer the patient immediately to the emergency department (akutmottagning) due to suspected cauda equina syndrome

B.Perform gentle central lumbar Maitland mobilizations grade I-II to reduce intradiscal pressure

C.Prescribe an active stabilization home exercise program and schedule a follow-up assessment in 48 hours

D.Initiate high-velocity low-amplitude thrust manipulation to the lower lumbar spine to decompress the nerve roots

Explanation: Saddle anesthesia (ridbyxeanestesi), urinary retention or incontinence, and bilateral neurological deficits in the lower extremities are classic red flag symptoms of acute cauda equina syndrome. Cauda equina syndrome is a surgical emergency that requires immediate referral to an emergency department for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and urgent neurosurgical decompression to prevent permanent sphincter and motor dysfunction. Any manual therapy or delay in specialist referral is strictly contraindicated.

2A 42-year-old carpenter has lateral shoulder pain that worsens with overhead activity. Hawkins-Kennedy and Neer tests are positive, there is a painful arc between 60° and 120° of abduction, passive range of motion is full, and resisted rotator cuff tests are painful without marked weakness. What is the recommended first-line physiotherapy for this subacromial pain (subakromiell smärta)?

A.Complete rest with sling immobilization for 3 weeks followed by passive ultrasound therapy

B.A structured progressive exercise program targeting rotator cuff and scapular stabilizing musculature

C.Immediate referral for subacromial decompression surgery (akromioplastik)

D.Continuous passive motion (CPM) combined with high-dose therapeutic transcutaneous electrical stimulation alone

Explanation: Current evidence and Swedish clinical guidance recommend structured, progressive exercise therapy for the rotator cuff and scapular muscles as the first-line treatment for subacromial pain. Randomized trials show that subacromial decompression surgery gives no more benefit than exercise or placebo surgery for most patients. Rest, passive modalities and early surgery are not recommended as first-line care.

3A 64-year-old woman is referred to physiotherapy with bilateral knee pain, activity-related joint stiffness lasting under 30 minutes in the morning, and crepitus on knee flexion. In Sweden, what constitutes the core first-line treatment program according to the national BOA program (Bättre omhändertagande av patienter med artros)?

A.Knee arthroscopy with joint lavage and debridement within 4 weeks of symptom onset

B.Routine prescription of intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections combined with magnetic resonance imaging

C.Patient education (artrosskola), individualized exercise therapy, and weight management advice when applicable

D.Strict non-weight-bearing crutch ambulation for 6 weeks followed by passive laser therapy

Explanation: The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) and the national BOA initiative establish that first-line osteoarthritis care consists of three core pillars: structured patient education (artrosskola), individualized supervised or guided physical exercise, and weight management support for individuals with overweight or obesity. Radiographic confirmation is not mandatory before initiating core conservative treatment, and joint debridement arthroscopy is strongly discouraged for degenerative knee osteoarthritis.

4During a cervical spine examination of a 45-year-old office worker with radiating right arm pain, the physiotherapist performs Spurling's test (maximal cervical compression test). Which biomechanical mechanism and patient response indicate a positive test result for cervical radiculopathy?

A.A transient sensation of electrical shock traveling down the spine into both legs during passive cervical flexion

B.Relief of localized posterior neck stiffness during passive cervical flexion and contralateral rotation

C.Dizziness, nystagmus, and diplopia provoked by cervical extension and prolonged rotation

D.Reproduction of radiating arm pain during extension, ipsilateral side-bending and axial compression

Explanation: Spurling's test narrows the neural intervertebral foramen by combining cervical extension, lateral flexion toward the involved side, and axial compression. A positive test is characterized by the reproduction of familiar radicular (shooting or dermatomal) pain into the ipsilateral arm, confirming cervical nerve root involvement. It has high specificity for cervical radiculopathy.

5A 21-year-old floorball player sustained a non-contact knee injury with a sudden deceleration and pivoting maneuver, feeling a distinct 'pop' followed by rapid hemarthrosis within two hours. Which physical examination test possesses the highest clinical sensitivity for detecting an acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL / främre korsband) rupture?

A.Lachman test

B.Anterior drawer test at 90° flexion with hamstrings contracted

C.Apley grind test

D.Patellar apprehension test

Explanation: The Lachman test performed at 20° to 30° of knee flexion is widely recognized as the most sensitive manual examination test for acute ACL tears (sensitivity ~85-95%). At 20-30° of flexion, the secondary restraint of the posterior joint capsule and menisci is minimized, allowing clear appreciation of anterior tibial translation and end-feel quality. The anterior drawer test at 90° often yields false negatives acutely due to hamstring spasm and hemarthrosis.

