Inburgering exam A2: what to expect and how to pass

The inburgering exam A2 is the set of DUO exams that tests Dutch at CEFR level A2, sometimes called "survival Dutch". At this level you can handle familiar, everyday situations: reading a letter from school, making an appointment, understanding a slow and clear conversation, filling in a form and writing a short email.

A2 is the level of the Dutch civic integration exam at A2 level that people obliged under the Wet inburgering 2013 must pass. It also plays a role under the 2021 law: if your municipality decides that B1 is not realistic for you after enough effort, it can lower your target to A2. In the Z-route, A2 exams are optional.

Unsure which level applies to you? Check Mijn Inburgering, your DUO letter or your PIP, and see our guide Which level do I need?.

Based on DUO information as of 2026. Formats can change, so check inburgeren.nl before your exam.

Part	Duration	Questions / tasks	How	Dictionary
Lezen	65 min	25 multiple-choice	Computer	Paper Van Dale NT2 allowed
Luisteren	45 min	25 multiple-choice on short videos and audio	Computer	Not allowed
Schrijven	40 min	4 tasks: one form and short texts such as emails or notes	Pen and paper	Paper Van Dale NT2 allowed
Spreken	About 35 min	4 parts: video questions, then tasks with 1, 2 and 3 pictures	Computer, microphone	Not allowed
KNM	45 min	40 multiple-choice with photos or short films	Computer	Not allowed

Lezen, Luisteren and KNM are marked by computer. Schrijven and Spreken are marked by trained assessors on task completion and comprehensibility, coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling or pronunciation.

DUO does not publish one fixed cut-off for every exam version, because versions differ slightly in difficulty. Practical targets that work well:

• Lezen: about 18 out of 25 correct.
• Luisteren: about 18 out of 25 correct.
• KNM: about 28 out of 40 correct.
• Schrijven and Spreken: no simple count. Make sure you complete every task and answer every point in it; an incomplete answer costs more than a grammar mistake.

In practice, aim a few points above these targets so a harder exam version does not catch you out. Each part is passed separately, and a part you have passed stays passed.

Reading is usually the part people feel most confident about, yet many lose points through time pressure rather than vocabulary. Good inburgering reading exam practice at A2 focuses on technique:

1. Read the question first. Then search the text for the part that answers it.
2. Watch for small words. Niet, geen, alleen, pas, nog can flip the meaning of a sentence.
3. Do not translate everything. You need the main point and the detail the question asks about, not every word.
4. Budget your time. 65 minutes for 25 questions is about two and a half minutes each. Skip and return to anything that takes longer.
5. Use the dictionary sparingly. It is allowed, but looking up every word will cost you the last questions.

You can practise Lezen at A2 with instant marking, or read the full Lezen guide.

Schrijven

The A2 writing exam is done on paper, so practise handwriting short texts, not only typing. Typical tasks: fill in a form, write a short email to a neighbour, colleague or school, or leave a note. Each task tells you what to include (for example: say why, suggest a time, ask a question). Tick off every point. Short, correct sentences are better than long, risky ones.

Spreken

You sit at a computer with a headset. Someone in a video asks you a question, or you see one, two or three pictures and must describe, compare or explain what you would do. Speak in full sentences, give a reason with omdat or want, and keep going rather than stopping at one word.

Both skills benefit from feedback. On this site you can practise Schrijven and practise Spreken and get AI correction against the assessors' criteria. It is an estimate, not an official mark. See also the Schrijven guide and Spreken guide.

How long you need depends on your starting point, other languages you speak and how much time you have. As a rough orientation, people who already have some basic Dutch often get to A2 exam-ready in two to four months of regular study, while complete beginners need longer.

Phase	Focus
Week 1	One timed mock exam per part to find your weakest skills
Weeks 2–8	Daily 30–60 minutes: practice sets for weak parts, vocabulary from everyday themes, KNM themes
Weeks 9–11	Weekly full mock exams under time pressure; review every mistake
Final week	Official DUO practice exams once; light review; plan your journey

The 12-week study plan gives a detailed weekly schedule. For a complete inburgering practice exam at A2, try the timed mock exams, and use the mistakes review to revisit what you got wrong.