Staatsexamen NT2 (Dutch as a second language state exam): B1 Schrijven (writing exam) tasks

Programma I tests Dutch at B1 in the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Its tasks cover work, study and daily life at mbo (secondary vocational education) levels 3 and 4. See the official explanation of Programma I (External site, opens in a new tab).

In 2026, you use a QWERTY keyboard (with Q-W-E-R-T-Y as its first six letter keys). The keyboard setting is VS Internationaal (US International). The language setting is Nederlands (Dutch). The computer has no spellcheck. Practise typing ë, é, ï and € with those settings. The 2026 exam rules (External site, opens in a new tab) confirm the keyboard and spellcheck rules.

You may use only the paper Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (Dutch as a second language pocket dictionary). Bring your own copy with no notes or loose slips inside. The same dictionary is allowed for Lezen (reading). See the official exam-day dictionary rules (External site, opens in a new tab).

You can move between tasks and return to an earlier answer. The writing instruction film (External site, opens in a new tab) shows the task numbers, timer and special-character button.

For other writing levels, see the A2, B1 and B2 writing exam guide. For integration requirements, see the B1-route (B1 learning route) guide.

The official format has the three task types below. Topics can change, but the counts stay the same. Check the official writing format (External site, opens in a new tab) when you plan your practice.

Assessors check the content and grammar of each sentence answer. Your answer needs to fit the task and be understandable. Each criterion is worth 0 or 1 point. If your content scores 0, your grammar also scores 0. The official assessment rules (External site, opens in a new tab) set these criteria.

Longer tasks always score content and grammar. Including every requested detail gives a starting content score of 2 out of 3; the overall quality can raise or lower it. Spelling, links between ideas and word choice may also score points, depending on the task. Form tasks do not score links between ideas.

Write your own answer. Complete sentences copied from the prompt earn no points. You may copy parts of sentences, such as a name or the words needed to complete a sentence starter.

You pass with a skill score of 500 or higher. Your points are converted into that score. The number of points needed varies with the exam tasks and their difficulty. See the official assessment explanation (External site, opens in a new tab).

In the 2023–2025 public exams, you needed about 54% of the points to pass: 25 of 47 or 26 of 48. Use the assessment model for the public exam you practise.

Use this practice plan to leave time for all 12 tasks and a final check. The suggested ranges below can add up to 105 minutes, so choose times that total no more than 100. Practise with a timer.

Keep sentence answers as short as the task allows. For partial tasks, check every question and picture clue. For short texts, make a brief plan before writing paragraphs. If you spend 50 minutes on tasks 11–12, reduce the final check to 5 minutes.

In the final check, look for missing dates and reasons. Check for complete sentences copied from the prompt. Check verb order after omdat (because), als (if) and zodat (so that).

Start with the official writing instruction film, then use the official state-exam practice environment (External site, opens in a new tab). Use a computer or laptop for that environment. For extra practice from Inburgering.org, try the free B1 writing mock exam.

The 12 tasks below are original practice exercises. Write your answers in Dutch. The school, hotel and company details are invented for these exercises.

The prompts use ROC (regionaal opleidingencentrum, regional vocational college), Verzorgende IG (individual healthcare assistant) and gemeente (municipality). A te + infinitief (te + infinitive) is a verb form such as te oefenen (to practise).

Write one or two sentences for each task. For tasks with a sentence starter, finish the sentence so it fits the situation.

Tasks 1–4 ask you to complete a sentence or question. The starters use want (because) and daarom (therefore).

1. Teamoverleg vrijdag (team meeting on Friday)

   U werkt bij een apotheek. U stuurt een e-mail naar uw collega. Maak de zin af: Vrijdag kan ik helaas niet bij het teamoverleg zijn, want ...

2. Opleiding Verzorgende IG (Verzorgende IG training)

   U wilt misschien de opleiding Verzorgende IG volgen. U stuurt een bericht aan een vriend die deze opleiding doet. Maak de zin af: Ik wil graag met je afspreken, zodat ...

3. Printer werkt niet (printer not working)

   U werkt op de administratie van een school. De printer doet het niet. Maak de zin af: De printer is vandaag kapot. Daarom ...

4. Extra oefenen Nederlands (extra Dutch practice)

   U volgt een cursus Nederlands. U schrijft een bericht aan uw klasgenoten. Maak de zin af met te + infinitief: Wie heeft er tijd om samen ... te ...?

Tasks 5–8 ask you to write a solution, idea, instruction or announcement:

5. Lokaal reserveren (reserving a classroom)

   U werkt op het secretariaat van een ROC. Een docent wil lokaal 2.14 reserveren, maar dat lokaal is bezet. Schrijf een passende oplossing in een e-mail.

