The staatsexamen Nt2 (state exam)

Programma I and Programma II

• Programma I is level B1. It is for people who want to work or study at mbo level 3 or 4 (secondary vocational education).
• Programma II is level B2. It is for people who want to work or study at hbo or university level (higher education).

You do not have to take Programma I first. Choose the level that suits you.

The four parts

The state exam has 4 parts: writing, speaking, reading and listening. You take all parts on a computer. You register for each part separately.

• Reading: texts in a booklet and multiple choice questions on the computer. 110 minutes (Programma I) or 100 minutes (Programma II).
• Listening: about 40 multiple choice questions with recordings and short videos. 90 minutes.
• Writing: different writing tasks that you type. 100 minutes.
• Speaking: you speak into a microphone to the computer. About 25 minutes.

You get the diploma when you pass all four parts.

The state exam and your civic integration

Do you follow the B1 route or the education route of the Wet inburgering 2021? Then you take the language exams at level B1, with the staatsexamen Nt2. Your PIP (Plan Inburgering en Participatie, your personal plan) says whether you take Programma I or Programma II.

In the Z route you do not take the staatsexamen Nt2.

Do you integrate under the Wet inburgering 2013? Then you may also integrate at B1 or B2. You then take the staatsexamen Nt2 instead of the language exams of the civic integration exam.

Do you already have the diploma, or parts of it at B1 or B2? Then you can get an exemption for those parts in the civic integration exam at A2.

Registering and the exam day

• You register with DUO. DUO also handles the payment.
• You take the exam at one of the six exam locations in the Netherlands. You get the result from DUO.
• Bring a valid ID and your letter of invitation (oproepbrief). You get this letter from DUO about 12 days before the exam.
• Be on time. If you are late, you may not enter the exam room.
• For reading and writing you may only use the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2), a pocket dictionary. For listening and speaking you may not use a dictionary.
• Did you fail a part? Then you can take it again. You can register again only after you have the result.

Official practice exams

The practice environment of the staatsexamen Nt2 only works well on a computer or laptop. Single tasks from the practice environment can also be in the real speaking and writing exams.

• Practice exams and practice tasks for B1 and B2 (opens in a new tab)