Exam Day Rules for A2, B1 & B2: What to Bring, What's Banned & How It Works

Your exam day is the moment everything comes together — and the last thing you want is to be turned away at the door because you brought the wrong ID or forgot your oproepbrief (call letter). The rules differ depending on whether you are taking an A2-level inburgeringsexamen or a B1/B2-level Staatsexamen NT2, so this guide covers both. Below you'll find everything you need to know: valid identification, banned items, what happens inside the exam room, and the exact addresses of all six DUO test centers.

Key Points at a Glance

A2 vs B1/B2: Which Rules Apply to You?

Before diving into the details, it helps to know which exam system you're in. People who became inburgeringsplichtig (integration-obligated) before 1 January 2022 fall under the Wet inburgering 2013 and take exams at A2 level. Newcomers from 1 January 2022 onward fall under the Wet inburgering 2021 and generally take the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I (B1). Some people voluntarily take Programma II (B2) for university admission or career purposes. For a detailed comparison, see our A2 vs B1 level guide.

Most exam day rules are the same at every level — you need ID, you arrive early, and you leave your phone in a locker. The key differences are around dictionaries (allowed for B1/B2 Lezen and Schrijven, but not at A2), exam duration, and a few practical details like food and drinks. This guide marks level-specific rules clearly so you know exactly what applies to you.

What You Must Bring

There are only two things you absolutely must bring to every exam, regardless of level. Forget either one and you will be sent home — and you'll have to register and pay again.

1. A Valid Legitimatiebewijs (Identification Document)

You must show a valid, undamaged legitimatiebewijs (identification document) before every exam. A DUO staff member will check it. If your ID is expired, damaged, or not on the accepted list, you will not be admitted. Presenting a forged ID can be reported to the police.

The following documents are accepted:

Whatever document you bring, it must be valid (not expired) and undamaged. If you don't have any valid ID at all, contact DUO before your exam date so you can sort it out in time. For B1/B2 exams specifically, you can reach DUO's NT2 department at nt2@duo.nl or 050-599 89 33 (option 1).

2. Your Oproepbrief (Call Letter) from DUO

After you register for an exam, DUO sends you an oproepbrief (call letter) by post. For B1/B2 exams, this letter arrives about 10 days before your exam date. It tells you exactly where and when to be. Check the details as soon as you receive it — if there are mistakes, contact DUO immediately. If you haven't received your letter 10 days before the exam, call DUO right away.

For A2 exams, the oproepbrief also contains a summary of the most important exam rules. Read these carefully, because they include anything specific to your exam date and location.

Dictionary Rules: What's Allowed, What's Not

This is one of the most-asked questions, and the rules differ by exam level and component. Getting this wrong can mean having your dictionary confiscated — or not having one when you're allowed to.

B1 and B2 (Staatsexamen NT2)

During the Lezen (Reading) and Schrijven (Writing) exams, you may use exactly one dictionary: the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2). No other dictionaries are allowed — this rule has been in effect since 1 January 2021. You must bring your own copy; you cannot borrow one from another candidate during the exam.

Important: your dictionary must be clean. There may be no notes, sticky tabs, loose papers, or any kind of writing inside it. If DUO staff find annotations, your exam may be invalidated. You also cannot use electronic dictionaries or apps like Google Translate — only the physical Van Dale pocket book.

During the Luisteren (Listening) and Spreken (Speaking) exams, no dictionary is allowed at all.

A2 (Inburgeringsexamen)

For A2 exams, the general rule according to the examenreglement is that you may not bring any items into the exam room — including study books, pens, and personal belongings. Check your oproepbrief for the specific rules that apply to your exam session, as it contains the definitive instructions.

What You Cannot Bring Into the Exam Room

The rule is straightforward: you cannot bring anything into the exam room. DUO staff actively check for prohibited items. Everything you bring to the test center must go into a kluisje (locker) before you enter. Staff will show you where the lockers are.

Specifically prohibited items include:

If you bring prohibited items into the exam room, keep your coat on, or are caught making photos or recordings, you must leave immediately. Your exam will be declared invalid (ongeldig). This applies to both A2 and B1/B2 exams.

Food and Drinks (B1/B2 Only)

For Staatsexamen NT2 (B1/B2), you are allowed to eat and drink during the exam. However, you must bring your own food and drinks — there is nothing available to purchase at the test center. Drinks must be in a bottle with a cap, and the bottle must be placed on the floor to protect the computer. No open cups are allowed in the exam room.

In the waiting area, free coffee and tea are available, but you need to bring your own cup or mug — there are no disposable cups at the location. You cannot take your cup into the exam room.