6. Overgebleven posters (leftover posters)

   U hebt met medestudenten posters gemaakt voor een project. Er zijn veel posters over. Schrijf een idee om met de posters geld te verdienen.

7. Actie bij fietsenmaker (bicycle repair offer)

   U hebt een fietsenmakerij. Volgende week controleert u fietsbanden voor 4 euro. Schrijf wat klanten moeten doen als ze gebruik willen maken van de actie.

8. Prijs voor sportclub (prize for a sports club)

   Uw sportclub heeft meegedaan aan een wedstrijd voor sportclubs in de gemeente. Schrijf een bericht op de website waarin u vertelt dat de club een geldprijs heeft gewonnen.

These tasks practise a form and a short message. Include every requested detail.

You follow the Zorgassistent (care assistant) programme at ROC Molenwaard. The school asks students whether they want extra practical lessons. Fill in the whole form in Dutch. You may invent the information.

• Welke praktijkles wilt u extra volgen? Leg ook uit waarom.
• Op welke dag of dagen kunt u de extra les volgen?
• Wilt u de les liever in de ochtend of in de middag volgen? Waarom?
• Welke vaardigheid wilt u vooral oefenen tijdens de les?
• Wilt u alleen oefenen of samen met andere studenten? Leg uit waarom.
• Hebt u al ervaring met dit onderwerp? Zo ja, welke ervaring? Zo nee, wat vindt u moeilijk?

You work at the reception of Hotel Lindenhof. Last week your team went to Rotterdam. Your manager asks you two questions: What did you think of the team day? Where do you want to go next year? Use both picture descriptions. The pictures will not be included with your email, so the text must be understandable without them.

• Plaatje 1: Vier collega’s krijgen een rondleiding in de haven van Rotterdam. Ze staan bij het water en kijken naar grote schepen.
• Plaatje 2: De collega’s lunchen op een markt. Ze kopen broodjes en drinken koffie bij een kraam.

Include all three points in your email:

• Describe what you and your colleagues did in Rotterdam. Use both picture descriptions.
• Write which activity you liked most and explain why.
• Write which city you want to visit next year with your colleagues and explain why.

These tasks practise a complaint and a comparison. Use the information in the situation and answer every point.

You ordered a laptop from computer shop SnelComp. Today you received a message: the laptop will arrive six weeks later than expected. Write an email to customer service in Dutch.

Include all six points in your email:

• Write which laptop you ordered and when you ordered it.
• Write the original delivery date and the new delivery date.
• Write what you think of the late delivery and why.
• Suggest at least two solutions, for example a discount, a loan laptop, free accessories, or cancellation without costs.
• Write which solution you prefer and why.
• Write what you expect from SnelComp.

You are enrolled in the Administratief medewerker (administrative assistant) programme. You and a classmate are looking for an internship. You found three possible companies. Use the table in your email to your classmate. The table will not be included with the email, so describe the relevant information yourself.

Include all five points in your email:

• Explain why you are writing.
• Write which three internship companies you found.
• Choose the company you prefer and give at least two reasons from the table.
• Explain why each of the other two companies is less suitable. Give at least one reason per company.
• Write how you and your classmate can contact the company you prefer. You may invent this information.

If you also need to write a real job application, see the guide to job applications in the Netherlands.

Use these five checks after each practice set. They help you find gaps; an official assessment model is needed to score a public exam.

For this 12-task practice set, use 2 points per sentence task, 7 points for the form and 8 points for each of the other three texts: 47 points in total. You need about 25 of 47 points to pass, based on the public-exam examples above. Ask a teacher to mark your answers using the official criteria.

• Content: Did you answer every requested point and stay in the situation?
• Grammar: Are your verbs in the right place, especially after omdat, als, dat (that) and zodat?
• Spelling: Did you check common words, dates, addresses and formal endings?
• Links between ideas: Did you use words such as eerst (first), daarna (then), daarom (therefore), want and omdat?
• Word choice: Did you use words that describe the task clearly? Check whether you repeat the same word too often.

Keep a short list of phrases with separate groups for formal openings, informal openings, proposals, complaints, preferences and expectations. After each practice set, add phrases you needed for that task.

If you leave out details, check each task point against your answer before checking grammar. If you run out of time, practise the 100-minute plan above. Aim for one full set each week until you can finish with 5–10 minutes left for checks.

Practise special characters with US International keyboard settings. Use the official instruction film and practice environment to learn the exam screen.

A correct sentence can still earn 0 points if it misses the task. Check what each task asks before you spend time improving the wording.

• Staatsexamen NT2: levels, registration and results
• Writing exams at A2, B1 and B2
• Extra free B1 writing mock exam