Exam information
Dutch Integration and NT2 Exams
A clear starting point for A1, A2, B1 and B2 exams. Check your personal requirements, find the right registration route and choose focused practice.
Start with your route
- A1
A1 exam abroad
The basic civic integration exam is taken outside the Netherlands by some applicants before they travel. Check your residence application instructions to see whether it applies to you.
- A2
A2 civic integration exams
Many integration candidates take language exams at A2 and knowledge exams. Your required parts and any other tasks depend on your integration law and personal plan.
- B1 · B2
B1 or B2: State Exam NT2
The Dutch State Exam NT2 has two programmes: Programme I is B1 and Programme II is B2. Both assess reading, listening, writing and speaking.
What the exams cover
Reading
Understand written Dutch, from short everyday texts to longer texts at higher levels.
Listening
Follow spoken Dutch and identify the information a question asks for.
Writing
Write for a purpose, such as completing a form or communicating in Dutch.
Speaking
Give spoken answers in Dutch; the tasks and level depend on your exam.
KNM
Knowledge of Dutch society. Whether this or another knowledge or participation task applies depends on your route and plan.
How to find the exams you need
Use the official letter and your Mijn Inburgering account as your checklist. If you follow the 2021 law, your municipality’s personal integration and participation plan (PIP) records your learning route and exam requirements. Older cases can follow different rules.
Plan your next step
For A2 language exams and knowledge exams such as KNM, registration is generally arranged through Mijn Inburgering. B1 and B2 language exams use the State Exam NT2 registration service. Municipal participation tasks are arranged with your municipality. Read the current instructions before choosing a date or paying.
Choose your practice
Once you know your required level and exam parts, browse practice by level and skill. Work on one part at a time, review what was difficult, then try again.
Browse practice optionsGuides for common exam questions
Registration and exam day
Book an A2 exam: check your requirements and options
Check your personal exam list first, then follow the right booking route for A2, KNM, ONA, NT2, or municipal activities.
Read guideA2 exam results: book a resit with DUO (Dutch education service)
Use the latest result to identify any A2 component still outstanding. Check its resit process and timing, and keep labour-market requirements separate from language exams.
Read guideAdjustments for illness or disability
If a standard exam setup creates a barrier, ask the provider about suitable arrangements early. The available adjustment and supporting evidence vary by exam and circumstance.
Read guideExam locations
Exam venues depend on the component: some appointments are abroad, others are at Dutch test centres, and municipal activities use local arrangements. Confirm your own location in advance.
Read guideWhen results arrive
Each provider uses its own result process. Find where your exam outcome will appear, what wait to expect, and what to do if the published period passes.
Read guideExam-day checklist
Use the invitation and the provider’s instructions to prepare for your appointment. Check identity requirements, arrival details, and what is allowed for your specific exam.
Read guideRegister for the A1 exam abroad
When the A1 exam abroad is required, registration and appointment scheduling are separate steps. Check the responsible service, location, payment, and availability before planning travel.
Read guideA1 result validity and next steps
Keep the result notice for the A1 exam abroad and check its validity against your application timeline. The exam result is one item in a wider residence process.
Read guideNT2 results and resits
For Programme I or II, use the NT2 result service to see which components you passed. Resit registration follows a separate process from the A2 integration exams.
Read guideDiplomas and proof after passing
The document you receive depends on the exam and route you completed. Identify its issuer and keep the digital record available for later applications or study.
Read guideAfter passing the exam abroad: organise your next steps
After passing the exam abroad, keep the result details and check what the next application requires. Passing the exam alone does not complete every residence step.
Read guideRegister for the State Exam NT2
Register for the NT2 programme and components that match your requirement. Check the current locations, dates, payment method, and change rules before confirming.
Read guideLog in to Mijn Inburgering: where to start
Use the official portal to review personal integration information. Sign in with DigiD and follow the account-recovery process if the login itself fails.
Read guideWhere to register for each Dutch integration exam
The registration service depends on which exam you need. Identify the component and level first, then follow the provider’s current booking and payment instructions.
