Tips for the Dutch Staatsexamen NT2: B1 and B2

Preparing for the Dutch Staatsexamen NT2 can feel challenging. With the right approach, your confidence and chances of success increase!

• Remember that regular practice and active learning (classes, self study, etc.) is needed if you want to take a B1 or B2 exam. The tips in this article cover both study methods and exam strategy.

Do you want to use Staatsexamen for inburgering? Here you can find more information about how that works.

Here are some practical tips for each exam component.

1. Reading (Lezen)

The Reading exam tests your ability to understand written Dutch in situations related to work, education and everyday life.

• How it works: You receive a booklet containing six texts, while the questions and answer options appear on the computer screen. You answer 36 multiple-choice questions (3 options).
  
  Speed: You can set the pace yourself for each question, but there's a time limit for the total exam.
  
  Length: 110 minutes for B1, 100 minutes for B2.
  
  Dictionary: You may use the approved Van Dale Pocket Dictionary for Dutch as a Second Language (NT2) in both the B1 and the B2 exam.

The questions may ask you to identify the main topic, the intended audience, the meaning of a passage, the relationship between ideas, the conclusion of a text or specific information.

What is the difference between B1 and B2?

The main difference is the level of Dutch you are expected to understand. Programma I assesses B1, while Programma II assesses B2. The Reading exam lasts 110 minutes for B1 and 100 minutes for B2.

Tips

• Read Dutch every day: Use news articles, emails, websites, and short texts. In The Dutch Online Academy app, you'll find reading exercises resembling exam questions.
• Focus on keywords: You do not need to understand every word to understand the main message.
• Practise with sample exams: Learn to recognise question types and manage your time. You'll find official example exams on the website of Staatsexamen NT2.
• Read the questions carefully: Identify what information you need before reading the text.
• Use the dictionary wisely: Only use it when you are missing a crucial word. Looking things up takes a lot of time, and the time limit is an issue for many students.
• Skim and Scan: Practice speed-reading texts first to get the main idea, then go back to specific sections to hunt for answers to detailed questions.
• Know where to look: The first sentence of a paragraph often indicates what it is about. The questions usually appear in the text in chronological order.
• Time Management: Keep a close eye on the clock during practice tests on the computer, as the digital interface can feel fast-paced.
• Move on: Don’t get stuck on a difficult question for too long. Remember that it’s okay to make a few mistakes; it’s worse to leave a large number of questions blank because you’ve run out of time.

2. Listening (Luisteren)

The Listening exam tests your ability to understand spoken Dutch in situations related to work, education and everyday life.

• How it works: You listen to recordings through headphones and answer multiple-choice questions (3 or 4 options) on the computer. The exam contains approximately 40 questions based on 5 or more listening texts, as well as one to three video clips.
  
  Speed: Before each recording, you have 25 seconds to read the question and answer options. You can listen to each recording only once. You can change your answer while the question is still active. The most recently provided answer will be saved.
  
  Length: 90 minutes.
  
  Dictionary: Not allowed.

You hear natural speech, including different voices, repetitions, occasional hesitations and sometimes background noise. Speakers may have accents, but they do not speak dialects.

What is the difference between B1 and B2?

Programma I assesses B1, while Programma II assesses B2. Both Listening exams have the same stated format and duration: 90 minutes.

Tips

• Listen to Dutch daily: Try podcasts, news reports, and Dutch conversations. Find a language buddy (taalmaatje) if possible.
• Practise with exam materials: Get used to the speed and style of spoken Dutch. Practice with the official Staatsexamen sample tests so you know the exact pacing and question style.
• Focus on the main idea: Pay attention to the speaker’s purpose, opinions, and key details.
• Get used to noise: Don't use high-end noise-canceling earbuds at home. Practice with cheap or standard wired earphones to mimic the audio quality at the test center.
• Do not panic if you miss something: Keep listening and focus on the next piece of information.
• Skim Questions: Use the pre-audio instructions and transition times to read ahead and highlight keywords in the questions.
• Listen for Synonyms: Do not expect the audio to always use the exact same words written in the multiple-choice options. Listen out for paraphrases or opposite meanings.

3. Writing (Schrijven)

The Writing exam assesses your ability to communicate in written Dutch. Most tasks relate to work or education, while some concern everyday life.