6A 46-year-old recreational runner has had gradual pain and morning stiffness in the mid-portion of the left Achilles tendon for 3 months, with a tender spindle-shaped thickening 3–5 cm above the insertion. Ultrasound shows tendinopathy without rupture. Which approach is the core evidence-based rehabilitation?

A.Strict ankle cast immobilization for 6 weeks followed by passive deep friction massage

B.Progressive tendon loading, e.g. heavy slow resistance or eccentric calf training (Alfredson)

C.Immediate high-energy open surgical tenotomy without prior exercise therapy

D.Therapeutic ultrasound three times weekly combined with complete cessation of all lower extremity weight-bearing

Explanation: Evidence-based management of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy centers on progressive mechanical loading, either through the classic Alfredson eccentric loading protocol or Heavy Slow Resistance (HSR) training. Controlled tendon load stimulates collagen synthesis, improves tendon structure, and normalizes mechanical load tolerance. Complete rest and immobilization are detrimental, leading to further tendon catabolism, muscle atrophy, and reduced tensile strength.

7A 53-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes presents with severe, constant left shoulder pain of 6 weeks' duration that wakes her at night. Clinical examination reveals marked loss of passive and active glenohumeral external rotation, abduction, and internal rotation with severe end-range pain, consistent with the freezing (inflammatory) stage of adhesive capsulitis (frusen skuldra). What is the most appropriate physiotherapy management strategy during this acute phase?

A.High-intensity plyometric upper extremity resistance training to restore dynamic power

B.High-grade end-range passive stretching and forceful joint manipulation into pain to tear capsular adhesions

C.Education, pain relief and gentle pain-free active-assisted movement, avoiding forceful stretching

D.Immediate referral for open capsular release and manipulation under general anesthesia

Explanation: In the initial freezing (inflammatory) stage of adhesive capsulitis, synovitis is prominent and pain levels are high. Physiotherapy management focuses on patient education (explaining the natural history), pain control, gentle pain-free active-assisted mobility, and activity modification. Aggressive, forceful end-range stretching and manipulation into pain aggravate synovial inflammation and worsen pain and stiffness during this reactive stage.

8A 36-year-old warehouse worker presents with sharp pain radiating down the posterior-lateral aspect of the left thigh and calf into the dorsum of the foot and great toe. On neurological examination, which specific motor deficit, sensory deficit, and deep tendon reflex alteration correspond to an isolated L5 nerve root compromise?

A.Weakness of hip adductors, sensory loss over the medial groin, with an exaggerated cremasteric reflex

B.Weakness of gastrocnemius-soleus, reduced sensation along the lateral foot and sole, with an absent Achilles reflex

C.Weakness of quadriceps femoris, reduced sensation over the anterior knee, with an absent patellar reflex

D.Weak great toe extension, reduced sensation on the dorsum of the foot, no reliable reflex

Explanation: The L5 nerve root primarily innervates the extensor hallucis longus (EHL), extensor digitorum longus, and gluteus medius, and supplies the dermatome over the anterolateral leg and the dorsum of the foot (including the first web space). There is no reliable standard tendon reflex for L5 (the patellar reflex corresponds to L3-L4 and the Achilles reflex corresponds to S1). Weakness of great toe extension (EHL) is the hallmark motor sign of L5 radiculopathy.

9A 23-year-old female runner has insidious anterior knee pain provoked by prolonged sitting with bent knees, stairs and squatting, consistent with patellofemoral pain. Which active intervention has the strongest evidence?

A.Lateral retinacular release surgery as first-line treatment

B.Isolated electrotherapy (TENS and ultrasound) without any active loading exercises

C.Rigid knee brace in full extension for 4 weeks to unload the patella

D.Combined hip- and knee-strengthening exercises

Explanation: High-level scientific evidence and clinical consensus confirm that combining knee-targeted exercises (quadriceps strengthening) with hip-targeted exercises (gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and external rotators) is significantly superior to knee exercises alone or passive treatments for patellofemoral pain syndrome. Hip strengthening helps control excessive femoral internal rotation and adduction during functional tasks, reducing lateral patellofemoral joint stress.

10A 67-year-old male presents with deep groin pain and anterior thigh aching when walking. During physical examination of the hip, which active and passive range-of-motion restriction is typically the earliest and most sensitive clinical indicator of hip osteoarthritis (coxartros)?

