All Dutch Exams
All foreigners who would like to live in The Netherlands for a longer period need to pass the inburgering exam within 3 years. Furthermore you have the Basic Exam (before applying for a long-term visa) and the State Exams for the higher levels. There are several exams for different levels and purposes. This can make it all very confusing. Which different inburgering exams are there and which inburgering exams do I need?
On this page we give you an overview of all the different Dutch exams and their characteristics.
Exam preparation
Would you like to prepare yourself for one of the Dutch exams? At Language Corner we have multiple group courses to prepare you for specific exams. We can also prepare you for a specific exam with private 1-on-1 lessons. You can find all the exam preparation courses on this page.
Different inburgering exams
1. Basisexamen inburgering
A1
The Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad (Basisexamen Inburgering in het buitenland) needs to be taken before you apply for the mvv (long-stay visa):
- About Dutch language & society
- Needs to be taken abroad
- Level exam: A1
- Costs exam: € 150,00
2. Inburgering exam
A2
The Civic Integration Examination (Inburgeringsexamen) needs to be passed within 3 years after arriving in The Netherlands:
- About Dutch language, society & labour market
- Needs to be taken at a central exam location in The Netherlands
- Level exam: A2
- Total costs all exams: € 290,00
3. Staatsexamen NT2 I
B1
The first State Exam Dutch as a Second Language NT2 (Staatsexamen NT2 I) is a national proficiency exam for the B1 level and recognised by the Dutch government:
- Language proficiency exam
- Needs to be taken at a central exam location in The Netherlands
- Level exam: B1
- Total costs all exams: € 180,00
4. Staatsexamen NT2 II
B2
The second State Exam Dutch as a Second Language NT2 (Staatsexamen NT2 I) is a national proficiency exam for the B2 level and recognised by the Dutch government:
- Language proficiency exam
- Needs to be taken at a central exam location in The Netherlands
- Level exam: B2
- Total costs all exams: € 180,00
1. Basisexamen Inburgering in het buitenland
If you would like to apply for a mvv (long-stay visa to live with your partner or spouse in The Netherlands), you first need to pass for the The Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad (Basis examen Inburgering in het buitenland).
- Level needed: A1
- Type of exam: computer exam
- Location: in your country of origin
- Costs: € 150,00
Content of the exam
The Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad consists of three parts:
1. KNS (Knowledge of the Dutch society)
2. Speaking
3. Reading
Location of the exam
You must take the examination at the Dutch embassy, consulate or agency in your country of origin or prolonged stay.
Type of exam
It is a computer exam. You will hear the questions through a headset and you must speak your answers into the attached microphone.
How to prepare?
First you will need to reach the Dutch A1 level. After reaching the A1 level, we advise you to prepare yourself for the exam. We offer the following courses and packages for this:
2. Inburgering exam
When you have a residence permit, you will need to pass the Civic Integration Exam (Inburgeringsexamen) within 3 years.
- Level needed: A2
- Type of exam: written & computer based examination
- Location: at a central exam location in The Netherlands
- Costs: € 290,00 in total
Contents of the exam
The Civic Integration Examination consists of seven parts:
1. Participation Statement
2. Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market (ONA)
3. Reading
4. Listening
5. Writing
6. Speaking
7. Knowledge of Dutch Society
Apart from the Participation Statement and the Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market (ONA), all parts can be taken at once.
The Participation Statement needs to be signed at the municipality. The ONA is a separate exam, which consists of assignments and a final interview (or a 64-hour ONA course).
Location of the exam
You must take the examination (apart from the Participation Statement and the ONA) at one of the 6 central exam locations in The Netherlands:
– Amsterdam
– Rotterdam
– Eindhoven
– Rijswijk
– Utrecht
– Zwolle
Type of exam
The parts Reading, Listening, Speaking and Knowledge of Dutch Society will be examined on a computer. For the Writing part you will use pen and paper.
How to prepare?
First you will need to reach the Dutch A2 level. After reaching the A2 level, we advise you to prepare yourself for the exam. We offer the following courses and packages for this:
-
Dutch beginners course A1:
35 hours | 7 weeks
Go to morning | evening | intensive course -
Dutch courses A2 (divided in two parts):
30 hours | 6 weeks (per part)
Go to morning | evening | intensive course -
Private lessons:
1-on-1 online sessions to prepare in the best possible way
Go to overview packages
3. Staatsexamen I (B1)
The State Exam NT2 I (Staatsexamen I) is the national proficiency exam for the level B1, for non-native speakers who want to study or work in The Netherlands. The exam is officially recognised by the government.
- Level needed: B1
- Type of exam: computer based examination
- Location: at a central exam location in The Netherlands
- Costs: € 180,00 in total
Contents of the exam
The State Exam NT2 I (B1) consists of four parts:
1. Reading
2. Listening
3. Writing
4. Speaking
Location of the exam
You must take the examination at one of the 6 central exam locations in The Netherlands:
– Amsterdam
– Rotterdam
– Eindhoven
– Rijswijk
– Utrecht
– Zwolle
Type of exam
All the aspects will be examined on a computer.
How to prepare?
First you will need to reach the Dutch B1 level. After reaching the B1 level, we advise you to prepare yourself for the exam. We offer the following courses and packages for this:
-
Dutch beginners course A1:
35 hours | 7 weeks
Go to morning | evening | intensive course -
Dutch courses A2 (divided in two parts):
30 hours | 6 weeks (per part)
Go to morning | evening | intensive course -
Dutch courses B1 (divided in two parts):
30 hours | 6 weeks (per part)
Go to course -
Private lessons:
1-on-1 online sessions to prepare in the best possible way
Go to overview packages
3. Staatsexamen II (B2)
The State Exam NT2 II (Staatsexamen II) is the national proficiency exam for the level B2, for non-native speakers who want to study or work in The Netherlands. The exam is officially recognised by the government.
- Level needed: B2
- Type of exam: computer based examination
- Location: at a central exam location in The Netherlands
- Costs: € 180,00 in total
Contents of the exam
The State Exam NT2 II (B2) consists of four parts:
1. Reading
2. Listening
3. Writing
4. Speaking
Location of the exam
You must take the examination at one of the 6 central exam locations in The Netherlands:
– Amsterdam
– Rotterdam
– Eindhoven
– Rijswijk
– Utrecht
– Zwolle
Type of exam
All the aspects will be examined on a computer.
How to prepare?
First you will need to reach the Dutch B2 level. After reaching the B1 level, we advise you to prepare yourself for the exam. We offer the following courses and packages for this:
-
Dutch beginners course A1:
35 hours | 7 weeks
Go to morning | evening | intensive course -
Dutch courses A2 (divided in two parts):
30 hours | 6 weeks (per part)
Go to morning | evening | intensive course -
Dutch courses B1 (divided in two parts):
30 hours | 6 weeks (per part)
Go to course -
Dutch course B2:
30 hours | 7 weeks
Go to course -
Private lessons:
1-on-1 online sessions to prepare in the best possible way
Go to overview packages
My two week course learning A2 Dutch at Language Corner in Amsterdam has definitely gone beyond my expectations. Fantastic classes mixing the didactic aspect of a course and the fun part of learning a new language. Het was fantastisch!