The Dutch Civic Integration Exam (Inburgeringsexamen) for A2 level

The Dutch civic integration exam tests your Dutch language skills and your knowledge of Dutch society.

It consists of four language exams: Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking. For civic integration you also take Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM): a separate exam that you need at A2 and at B1.

• Important: Always check with DUO which exams you have to make for your inburgering. The level can be A2 or B1 depending on your personal situation. More info here.

This article is written for those who have to pass the A2 exam. Doing the B1 or B2 exam? Check this article!

Do you want to know more about the costs, the way to reserve a spot and the exam centres? We wrote a complete guide to the A2 inburgeringsexamen.

1. Writing (Schrijven)

Duration: 40 minutes
Number of assignments: 4
What is it? You complete four writing assignments, such as writing a short letter or filling in a form. The exam is with pen and paper (not on a computer).
Dictionary: Not allowed.

Tips for the writing exam (Schrijven)

• Practise writing short texts in Dutch. Pay attention to spelling, grammar and sentence structure. The official page (inburgeren.nl) offers mock exams. Our app also offers examples and exercises.
• Pay close attention to the instructions: When filling out forms, you often do not need to write in complete sentences. For other writing assignments, however, you do.
• Do no more than what is asked: A very brief answer that covers all the points in the assignment is perfectly fine. A long answer simply increases the risk of making mistakes.
• Don't be afraid to be brief (or even a bit blunt): Do not pay too much attention to formalities or courtesies; just get the task done. If you need to write an email to a colleague to swap workdays, you don’t need to start by asking how they are doing.
• Use MEOWD to connect your sentences: The conjunctions maar en of want dus are followed by a normal clause. They are a safe way to, for example, provide a reason or express a contrast.
• When using words like Als, Omdat or Toen: Use a subordinate clause!
• Read example answers: Like the ones in our app!
• Know how to fill out a form: Know words like 'Voornaam', 'Achternaam', 'Postcode', etc. In our app, you can practice flashcard specifically made for this exam.
• Don't take risks! When it comes to writing assignments, you are in control. If a sentence is difficult or risky, consider an alternative.
• You don’t have to stay close to your true self: Do you need to write about your favourite celebration or about your hobby? Use a bit of imagination to come up with a simple topic.
• Always fill in something: Cover every point they ask.
• Check in 3 steps: When your are done with a task, check 1) Did you do everything they ask? 2) Are the verbs in the right place? 3) Is the main verb well conjugated to the subject?

2. Reading (Lezen)

Duration: 65 minutes
Number of questions: Not specified on the official information page. In the official practice exams it's 25 questions.
What is it: You read short Dutch texts on a computer and answer multiple-choice questions about them (3 - 4 options). About every text, you'll get a few questions (+/- 3). Usually the texts are announcements, (work) emails and schedules with information.
Dictionary: Not allowed.

Tips for the reading exam (Lezen)

• Practise with the official sample exams. Read the questions carefully and look for important information in the texts. Our app also offers lots of exercises resembling the official mock exams.
• Don't jump to conclusions: Sometimes you need to read a bit further to avoid falling into a trap. For example, it might say "De winkel is elke dag open van 10.00 - 17.00," but then, a little further on, you see: "Op zondag openen we pas om 12.00."
• Read the question before reading the whole text: This way, you can already look for the answer.
• The questions follow a chronological order: Usually, there are multiple questions per text. You will find the answer of question 1 at the start of the text, and the last question more towards the end.
• Be aware of the time limit: You have about 2,5 minutes per question. Make sure to finish on time, because unanswered questions will be lost.
• Build vocabulary: You are not allowed to use a dictionary, so make sure you have a good vocabulary base. Our app helps you build the vocab you need.

3. Listening (Luisteren)

Duration: 45 minutes
Number of questions: Not specified on the official information page. In the official practice exams it's 25 questions.
What it is: You watch short videos and listen to Dutch texts (mostly dialogues) before answering multiple-choice questions about what you hear (3 - 4 options). Count on hearing each fragment only once: listen carefully the first time and keep an eye on the time limit. You make the exam on a computer.
Dictionary: Not allowed.

Tips for the listening exam (Luisteren)

Practise with the official listening exams. Focus on the main message and important details.

• Listen well the first time: Read the question first and listen actively. Don't count on hearing the fragment a second time.
• Stuck? Move on: It's better to just guess a difficult question, than be stuck for minutes and loose precious time.
• The questions follow a chronological order: Usually, there are multiple questions per audio. You will find the answer of question 1 at the start of the audio, and the last question more towards the end.
• Don't jump to conclusions: Trying to figure out from what platform the train leaves? Don't just stop listening when a platform number is mentioned. It could be a trap (De trein vertrekt van spoor 8, o sorry, nee, ik bedoel spoor 6).
• Read the question as quickly as possible: Read the question before the audio starts playing, so you know what to look for.
• Know what clues to look for: Look at the question and know what key words can be related, especially interrogatives.
• Realise time is a thing: You have less than 2 minutes per question.

