An adapted exam may be possible
Illness, disability or dyslexia may qualify you for an aangepast examen (adapted exam) for inburgering (civic integration). For A2 language and knowledge exams, request advice through Mijn Inburgering (My Integration) from DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, the Dutch education service). For B1 or B2, request changes during registration. Extra time for your integration deadline and a medical exemption use separate applications.
Exam changes, extra time or a medical exemption
Choose the route that matches your problem. An exam change, a later integration deadline and a medical exemption each need a separate request.
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| Your situation | Route to check | What can change |
|---|---|---|
| You can take the exam, but need changes to the format or exam room. | Aangepast examen | DUO may change the timing, room, text size or equipment. |
| Illness delayed your study for months, but you can continue later. | Extra tijd (extra time) | DUO may extend your integration deadline if you meet the illness-extension conditions. |
| A serious, lasting illness or disability prevents you meeting some or all integration requirements. | Ontheffing (medical exemption) | DUO decides after medical advice whether you can do fewer or no exams. It can also exempt you from the whole inburgeringsplicht (civic integration obligation). |
For a deadline delay, check DUO's conditions for extra time because of illness (External site, opens in a new tab). For a serious, lasting condition, check DUO's medical-exemption rules (External site, opens in a new tab). This exemption is available only if you must integrate under Wet inburgering 2013 (Civic Integration Act 2013) or Wet inburgering 2021 (Civic Integration Act 2021).
If illness or disability stops you passing and you need exam proof for naturalisation or a stronger residence permit, check IND (External site, opens in a new tab) (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, the immigration and naturalisation service) guidance too.
If your agreed exam changes affect the proof you will use for naturalisation or a residence permit, check IND guidance as well as DUO guidance.
Your exam level and possible changes
If you started under Wet inburgering 2021, check your persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie (PIP) (personal integration and participation plan). Your PIP states whether you need A2, B1 or B2 language exams.
For the exams you still need and the law that applies to you, check Mijn Inburgering or your DUO letters. DUO's exam overview (External site, opens in a new tab) explains where to check your requirements.
Possible changes depend on the exam part and level. The Regeling inburgering 2021 (External site, opens in a new tab) (Civic Integration Regulations 2021) and its medical-assessment protocol give examples. These include:
- More time to take the exam.
- Larger text or a larger screen.
- A separate room or another exam location.
- Rest breaks, where available for the exam part.
- Help using equipment, such as a mouse or headphones.
- Typing instead of handwriting for A2 writing.
- A different schedule, such as more time between exam sessions.
DUO decides which changes you receive. Use the arrangements in your decision letter when planning your exam and practice.
An adapted A2 or knowledge exam
For A2 language and knowledge exams, request advice before registering for the adapted exam. DUO uses advice from Argonaut (medical assessment provider) to decide whether you can take it. The Argonaut assessment is free.
Follow these steps to request advice and then register:
- Fill in Aanvraag advies aangepast examen (request for adapted-exam advice) in Mijn Inburgering. If you cannot log in, fill in Aanvraag advies voor een aangepast examen bij ziekte of beperking (External site, opens in a new tab) (request for adapted-exam advice for illness or disability), a PDF (117 KB).
- Submit the application to DUO using the instructions on the form.
- Attend the medical assessment when Argonaut invites you.
- Read DUO's decision letter, which explains any approved exam changes.
- Register with the paper Aanmelding inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam registration) form linked on DUO's adapted-exam page.
Argonaut's doctor sends advice to DUO after the assessment. DUO arranges the approved changes and sends you a letter. Registration for an adapted A2 or knowledge exam uses the paper form rather than Mijn Inburgering. For standard bookings, see A2 exam registration in Mijn Inburgering.
For help setting up DigiD (Dutch digital identity), see our guide to activation and login methods.
An adapted B1 or B2 exam
For Staatsexamen Nt2 (External site, opens in a new tab) (Dutch as a second language state exam), request changes during registration. Programma I (Programme I) is B1. Programma II (Programme II) is B2. A disability or personal circumstances, such as visual impairment, psychological problems or dyslexia, may qualify you.
The official adapted-exam page requires a statement from a medical specialist. Agree with DUO's NT2 department which document you need before asking for it.
- Select persoonlijke omstandigheden (personal circumstances) when you register for Staatsexamen Nt2 with DUO (External site, opens in a new tab).
- Explain which changes you need when DUO contacts you.
- Agree with DUO which document to send.