Read guideState Exam NT2 day: arrive prepared
Prepare for an NT2 appointment using the call letter and current centre rules. Plan travel, bring accepted identification, and check restrictions on personal items.
Read guideAfter the A1 exam: connect the result to your MVV application
Passing the A1 exam abroad is only one stage of some MVV applications. Coordinate the result with the sponsor’s application and check the relevant validity dates.
Read guideMissed or need to change an integration exam appointment?
If you cannot attend, first identify the exam provider and the notice period that applies. The available change or refund options differ between exam types.
Read guideMijn Inburgering login problems: a short troubleshooting path
Separate DigiD account issues from errors inside the DUO portal. Record the message and use the support route that matches the problem.
Read guide
Integration rules
2013 Inburgering (civic integration) loans and fines cancelled for asylum-status holders
Loan and fine relief depends on whether your duty began under the 2013 or 2021 system and on your residence category. Check refunds and family-member conditions separately.
Read guideFailed the inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) more than once: your options
After several unsuccessful attempts, review which parts remain and how much time is left. Your legal route determines whether extra support, an extension, or a waiver may be considered.
Read guideDUO (Dutch education service) loan for inburgering (civic integration): who can borrow?
Funding depends on your status and route. Review eligible course and exam charges, the loan decision, and how repayment works before agreeing to a school contract.
Read guideExemptions from integration exams
A diploma, previous result, health condition, or another circumstance may affect a particular requirement. Check the legal route and evidence rules for the exemption you are considering.
Read guideExam fees and costs
Budget for exam attempts and learning costs separately. Current fees, payment support, and who pays can differ by route, so verify them before booking or signing up.
Read guideWhich integration law applies to you?
The date your integration duty began is a key clue to the governing law. Confirm it in your official file, then check how that law shapes your route and tasks.
Read guideWhat to check in your PIP
Read your personal plan alongside DUO letters and portal records. Check the route, level, agreed activities, dates, and who to contact when something needs correction.
Read guideAfter a DUO integration letter
Start with the decision date and instructions in your letter. Your next actions may involve DUO, the municipality, or both, depending on the law and route.
Read guideParticipation tasks
Participation can mean different activities under different integration systems. Use your plan to identify the task, organiser, attendance rules, and completion record.
Read guideFind your required exam parts
Build your checklist from your personal record rather than a general exam list. Check the law, route, level, decisions, and any exemptions before registering.
Read guideIntegration obligation
An integration duty does not apply in the same way to everyone. Residence purpose, age, nationality, education, and exemptions can all matter; check the official decision for your case.
Read guidePVT: Participation Declaration Process
The municipality explains whether the participation declaration process applies and how to finish it locally. Check the relevant law, required activity, and deadline in your plan.
Read guideMAP: Labour Market and Participation
MAP is organised through the municipality for people on applicable 2021-law routes. Your plan and local instructions describe the activities and how completion is recorded.
Read guideONA exemption
ONA is relevant only to certain 2013-law or voluntary cases. Confirm that it appears in your file, then compare your circumstances with the exemption criteria.
Read guideMedical exemption
A health condition may lead to an exam adjustment, more time, or a formal waiver. These options have different tests, so identify the one that fits your situation.
Read guideCan you skip the A1 exam abroad?
Some applicants may not need the A1 exam abroad, but eligibility depends on the residence route and personal evidence. Check the rule before paying or scheduling.
Read guideWho may get free integration exam attempts?
Payment for an exam attempt can depend on your route, status, component, and previous bookings. Verify your eligibility before choosing a date.
Read guideONA portfolio: prepare for the next step
If ONA is required, begin by checking for an exemption. Otherwise prepare the portfolio carefully, then follow the approved course or interview path.
Read guideIntegration exam FAQ: start with your official record
Answers about levels, deadlines, costs, and required parts depend on your official case. Use your DUO record and municipal plan to find the right next contact.
Read guideWhat to raise when your municipality sets your PIP
Share practical information that could affect your participation when the municipality discusses your personal plan. Review the written agreements and ask about updates.
Read guideIntegration evidence for a more secure residence permit
For a permanent residence application, the required integration proof depends on your residence category and case. Check the current accepted documents before applying.