• How it works: You complete different tasks on a computer (so you type). In some exercises, you'll only have to type one sentence. In others, a complete text.
  
  Speed: You can choose the order in which you do the tasks and how much time you spent per task (but the complete exam has a time limit).
  
  Length: The exam lasts 100 minutes for both B1 and B2.
  
  Dictionary: You may use the Van Dale Pocket Dictionary for Dutch as a Second Language (NT2). No other dictionaries are permitted.

What is the difference between B1 and B2?

In Programma I (B1): Eight sentence tasks, two partial-writing tasks and two short-writing tasks.

In Programma II (B2): Seven or eight sentence tasks, one or two short-writing tasks and one or two medium-length writing tasks. These longer tasks may ask you to describe a problem and propose a solution, sometimes using a table, graph or images.

Tips

• Practise different text types: Write emails, letters, and short texts.
• Make mock exams: preferably from the official website of Staatsexamen. In our app, you can also find lots of exercises to practice for the writing exam.
• Take few risks: Not sure about a sentence? Think if you can say it in another way, maybe a simpel, but correct way. Not sure about a word? Think of a synonym.
• Keep it short: Do what is asked, but don't do much more. Every unnecessary sentence is an unnecessary chance to make mistakes.
• Keep it simple: You don’t need to write beautifully or be overly polite. You won’t get any extra points for using flowery or long-winded language.
• Use a clear structure: Organise the longer texts (for example: an introduction, main points, and a conclusion).
• Use words that indicate structure: Learn signal-words and conjunctions (maar, want, als, tenzij, etc.). You will earn points with it in longer texts.
• Check your grammar: Pay attention to word order, verb forms, and spelling.
• Check if you did everything: Make sure you include all the information requested and respect the word limit.
• Know your word order: The sentence tasks are mainly about understanding context and word order triggers. Learn the conjunctions, for example.
• Look at examples: For example, in our app. You can use our app for exam preparation.

4. Speaking (Spreken)

The Speaking exam tests your ability to communicate orally in Dutch.

• How it works: The exam is done using a computer, headphones and a microphone. You do not speak directly to an examiner. You listen to or read each task and record your answer when you hear a signal. You may also need to use information from a text or an image.
  
  Speed: There are short and medium-length speaking tasks for B1 and B2. For short tasks, you have 20 seconds to respond; for medium-length tasks, 30 seconds. B2 also includes a longer speaking exercise with 2 minutes of speaking time. The exam moves automatically from one task to the next, and you cannot return to previous tasks.
  
  Length: Approximately 25 minutes.
  
  Dictionary: Not allowed.

What is the difference between B1 and B2?

Programma I (B1): You complete 8 short and 8 medium-length speaking tasks.

Programma II (B2): Contains 4 short tasks, 8 medium-length tasks and 1 long speaking task. This means B2 requires you to develop and present a longer response.

Tips

• Practise speaking aloud: Talk about everyday topics and record yourself. Our app also includes recording exercises.
• Make mock exams: preferably from the official website of Staatsexamen. In our app, you can also find lots of exercises to practice for the speaking exam.
• Structure your answers: Give a clear answer and add a reason or example (whatever is asked) by using a signal word (for example: ten eerste, ten tweede) or conjunctions (als, toen, etc.).
• Keep speaking: If you make a mistake, only correct the mistake or just accept it and keep talking. Don't start from the start again, you will run out of time.
• Practise under exam conditions: Prepare answers within the time limit and get used to speaking without much preparation.
• Keep it simple: Practise speaking clearly, simple and correct. It can be hard to organise your thoughts with the available time, so use simple arguments or examples.
• Know your word order: The exam is made in a way that you will have to use words that structure your speech, like conjunctions. Know what word order they trigger.

Final Tips for B1 and B2

• Know your level: B1 focuses on handling familiar situations, while B2 requires more independence, detail, and complex language.
• Practise consistently: Short, regular study sessions are more effective than cramming.
• Use official practice exams: They help you understand the format and expectations.
• Review your mistakes: Learn from them and practise the skills you find most difficult.

Remember: You do not need perfect Dutch to pass. Focus on communicating clearly, understanding the task, and practising regularly. Confidence grows with preparation!