# How the Luisteren exam works (A2 and B1)

URL: https://www.inburgeringklaar.nl/learn/luisteren/how-the-luisteren-exam-works
Course: Luisteren: the listening exam, step by step (https://www.inburgeringklaar.nl/learn/luisteren)
Level: A2 and B1
Publisher: Inburgeringklaar

> Understand the format, the timing and the 'played once' rule, and use your reading time well.

## Goals
- Describe the A2 and B1 listening exam formats
- Use the reading time before a fragment
- Keep going when you miss something

## Two different exams

Which listening exam you take depends on your route. Under the Wet inburgering 2013 most people take the **A2 inburgeringsexamen**. Under the Wet inburgering 2021 most people take **B1**, the **Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I**.

| | A2 Luisteren | B1 Luisteren (Staatsexamen NT2 I) |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 25 multiple choice | about 39 multiple choice |
| Time | 45 minutes | 90 minutes |
| What you hear | short video and audio fragments | audio and video fragments, some longer |
| Replay | assume you hear each fragment once | each fragment is played once |
| Pass mark | about 18 of 25 correct | scale score 500 |
| Dictionary | not allowed | not allowed |

The exam runs on a computer with a headset. The program controls the pace, so you can't pause or rewind a fragment.

## The rhythm of one item

Most items follow the same pattern:

1. **You see the question (and often the options).** This is your reading time.
2. **The fragment plays.** A conversation, a voicemail, an announcement or a short interview.
3. **You choose your answer.**

The reading time before the fragment is the most valuable moment in the exam. Lesson 2 shows exactly what to do with it.

## What you will hear

**A2:** everyday situations. A doctor's assistant on the phone, a colleague asking a favour, a shop assistant, a teacher talking to a parent, an announcement at the station. The speakers talk at a normal but clear speed.

**B1:** longer and more varied. A short radio item, an interview, a conversation at work, an explanation at a course or information meeting. You also get questions about opinions and attitudes (Lesson 6).

In both exams the speech is real-sounding: people say *eh*, they correct themselves, they speak at the same time a little. That is on purpose.

## You will miss words. That's fine.

Nobody understands every word, not even in their own language on a bad phone line. The exam is built so that you can answer without every word. What matters:

- **Don't stop listening** when you miss a word. If your brain gets stuck on one word, you miss the next three sentences, which often contain the answer.
- **The answer is often said twice** or explained in other words.
- **Follow the main line**: who is talking, where are they, what do they want?

## After each fragment

Answer right away. Your memory of the fragment fades fast. If you are not sure, choose the option that fits best, and **let it go**. The next question already needs your full attention. Thinking about the last question while the next fragment plays is the most expensive mistake in this exam.

## How to train at home

- Listen to short, real Dutch every day: NOS Jeugdjournaal, local radio, podcasts for learners, announcements on the train.
- Practise **one-time listening**: play a fragment once, then write down what you understood. Only then replay.
- Use the official practice exams on inburgeren.nl (A2) or oefenexamensnt2.nl (B1) so the format feels familiar.

## Useful Dutch
- **het fragment**: the (audio/video) clip
- **luister naar het fragment**: listen to the clip
- **de koptelefoon**: the headphones
- **het geluid**: the sound
- **één keer**: once
- **Kies het goede antwoord.**: Choose the right answer.
- **Waar gaat het gesprek over?**: What is the conversation about?
- **de spreker**: the speaker
- **het gesprek**: the conversation
- **de mededeling**: the announcement

## Worked example: Using the reading time

Vraag: Waarom belt Fatima naar de school?
A Haar zoon is ziek.
B Ze wil een gesprek met de leraar.
C Ze kan haar zoon niet op tijd ophalen.

(Fragment) "Goedemorgen, u spreekt met Fatima Benali, de moeder van Yusuf uit groep vier. Ik bel even omdat ik vanmiddag later ben. Mijn bus heeft vertraging. Mag Yusuf misschien even bij de juf wachten? Ik ben er rond kwart over drie."

Before the fragment, the question word 'waarom' tells you to listen for a reason. The options show three different reasons: ill, a meeting, or pick-up. Now you only listen for which one. You hear 'omdat ik vanmiddag later ben' and 'Mag Yusuf even bij de juf wachten?', so she will be late picking him up: C. Notice that 'school' and 'leraar/juf' appear in her message, which might pull you toward B, but she does not ask for a meeting.

## Common mistakes
- Using the reading time to rest instead of studying the question and options.
- Stopping to think about one missed word and losing the rest of the fragment.
- Thinking about the previous question while the next fragment is already playing.
- Expecting to be able to replay a fragment, as you can in practice mode.

## Check yourself
1. How long is the A2 Luisteren exam?
   A) 25 minutes
   B) 45 minutes
   C) 90 minutes
   Answer: B. A2 Luisteren has 25 questions in 45 minutes. 90 minutes is the B1 exam.
2. May you use a dictionary during Luisteren?
   A) No
   B) Yes, a paper one
   C) Only at B1
   Answer: A. A dictionary is allowed for Lezen and Schrijven, but not for Luisteren.
3. You missed a word in the middle of a fragment. What should you do?
   A) Stop and try to remember the word
   B) Choose an answer immediately
   C) Keep listening; the answer may come later or be repeated
   Answer: C. Keep following the main line. Answers are often repeated or paraphrased.