Read guideCan an NT2 diploma count for naturalisation?
A full NT2 diploma may be accepted for the language requirement in some naturalisation cases. Confirm the current rules and whether your component results count as a complete diploma.
Read guideWhat to do if you receive an integration fine letter
If a fine notice arrives, compare its reason and deadline with your official route and progress record. Use the response instructions in the letter if details seem wrong.
Read guideNaturalisation: prepare evidence for the integration requirement
Gather the integration documents relevant to your naturalisation route. Check the current municipal and IND requirements before booking an exam or appointment.
Read guideHow civic integration works after you arrive in the Netherlands
After arriving, confirm whether DUO has registered an integration duty and which law applies. Your official route determines who arranges learning, activities, and deadlines.
Read guide
Routes and levels
Dutch levels A1 to B2
A1 through B2 describe increasing independence in Dutch. Compare the skills expected at each level, then use your plan to confirm which exam level applies to you.
Read guideChoose NT2 B1 or B2
Programme I is set at B1 and Programme II at B2. Match the programme to the written requirement for your study, work, or integration goal.
Read guideA weekly study routine
A balanced week includes focused practice, review of mistakes, and time for the components you still need. Adjust session length to your schedule and energy.
Read guideWhat is the Z-route?
The self-reliance route combines practical Dutch learning with participation. Your municipality records the programme and completion requirements in your personal plan.
Read guideThe education route: language and further study
The education route links Dutch study with preparation for further education. Check the programme, target level, and exams recorded in your own plan.
Read guideThe B1 route: Dutch for work and participation
The B1 route combines language development with participation and preparation for work. Your personal plan sets the learning path and exam expectations.
Read guideCan your integration route change?
A route review may be relevant when progress, study plans, or personal circumstances change. Discuss the situation with the municipality before changing your study or exam plan.
Read guideWhen can a B1 route use A2 exams?
Some B1-route learners may be permitted to complete language exams at A2 after an official assessment. Ask the municipality how the decision affects your plan before booking.
Read guideIntegration deadline: check your date and extension options
Check the official start and end dates for your integration period. If circumstances may justify extra time, find the right request process and supporting evidence early.
Read guideChoose an integration school that fits your plan
Compare schools by fit with your route, current Dutch level, schedule, teaching support, and total price. First establish which organisation arranges or funds your course.
Read guideWhich Dutch exam fits your goal?
Different goals can involve different Dutch exams. Start with the authority’s letter or plan to identify the level and proof it accepts.
Read guideSelf-study or a language school: choose a workable mix
Choose a study mix that suits your available time, budget, level, and need for feedback. A short trial can reveal where independent practice stops being enough.
Read guideA2 or B1: how to understand the difference
A2 focuses on everyday exchanges; B1 asks for more connected communication. Your official route or application sets the required level, regardless of preference.
Read guideWhat Dutch levels did the first 2021-law cohorts reach?
The first published completion figures describe a defined cohort under the 2021 law. Read the group and reporting period before drawing conclusions about outcomes.
Read guideDutch listening exams: understand the level differences
Listening assessments become more demanding as texts, vocabulary, and reasoning grow. Compare the levels, then use material that matches your requirement.
Read guideDutch writing exams: compare A2, B1 and B2
A2, B1, and B2 writing differ in task complexity and how ideas are developed. Practise with the format and level you are expected to take.
Read guideA2 exam: check which parts apply to you
Before preparing for A2, confirm that this level and each component belong to your case. Exemptions and different routes can change the checklist.
Read guideB1 route: organise practice for your exam parts
If your plan names the B1 route, verify its level and required parts first. Use official NT2 samples to learn the format and targeted exercises to build each skill.
Read guide
Figures and trends
Who is included in the integration statistics?
Demographic tables cover particular groups and years, not every person integrating in the Netherlands. Check how the dataset defines its population.
Read guideHow do integration and employment figures compare?
Employment and completion figures can illuminate group patterns, but only when cohort and observation period are comparable. Read those definitions before comparing results.
Read guideFrom reception to a municipality: reading transition data
Statistics on the move from reception to municipal housing show stages that can shape when integration begins. Keep each transition and its time window distinct.