- Send the agreed document to DUO.
Adapted NT2 exams are available at some locations. You may need to take the exam on another date and in another place.
All NT2 exam locations have wheelchair access. If wheelchair access is your only need, you can book a standard exam.
If you are unsure whether you need changes, follow the same adapted-exam steps. DUO can book you into a standard exam if changes are unnecessary.
Documents and notes for your request
Ask DUO which medical document you need and how recent it needs to be. Then ask your doctor or specialist for that document.
We suggest writing a short note about the exam task you find difficult and what would help. Describe any barriers that apply to you, such as:
- Reading small text.
- Using a mouse.
- Writing by hand.
- Sitting for a long time.
- Hearing audio only once.
- Coping with stress in a crowded room.
Keep copies of DUO letters, Argonaut invitations and medical documents. Follow the instructions for your application about sending originals or copies. If you apply for extra time because of illness, DUO asks for copies of evidence and tells you to keep the originals.
Practising with your agreed exam changes
After approval, practise with the changes DUO has agreed. For example, if you will use larger text, use larger text when practising. Ask DUO how to practise with other changes, such as typed answers, extra reading time, breaks or a separate room.
Start with DUO's official practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab). That page links to A2 practice and the official B1 and B2 practice environment. For more exercises, use Inburgering.org's extra free practice. These materials show the standard format; ask DUO how to practise your agreed changes.
The NT2 listening and speaking limits still apply with extra time. In the adapted NT2 listening exam (External site, opens in a new tab), you still hear each recording once. In the adapted NT2 speaking exam, you still record each answer once.
Choosing your application
If the exam format is the problem, use the A2 advice request or the B1 and B2 registration steps above. Check your required level in your PIP or DUO letters first. For adapted A2 and knowledge exams, wait for DUO's approval and then register on paper.
If illness has delayed your study, check the separate extra-time application. If a serious, lasting condition prevents you meeting the integration requirements, check the medical-exemption route. Choose the application for the problem you need DUO to decide.
- Author
- By Inburgering.org team
- Reviewer
- Reviewed by Kirill Svavolia
Official Sources
- DUO Inburgeren - Aangepast examen bij ziekte of beperking (External site, opens in a new tab) - A2 and knowledge-exam advice requests, PIP level checks, Argonaut assessment, DUO decisions and paper registration after approval.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Aangepast examen doen (External site, opens in a new tab) - B1 and B2 requests during registration, specialist evidence, wheelchair access, possible date and place changes, and standard-exam fallback.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Extra tijd bij aangepast examen (External site, opens in a new tab) - Extra-time arrangements for the four NT2 skills; listening fragments and speaking responses can still be played or recorded only once.
- DUO Inburgeren - Extra tijd vanwege ziekte (External site, opens in a new tab) - Separate illness-extension application, eligibility conditions and instructions to send copies of evidence.
- Regeling inburgering 2021 (Civic Integration Regulations 2021) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Article 3.6 and the medical-assessment protocol list possible exam changes and the limits by exam part and level.
- DUO: adapted-exam advice application (External site, opens in a new tab) - Paper application, submission instructions and the free Argonaut assessment (PDF, 117 KB).
- DUO: medical ontheffing (External site, opens in a new tab) - Medical exemptions for people obliged to integrate under the 2013 or 2021 Act, temporary illness and the separate IND route.
- Staatsexamen Nt2: programmes (External site, opens in a new tab) - Programma I is B1 and Programma II is B2.
- DUO: Staatsexamen Nt2 registration (External site, opens in a new tab) - B1 and B2 registration and requests for exam adaptations.
- DUO: official practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official A2 practice and links to the official B1 and B2 practice environment.
- DigiD: what it is (External site, opens in a new tab) - Digital identification when using government and other public services.
- IND (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official starting point for residence-permit and Dutch-citizenship guidance.
- DUO: which exams you need (External site, opens in a new tab) - Mijn Inburgering shows which exams you need and which integration law applies.
- Regeling inburgering 2021: official publication and medical-assessment protocol (External site, opens in a new tab) - The medical-assessment protocol describes full or partial exemption from the integration obligation and possible exam adaptations.
- DUO: naturalisation and integration proof (External site, opens in a new tab) - DUO and IND responsibilities for exam proof and naturalisation; IND checks the application conditions.
- DUO: integration proof for a stronger residence permit (External site, opens in a new tab) - IND determines the required documents for stronger residence permits and provides guidance on exam proof.