Read the question, then find proof in the text
For a long B1 exam text, read the question first so you know what to look for. For a date, rule or condition, scan and then read the surrounding sentences. For purpose, opinion or conclusion, read the introduction, relevant paragraphs and ending carefully. Follow any instruction to read the whole text. Choose the answer the text proves.
What does the B1 reading exam involve?
Staatsexamen NT2 Lezen tests your understanding of texts about work, study and daily life in the Netherlands. Programma I (Programme I) (External site, opens in a new tab) is the B1 exam. The Staatsexamen NT2 reading guide explains the full format.
The official reading format and instructions (External site, opens in a new tab) describe these exam features:
- You have 110 minutes for six texts.
- You read the texts in a paper booklet and answer multiple-choice questions on a computer.
- The instruction transcript says 35 or 36 questions. The main format page currently says 36.
- Each question has one correct answer. Some need the whole text or a paragraph; others need one piece of information.
The exam-day dictionary rules (External site, opens in a new tab) allow only the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2) (Dutch as a second language pocket dictionary). Bring your own paper copy if you want to use one. You may not borrow another candidate’s dictionary or use an electronic dictionary.
What score do you need to pass?
You need a converted score of 500 or higher to pass (External site, opens in a new tab). Each correct reading answer earns one point. The computer converts your points into the exam score. When you use an official practice paper, check its own scoring table.
Which small words change the answer?
A small word can change a condition even when you understand the topic. Watch alleen (only), behalve (except), tenzij (unless), vanaf (from) and uiterlijk (no later than). Also check niet (not) and geen (no) before choosing an answer.
Practice example: “U kunt zich tot 1 juni aanmelden, behalve als de cursus vol is.” (You can register until 1 June, except when the course is full.) “You can always register until 1 June” misses the exception. The answer needs to include both the date and the condition.
Words such as daarom (therefore), daardoor (as a result), hoewel (although) and volgens (according to) show reasons, contrasts or whose opinion you are reading. The answer options may use different words from the text.
Which reading method fits the question?
Use the question to decide which information to look for. These methods help you find it; follow any instruction to read the whole text.
You can scroll wide tables sideways.
| Question type | How to read | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose or main message | Read the title, context, whole text and ending. Check how each paragraph supports the main message. | Choosing a small detail instead of the whole message. |
| Detail, date or condition | Scan for a keyword or a word with the same meaning. Read the surrounding sentences. | Missing an exception or a negative word. |
| Meaning or relationship | Read the whole paragraph slowly. Check words that show reasons, contrasts and results. | Looking up one word but missing the relation between sentences. |
| Person or situation matching | Underline what the person needs and compare every condition. | Choosing an answer that partly matches but fails one condition. |
| Detail in long rules or an information page | Use headings, article numbers and bold words to search. | Reading everything slowly before knowing what you need. |
How can you divide the 110 minutes?
Try this time plan for the six texts: allow 16 minutes per text. Six times 16 is 96 minutes, leaving 14 minutes for harder questions and a final check. This is a practice plan, not a separate time limit for each text.
You may finish a rules text sooner when the questions ask you to find details. An opinion article may need more of the 14 minutes you kept aside. If two answers still look possible after about two minutes, choose the one with the best evidence. Mark the question for later.
Before time runs out, open Overzicht (overview) and check that every question has an answer. You can return to marked questions before you submit. The official screen instructions (External site, opens in a new tab) explain how to mark and revisit questions.
How can you read a long text step by step?
Use this order for each text. If the instructions tell you to read the whole text, do that before selecting your answers. If a rules text has clear headings, you can answer its easier search questions first.
- Read the short introduction, title and headings. Identify the source: a website, study book, article, leaflet or rules page. Ask who wrote it, for whom and why.
- Read the questions. Mark names, numbers, dates, places and words that show conditions.
- Find the relevant section. Check headings, paragraph openings and lists. For a detail question, scan; for purpose, opinion or conclusion, read the text closely.
- Find proof for your answer. Read around the possible answer and compare every condition.
- Compare the answer options with the text. Keep only options supported by the text.
- If you brought the permitted paper dictionary, look up a word only when its meaning decides the answer. You already know which sentence matters.
Which texts can you practise?
Public B1 papers include company pages, study-book explanations, research and opinion articles, personal job stories, volunteer texts and long sets of rules.
For rules and conditions, look for dates and exceptions. For articles and interviews, look for the main message and opinion. Use the official oefenomgeving (practice environment) to practise with full exam texts.
You can scroll wide tables sideways.
| Text type | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Work or company text | tasks, requirements, reasons, benefits and what the writer wants the reader to do |
| Education or study-book text | definitions, roles, procedures and links between causes and results |
| Article or interview | main message, opinion, examples and conclusions |
| Volunteer or job advertisement | who the text is for, expectations, support and persuasive language |
| Rules or conditions | dates, exceptions, permission, obligation, payment and special cases |
The 2025 public paper tells you to read texts 1–5 in full. For its final text, it tells you to read each question first and search for the answer. Follow the instructions for the paper you are using.
Start with the official NT2 practice environment and instructions (External site, opens in a new tab) on a computer or laptop. The site says the environment works properly on those devices. Use our B1 reading practice workbook for extra practice.
When should you use the dictionary?
Look up a word when its meaning decides an answer. If you can answer from the paragraph, keep reading. Looking up every unfamiliar word leaves less time for the other questions.
Practise with the same dictionary before exam day. Use these tips for dictionary practice and exam day:
- Find the part of the text that answers the question before you open the dictionary.
- Look up an unfamiliar verb or noun if its meaning decides the answer. Check small words for conditions and exceptions too.
- We suggest removing your notes, stickers and loose papers before practice. The exam rules prohibit added text, notes and slips of paper.
- If dictionary use slows you down, try one timed text without it. Review unfamiliar words after the timer.
Which practice should you choose?
Choose your practice from the mistakes you make. Use these steps after a full timed set of 35 or 36 questions:
- Check your answers and the paper’s scoring table.
- Give each mistake one label: vocabulary, condition, purpose, detail or time pressure.
- Practise the question type you find hardest for a few days.
- Build a short revision list using the signal words above.
If you miss conditions, practise detail questions and underline the words that limit the answer. If you run out of time despite understanding the text, try the 16-minute plan. In your final week, finish each timed set. Check that every question has an answer. Use the official environment to practise the exam screen.
Official Sources
- Staatsexamens NT2: Hoe ziet het examen eruit? (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official reading format, six texts, 110-minute Programma I timing, question types, screen controls and dictionary rules. Main text says 36 questions; instruction transcript says 35 or 36.
- Staatsexamens NT2: Examens oefenen (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official NT2 practice environment and instruction films.
- Staatsexamens NT2: Hoe gaat het examen? (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official exam-day rules for identity documents, the call letter, writing materials and dictionary use.
- Inburgeren.nl (official civic integration website): Taalexamens A2, B1 en B2 (External site, opens in a new tab) - DUO (the Dutch education service) explains that B1 and B2 language exams are Staatsexamen NT2 and that B1 reading lasts 110 minutes.
- Staatsexamens NT2: Wat is het staatsexamen Nt2? (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official explanation that Programma I is B1.
- Staatsexamens NT2: Beoordeling examen (External site, opens in a new tab) - One point per correct reading answer; points are converted to a score, with 500 or higher needed to pass.
- Staatsexamens NT2: Vragen van kandidaten (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official guidance on unfamiliar words, dictionary use and how exam scores work.