4. Speaking (Spreken)

Duration: 35 minutes
Number of questions: Not specified on the official information page, usually around 16.
What is it? You watch short videos and answer questions in Dutch on a computer, using a microphone. You don't talk with a person. Usually questions follow this order:

• 1) A set of questions with a video of someone asking you something.
• 2) Questions about one picture.
• 3) Questions about two pictures (usually asking what your favourite option is).
• 4) Questions about three pictures (usually about what a person does, 3 actions).

Dictionary: Not allowed.

Tips for the speaking exam (Spreken)

• Practise speaking Dutch out loud. Use simple, clear sentences.
• Practise with the official sample exams. Not enough? Our app also offers great ways to practice speaking.
• Pay close attention to the instructions: Are they asking just one or multiple things? Try to cover all the tasks.
• Pay close attention to the interrogatives: Are they asking what books you usually read or where you usually read? Or when? Or why? Interrogatives.
• Do no more than what is asked: A very brief answer that covers all the points in the assignment is perfectly fine. A long answer simply increases the risk of making mistakes.
• Don't be afraid to be brief (or even a bit blunt): Do not pay too much attention to formalities or courtesies; just get the task done.
• Try to use mostly main clauses without inversion: For most students, this is the easiest word order.
• Use MEOWD to connect your sentences: The conjunctions maar en of want dus are followed by a normal clause. They are a safe way to, for example, provide a reason or express a contrast.
• When using words like Als, Omdat or Toen: Use a subordinate clause! They can be tricky in a speaking exam, but sometimes you'll have to use als.
• Read example answers: Like the ones in our app!
• Understand the use of graag - liever - het liefst: These words are very handy if you want to express preference or that you like something.
• Know the modal verbs well: The use of modal verbs will be very useful, for both the content of the exercise and the word order. Study them.
• Build vocabulary around the most common topics: A good base of words is crucial. In our app, you can expand your vocabulary.
• Don't know a word? No worries! Try to describe it or even use the English word. Chances are big that this is wrong, but this way, you will at least finish the exercise. That's better than leaving it open. Of course, you shouldn't do this to often.
• Don't take risks! When it comes to speaking assignments, you are in control. If a sentence is difficult or risky, consider an alternative.
• You don’t have to stay close to your true self: Do you need to tell something about your favourite season or about your favourite sport? Pick an easy option.
• Always answer something: Try to cover every point they ask.
• Be kind to yourself: You will make mistakes. Don't panic. You are allowed some mistakes. It's better to stay focused and optimistic.

5. Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM)

Duration: 45 minutes
Number of questions: 40 questions.
What is it: This exam tests your knowledge of Dutch society, including topics such as housing, work and income. You answer multiple-choise questions (usually 3 options) on a computer.
Dictionary: Not allowed.

Tips for the KNM exam

• Study the official KNM materials: Practise with the sample exams to learn about everyday life in the Netherlands. In our app you will also find lots of questions about every topic.
• Don't overthink it: Sometimes you might wonder why they ask a question when the answer seems so obvious. It is quite likely that there is some overlap between the culture of your home country and that of the Netherlands. In such cases, some questions are simply straightforward.
• Study vocabulary for every topic of the KNM exam: Make sure you know your vocabulary! Otherwise you won't understand the question or all possible answers. It's crucial to study words related to the different topics. Our app offers a learning path to do exactly that!
• • Werk en inkomen: For example - Solliciteren, contracten, salaris, uitkeringen.
  • Omgangsvormen, waarden en normen: For example - Op tijd komen, gelijkheid, relaties, feestdagen.
  • Wonen: For example: Huren, kopen, energie, verhuizen.
  • Gezondheid en gezondheidszorg: For example - Huisarts, tandarts, apotheek, eigen risico.
  • Geschiedenis en geografie: For example - Provincies, waterbeheer, de Tweede Wereldoorlog.
  • Instanties: For example - Gemeente, DUO, Belastingdienst.
  • Staatsinrichting en rechtsstaat: For example - Stemmen, parlement, rechtbanken, politie.
  • Onderwijs en opvoeding: For example - Leerplicht, schoolniveaus, kinderopvang.

Prepare for your exams

You can find official practice exams for all four language exams and KNM on Inburgeren.nl. Practise regularly and check which exams and language level apply to your situation.

Use our app to work on both vocabulary and grammar, specifically designed to prepare for the official exams.

Important: Always check with DUO which exams you have to make for your inburgering. The level can be A2 or B1 depending on your personal situation. More info here.

Doing the B1 or B2 Staatsexamen? Check this article!