A.Loss of internal rotation, especially when assessed at 90° of hip flexion

B.Loss of passive hip extension in the prone position with normal rotation

C.Isolated loss of hip adduction with excessive internal rotation

D.Complete loss of active ankle dorsiflexion during standing

Explanation: In hip osteoarthritis (coxartros), limitation and pain during passive internal rotation at 90° of hip flexion is characteristically the earliest and most sensitive clinical sign. The capsular pattern of the hip is classically described as marked restriction of internal rotation and flexion, followed by abduction, with relatively preserved external rotation and adduction until advanced stages.

About the Sweden Physiotherapist Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter) Exam

Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter is Socialstyrelsen's knowledge test for physiotherapists educated abroad who want a Swedish licence. Karolinska Institutet runs it as a case-based test in Swedish: written answers on patient cases, an oral examination and a practical demonstration of examination and treatment. This page offers independent English-language practice for the knowledge areas the cases draw on.

Exam sponsor: Karolinska Institutet on behalf of Socialstyrelsen (National Board of Health and Welfare). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Theoretical part: written answers on patient cases in four areas (neurology including geriatrics, breathing and circulation, musculoskeletal health, mental ill-health), followed by an oral examination on selected cases. Practical part: demonstration of examination and treatment.

Time Limit

Case answers prepared over a set period; oral and practical parts scheduled separately

Passing Score

Pass/fail against KI's assessment criteria; no percentage score

Exam / Certification Fees

No examination fee published (SEK 990 Socialstyrelsen application fee for the earlier education review)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Socialstyrelsen – Steg 2: Gör kunskapsprov (fysioterapeut utbildad utanför EU/EES) · Source checked 2026-10-14
Karolinska Institutet – Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter (booklet, assessment criteria and previous patient cases) · Source checked 2026-10-14
Socialstyrelsen – Regler vid kunskaps- och lämplighetsprov (2024-12-03) · Source checked 2026-10-14
FYSS – Fysisk aktivitet i sjukdomsprevention och sjukdomsbehandling · Source checked 2026-10-14

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30 practice questions

Musculoskeletal health

Assessment, red flags, tendinopathy, osteoarthritis, sports injuries and orthopaedic rehabilitation.

25 practice questions

Neurology including geriatrics

Stroke, Parkinson's disease, MS, spinal cord injury, vestibular and paediatric neurology, balance and falls.

20 practice questions

Breathing and circulation

Airway clearance, COPD, cardiac and intensive care physiotherapy, exercise testing and training.

15 practice questions

Pain, mental ill-health and behavioural medicine

Pain mechanisms, behaviour change, physical activity on prescription and multimodal rehabilitation.

10 practice questions

Legislation and ethics

Swedish health care law, patient records, reporting duties, ICF and hygiene.

Preparing for the Sweden Physiotherapist Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/fail against KI's assessment criteria; no percentage score
Assessment: Theoretical part: written answers on patient cases in four areas (neurology including geriatrics, breathing and circulation, musculoskeletal health, mental ill-health), followed by an oral examination on selected cases. Practical part: demonstration of examination and treatment.
Time limit: Case answers prepared over a set period; oral and practical parts scheduled separately
Exam / certification fees: No examination fee published (SEK 990 Socialstyrelsen application fee for the earlier education review) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Sweden Physiotherapist Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter): Suggested Study Strategy

1Read Karolinska Institutet's information booklet and assessment criteria, and work through the published patient cases.

2Practise structuring a case: assessment with valid and reliable instruments, physiotherapy diagnosis, SMART goals, intervention and evaluation.

3Support your reasoning with current evidence and Swedish guidance such as FYSS, BOA and national stroke and pain rehabilitation practice.

4Prepare for all four case areas, including mental ill-health and behavioural medicine, not only musculoskeletal health.

5Practise explaining your clinical reasoning aloud in Swedish for the oral examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Kunskapsprov för fysioterapeuter structured?

It has a theoretical and a practical part. According to Karolinska Institutet's information booklet, you first write answers to patient cases in four areas — neurology including geriatrics, breathing and circulation, musculoskeletal health and mental ill-health — and then discuss selected cases in an oral examination. The practical part is a demonstration of examination and treatment.

Is there a multiple-choice test?

No. The official test is case-based, oral and practical. This bank uses multiple-choice questions only as a way to review the knowledge the cases draw on.

Where can I see examples?

Karolinska Institutet publishes an information booklet, the assessment criteria and previous patient cases (for example breathing and circulation and musculoskeletal health cases from spring 2026) on its page for the test.

How many attempts do I get?

Five attempts at the theoretical part and three at the practical part, and the whole test must be passed within five years of your first sitting. If you do not cancel before the test starts, the attempt counts as used.

Is the test available in English?

No. The test is in Swedish. This bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation: it helps you review the knowledge areas but is not an official translation, and it cannot simulate the written case answers, the oral examination or the practical test.