A2 Reading: How to Find the Answer Fast

You have 65 minutes to complete the A2 Lezen exam on a computer. DUO's public format page gives no fixed question count or raw correct-answer pass mark. This guide shows you how to turn each question into a search task, find the evidence sentence or table cell, test the answer options, and leave time to review hard questions. This site's original practice set uses 25 multiple-choice questions and 18/25 as a non-official training target; DUO determines the official result.

• Read the context line first, then the question. The question tells you what kind of information to search for.
• Search for evidence. The text must support the correct answer.
• Watch small Dutch words: niet (not), geen (no or not any), alleen (only), uiterlijk (no later than), vanaf (from), tot (until), voor (before), na (after) and behalve (except).
• For tables, choose the correct row and column before reading the answer options.
• If you cannot find evidence after a few minutes, mark the question, choose your best answer and move on.

Use the same method for e-mails, letters, schedules, folders, notices and work rules. Repetition makes you faster because you do not need a new plan for every text.

• 1. Read the context line. Who gets the text, and what kind of text is it?
• 1. Read the question and name the key. Is it asking for when, who, what, where, why, how much, or what someone must do?
• 1. Scan the text for the key. Look for names, dates, prices, times, headings, table labels and action words.
• 1. Test the answer options. Cross out options that are not in the text, are too broad, or change a small word such as not, only, before or after.

Most A2 reading questions ask for one practical detail. This table helps you turn the question into a search task.

• Uiterlijk and voor mark deadlines. After that moment is too late.
• vanaf means something starts at that time or date.
• tot means until. tot en met means the last day is included.
• alleen means only. Do not choose an answer that includes more people, days or places.
• niet, geen and hoeft niet make the sentence negative.
• als or wanneer gives a condition: the rule applies only in that situation.

Context: Milan volgt een taalcursus. Hij krijgt een bericht van zijn docent.

Tekst: Beste cursisten, vrijdag 12 juni is lokaal 4 gesloten. De les Nederlands gaat wel door. We zitten in kamer 2 van de bibliotheek. Neem uw werkboek mee. U hoeft geen laptop mee te nemen. Kunt u niet komen? Mail docent Sara vóór donderdag 18.00 uur.

Vraag: Wat moet Milan meenemen naar de les?
A. een laptop
B. zijn werkboek
C. een e-mail voor Sara

Fast path: the question asks what Milan must bring, so scan for meenemen or neem mee. The evidence is Neem uw werkboek mee. Option B is correct. Option A is a trap because the text says geen laptop. Option C belongs to people who cannot come.

• The option uses a word from the text but changes the rule, deadline or person.
• The option is true, but it does not answer the question.
• The text says something is optional, but the option says it is required.
• A table answer uses the wrong row, such as ground floor instead of second floor.
• You choose from real-life logic instead of the sentence in the text.

For this site's non-official 25-question set, a 65-minute timer gives an average of a little more than 2 minutes per question. Some practice questions take 30 seconds, and some take 4 minutes. Spend less time on easy questions and more on hard ones. Finish the first pass with review time left. DUO publishes the official 65-minute duration, but not a fixed question count.

• Use about 50 to 55 minutes for the first pass.
• Spend extra time only when you are close to the evidence sentence.
• Mark hard questions and return after easier points are safe.
• Use the final 5 to 10 minutes to check deadlines, negatives and table rows.
• When practising, write the evidence sentence for every wrong answer. This trains you to find the evidence faster next time.

• Read the full A2 Reading exam guide for official timing and a full non-official 25-question practice set.
• Use the A2 Reading summary before a timed practice session.
• Try the A2 Reading practice workbook when you want more original questions.
• Practise short drills on the A2 reading course page if one question type keeps slowing you down.