Read guideWhat do the integration route statistics show?
Route tables show how people are distributed across the main learning paths and how far they have progressed. Compare like cohorts and account for elapsed time.
Read guideWork and income after housing: what cohort data can tell you
Work and income data track groups after they receive housing. Treat the figures as population trends rather than a forecast of an individual learner’s path.
Read guideThe PIP timeline: legal deadline and reported waiting times
A statutory PIP deadline and reported waiting times measure different things. Check the start point for each before comparing the legal rule with observed data.
Read guideHow are integration routes assigned? What the data can and cannot say
Route data can show how decisions vary across groups, but it cannot explain an individual assessment. Read the cohort and category definitions before interpreting patterns.
Read guide
Exam practice
2013-law effort waiver: how the 600-hour rule works
Under the 2013 law, documented study and exam attempts may support an effort-based waiver. The conditions depend on your course path, so check them before applying.
Read guideOfficial exam practice
Use official mock materials to learn the task format and controls. Then add fresh practice that targets the skill and level named in your personal requirement.
Read guideReading exam strategy
Start each reading task by identifying what it asks you to find. Search the text for evidence, then check how surrounding details affect the answer.
Read guideA1 speaking practice
For A1 speaking, practise giving brief answers that fit the prompt. Record yourself, listen for clarity, and vary the details instead of memorising a script.
Read guideA2 picture speaking
Picture tasks reward a response that addresses the actual prompt. Practise describing relevant details, making a choice, and explaining a sequence in simple Dutch.
Read guideA2 listening after a missed word
If a word slips by during an A2 recording, keep following the conversation. Focus on the question, later clues, and any correction that changes the outcome.
Read guideA2 reading: find the evidence
For each A2 reading answer, locate the line or table entry that supports it. Pay attention to limits, dates, negation, and details that distinguish similar options.
Read guideA2 writing: final review
Before submitting an A2 response, compare it with every point in the prompt. Check that the reader can understand your message and the requested details are present.
Read guidePlan B1 writing
Use a brief outline to organise the required information before you write. Practise adapting the structure to different B1 prompts instead of learning a fixed response.
Read guideStructure B2 writing
Plan a B2 text around its purpose and reader. Group related ideas, make links clear, and save time to check that the task is fully answered.
Read guideRead long B1 texts
Long B1 texts are easier to navigate when you have a question to answer. Find supporting passages and read enough context to judge what they mean.
Read guideEvidence in B2 reading
B2 reading often turns on how a claim is supported or qualified. Trace the writer’s position, examples, opposing views, and conditions back to the passage.
Read guideDictionary rules for NT2
Dictionary rules and access can vary across NT2 components. Check the current exam instructions, and practise deciding when a lookup is worth the time.
Read guideA2 KNM: reason through a knowledge question
For a KNM item, identify the everyday situation and who is responsible for the next step. Use the topic clues to rule out answers that belong to another service.
Read guideA2 listening: catch the detail that matters
A2 recordings often include practical information such as a time, place, or changed arrangement. Read the question first and listen for the detail that resolves it.
Read guideB1 listening: take useful notes
Brief notes can help you keep track of the main point and supporting facts in B1 listening. Capture only information that helps answer the task.
Read guideB1 speaking: give a clear, complete answer
A direct answer followed by a reason or example is often enough to make a B1 response complete. Practise speaking clearly within the time available.
Read guideB2 speaking: structure an opinion
Organise a B2 opinion so listeners can follow the claim, reasons, and conclusion. Use short planning notes that leave room to respond to the exact prompt.
Read guideA1 speaking abroad: recognise the question type
A1 speaking includes prompts that ask for a personal answer and prompts that ask you to complete a sentence. Recognise the task before choosing your words.
Read guideA1 reading: find the key detail in everyday texts
Short A1 notices and messages contain practical clues. Practise spotting a time, place, instruction, or restriction that answers a simple question.
Read guideA1 KNS: organise society topics for revision
Group KNS revision into familiar society topics, then connect each group with useful Dutch words and examples. A simple map makes review easier.