Arriving at the Exam Center

You must be at the exam location at least 30 minutes before your exam is scheduled to begin. This time is needed for ID verification, security checks, and getting you seated. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted and your exam fee is lost.

Only exam candidates may enter the building. Friends, family members, and children cannot come inside — not even to the waiting area (for B1/B2 locations). If someone accompanying you causes a disturbance, it may affect your ability to take the exam. Plan ahead: if you have children, arrange childcare for that time.

For B1/B2 exams, the Staatsexamen NT2 site lists specific start times. For example, the Luisteren exam starts at 09:45 or 13:00, the Lezen exam at 09:45 or 13:20, the Schrijven exam at 09:45 or 13:10, and the Spreken exam at 09:45, 11:15, 13:15, or 14:45. Remember: with the 30-minute early arrival rule, if your exam starts at 09:45, you need to be there by 09:15 at the latest.

Getting There

All exam locations are well connected by public transport. DUO has no parking spaces of its own, and parking at or near the exam centers is limited. If you're driving, check parking options in advance and build in extra time. The safer option is to take the train or metro — for example, the Amsterdam location is directly across from Metrostation Overamstel (metro 50 and 51, take exit 'Joan Muyskenweg').

Dress Code and Access

For A2 exams, there is an explicit rule about face coverings: you may not wear clothing that completely covers your face or leaves only your eyes visible. If you do, DUO staff will ask you to remove it. If you refuse, you will not be allowed to take the exam and must leave the building. This rule exists because DUO needs to verify your identity by matching your face to your ID photo.

Your coat must go into a locker — you cannot wear it in the exam room. This applies at all levels.

Rules Inside the Exam Room

Once you're inside, the rules are strict but simple. The exam environment is designed to be fair for everyone, so any disruption is taken seriously.

Exam Secrecy and Fraud

All exam content is strictly confidential. Before you begin, you must sign a geheimhoudingsverklaring (secrecy declaration) promising not to share anything about the exam — not the questions, not the answers, not even the general topics. This applies after the exam too: you cannot tell others what was on the test.

The following actions are considered examenfraude (exam fraud):

The consequences of fraud are severe. DUO will declare your exam ongeldig (invalid), which means you have to register and pay again. You will also be banned from taking any exam for 3 months. In serious cases, DUO can file a police report. Don't risk it — the exams are very much doable with honest preparation.

Official DUO Exam Locations (2026)

All inburgeringsexamens (A2) and Staatsexamens NT2 (B1/B2) are held at DUO test centers in six cities across the Netherlands. The A2 and B1/B2 exams are held at the same addresses, with one exception in Zwolle. Locations are open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 to 16:30. You can choose your preferred location when you register.

Parking is very limited at all locations and DUO does not have its own parking spaces. Public transport is the recommended option.

Exam Durations by Level

Each exam component has a fixed duration. Before every component, you get approximately 15 minutes of explanation (uitleg) on how the exam works — this is not counted as exam time. Here's an overview of the actual exam times:

Note that the A2 Schrijfvaardigheid exam is done on paper, while all B1/B2 exams (including Schrijven) are done on a computer. For a full breakdown of every exam component, see our complete inburgering exam guide.

Special Circumstances: Illness, Disabilities, or Complaints

If you are sick on exam day or have experienced the death of a close family member, you can request a replacement exam. Contact DUO as soon as possible — for B1/B2 exams, email nt2@duo.nl. You must submit supporting documents (a doctor's note or death certificate) within 10 days after the exam date. Only then may you receive a free replacement sitting.

Candidates with a disability or personal circumstances — such as visual impairments, dyslexia, or psychological conditions — can request an aangepast examen (adapted exam). You might get extra time or a large-print version. Indicate "personal circumstances" when you register, and DUO will contact you. You'll need a statement from a medical specialist. Note that not all locations offer adapted exams, so you may be assigned to a different city or date. All locations are wheelchair-accessible by default.

If something goes wrong during the exam itself — a technical problem, a disturbance, or unfair treatment — report it immediately to the examenleider (exam supervisor) on site. If your complaint is not resolved, you can send a written klacht (complaint) within 3 weeks after the exam. For A2 exams, send it to DUO's Servicecentrum Inburgering at KlachtenRNE@duo.nl. For B1/B2 exams, email nt2@duo.nl addressed to the College voor Toetsen en Examens (CvTE).

Quick Checklist: The Night Before Your Exam

Use this checklist the evening before your exam to make sure everything is ready:

How to Prepare: Next Steps

Knowing the rules is half the battle — the other half is being well-prepared for the content of the exam itself. Here are some practical next steps:

Official Sources

This article is based on the following official sources. Rules may change — always check the latest version before your exam day: