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Fact check: What are the assessments and examinations required to win the Nobel Peace Prize?

Checked on August 30, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, the Nobel Peace Prize does not require traditional "assessments and examinations" in the academic sense. Instead, the process involves a structured eight-month screening and decision-making process [1]. The key evaluation components include:

  • Nomination phase: Only qualified individuals can submit nominations, including members of national assemblies, university professors, and former prize winners [2]
  • Short-list preparation: The Norwegian Nobel Committee creates a preliminary list of candidates [3]
  • Expert evaluation: The Nobel Committee's permanent advisers, together with other Norwegian or international experts, conduct assessments and examinations of the candidates on the short list [4] [3]
  • Final deliberations: The committee makes the ultimate decision after thorough review [1] [3]

The process is highly confidential, with nominations not made public for 50 years, which restricts available information about the specific evaluation criteria [3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question assumes there are formal "assessments and examinations" similar to academic or professional testing, but this framing misunderstands the Nobel Peace Prize selection process. Key missing context includes:

  • Political considerations: The selection process can be influenced by political factors, as evidenced by discussions about Donald Trump's potential candidacy, where at least three of the five Norwegian deciders have criticized him publicly [5]
  • Subjective evaluation criteria: Unlike standardized tests, the evaluation involves subjective judgment by experts and committee members about contributions to peace
  • Limited transparency: The 50-year confidentiality rule means the public cannot fully understand what specific criteria or methods are used in evaluations [3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains a fundamental misconception by using the terms "assessments and examinations" as if the Nobel Peace Prize follows an academic testing model. This framing could mislead people into thinking there are:

  • Standardized tests or formal examinations that candidates must pass
  • Objective, measurable criteria similar to academic assessments
  • A transparent evaluation process with published requirements

The reality is that the Nobel Peace Prize selection involves expert evaluations and reviews [4] rather than formal examinations, and the process is largely opaque to the public due to confidentiality requirements.

Want to dive deeper?
What is the role of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in selecting Nobel Peace Prize winners?
Can individuals nominate themselves for the Nobel Peace Prize?
What are the key factors considered by the Nobel Committee when evaluating Nobel Peace Prize candidates?
How does the Nobel Peace Prize nomination and selection process differ from other Nobel Prizes?
What is the timeline for the Nobel Peace Prize nomination and announcement process?