Read guideA2 speaking: match your answer to the task
A2 speaking may use a video or pictures and ask you to respond in different ways. Decide whether you need to describe, choose, explain, or give a direct answer.
Read guideA2 writing: catch common answer problems
Review A2 writing for missed task points, unclear sentences, and basic form errors. A repeatable check helps you catch problems before time is up.
Read guideA2 writing: build a complete short message
A useful short message explains why you are writing, gives the information the reader needs, and makes the next step clear. Try the original model, then create your own.
Read guideB2 speaking practice: develop an argument
Build a B2 answer around a clear position and supporting reasons. These fresh prompts let you practise explaining how your points connect.
Read guideB2 writing practice: plan before drafting
Use original exercises to practise planning, drafting, and checking different B2 writing tasks. They support exam skills but are not official test items.
Read guideDutch reading exams: what changes from A1 to B2?
Reading tasks grow from short everyday texts to longer, more demanding material across A1–B2. Focus practice on the level named in your instructions.
Read guideA flexible 30-day Dutch exam study plan
Use the month-long schedule as a flexible framework. Prioritise required parts, revisit errors, and adjust the pace to your exam date and weekly availability.
Read guideB1 speaking practice: answer in a clear sequence
Practise a short response, review the recording, and try again with a new prompt. Focus on completing the task and connecting ideas clearly.
Read guideA2 speaking: fix answers that are too short or unclear
Common A2 speaking issues include missing part of the prompt or giving too little context. Review a recording for task fit, clarity, and useful detail.
Read guideB2 reading: test a claim against the text
Work through an original B2 text by separating its claim from the evidence and conditions. Use the passage to test which answer is supported.
Read guideOnline tools for Dutch exam preparation: choose carefully
Select a digital resource for a particular skill and check what feedback it offers. Official examples teach the format; other exercises can broaden practice.
Read guideDutch speaking exams: compare A1, A2, B1 and B2
Compare how speaking tasks change from brief A1 responses to more developed B2 answers. Use your official level to choose suitable practice.
Read guideKNM practice: reason from everyday situations
These newly written scenarios practise the reasoning used in KNM: identify the issue, the responsible organisation, and an appropriate next action.
Read guideA2 writing practice on paper: handle a task step by step
Practise completing short written tasks by hand, covering each requested point and checking legibility. The examples here are new practice material.
Read guideKNS A1: revise society themes with a simple study map
Review the seven KNS subject areas through everyday settings, images, and simple Dutch vocabulary. Connect terms to situations instead of studying lists alone.
Read guideOfficial A1 practice for the exam abroad: make a plan
Official A1 sample materials can help you learn task format and timing. Use them to find a skill gap, then revisit the topic with varied exercises.
Read guideOfficial A2 practice exams: choose a useful sequence
Choose the official mock that matches your A2 component. Use the outcome to decide what to review, while remembering it is practice rather than a formal result.
Read guidePrepare for the A1 exam abroad with a steady routine
Build A1 preparation around the speaking, reading, and society-knowledge components. Short regular sessions can help you identify gaps before an overseas appointment.
Read guideA1 reading practice: three short everyday tasks
Try fresh A1 notices and messages under a short timer. Look for the one practical detail each question asks you to find.
Read guideA2 writing examples: match the response to the purpose
Compare new A2 writing models by their purpose and audience. Notice which details make each response complete, then write a version of your own.
Read guideKNM: understand the format and organise the themes
Learn how the KNM format works and organise revision around its everyday society themes. Practise explaining which person or service fits a situation.
Read guideONA result cards: turn your experience into a portfolio
Prepare the ONA result cards from your own work and career experience. Follow the current evidence instructions and check whether an exemption applies before submission.
Read guide
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Official information
- DUO · PIP / Mijn Inburgering
- DUO · Welke examens
- DUO · KNM, ONA, MAP, PVT
- DUO · Register for the State Exam NT2
- DUO · Exam levels and required components
- DUO · Register for A2 and knowledge exams
- DUO · Official exam practice
- DUO · Exam fees and payment
Sources checked on 12 October 2026. Check the official page before booking or applying.