Dutch Integration Exams: Language, Society, Work, and Participation Parts
Simple overview of each Dutch integration exam part, who usually takes it, and where to check your personal route.
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- By Inburgering.org team
- Reviewer
- Reviewed by Kirill Svavolia
- Last updated
Dutch integration can involve language exams, knowledge exams, and participation requirements. Your official route determines which ones apply. The A1 civic integration exam abroad (basisexamen inburgering buitenland) usually comes before an application for a provisional residence permit (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, MVV). The A2 civic integration exam (inburgeringsexamen) generally applies under the Civic Integration Act 2013 (Wet inburgering 2013). B1 or B2 usually means the Dutch as a second language state exam (Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal, Nt2). Your law, route, and official file determine which knowledge and participation parts also apply.
What are the Dutch integration exams?
Dutch integration consists of language, knowledge and participation requirements. Check Mijn Inburgering and, under the Civic Integration Act 2021 (Wet inburgering 2021), your personal integration and participation plan (persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie, PIP) from your municipality (gemeente). Those official documents list the parts you need and any exemptions.
Dutch Integration Exams: Key Points
- Start with Mijn Inburgering, your DUO letters, and your PIP if your gemeente made one.
- A1 abroad is the basisexamen inburgering buitenland, often needed before an MVV application.
- A2 language exams are reading, listening, writing and speaking. DUO says these are usually for people under Wet inburgering 2013.
- B1 and B2 language exams are called Staatsexamen NT2. Programma I is B1 and Programma II is B2.
- KNM is about Dutch society. ONA, MAP and PVT are about work, participation and Dutch values, but they do not apply to everyone in the same way.
Route and Exam Overview
The table shows common routes, not a personal exam decision. Your DUO file or PIP can list different requirements.
For a step-by-step route check, read which Dutch exam do you need.
| Situation | Usual exam or route | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Before moving to the Netherlands with an MVV | A1 basisexamen inburgering buitenland | A basic exam abroad about Dutch language and society. |
| Wet inburgering 2013 | A2 language exams plus KNM, and sometimes ONA and PVT | You arrange many steps yourself through DUO and Mijn Inburgering. |
| Wet inburgering 2021 B1-route or onderwijsroute | Usually B1, sometimes B2, through Staatsexamen NT2 | Your gemeente guides you and your PIP says what you must do. |
| Wet inburgering 2021 Z-route | A practical route set by the gemeente | You learn language and participation in a more practical way. Your gemeente tells you what proof is needed. |
| Citizenship, stronger residence, work or study | Inburgeringsdiploma or Staatsexamen Nt2 diploma | The proof you need depends on IND, school, employer or profession rules. |
Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking Exams
The language exams check practical Dutch. At A2 they are DUO inburgeringsexamen parts. At B1 and B2 they are Staatsexamen Nt2 parts. Each level requires different reading, listening, writing and speaking skills.
| Part | Plain meaning | What to practise first |
|---|---|---|
| Lezen, reading | Understand short or longer written texts and choose answers. | Find names, dates, prices, reasons and the main message. |
| Luisteren, listening | Listen to audio or videos and answer questions. | Practise everyday situations, not only single words. |
| Schrijven, writing | Write forms, short messages, emails or longer tasks. | Use clear sentences, correct information and a simple structure. |
| Spreken, speaking | Speak into a microphone and answer prompts. | Give short complete answers with enough detail. |
KNM, ONA, MAP and PVT
The four parts cover different subjects and follow different routes. Your official file determines which ones apply.
| Part | What it covers | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge of Dutch Society (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, KNM) | Daily life in the Netherlands: work, school, housing, healthcare, rules and society. | A knowledge exam. |
| Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt, ONA) | The labour market. | Mainly for Wet inburgering 2013 or voluntary integration. You work with result cards, a portfolio and sometimes a final interview or a 64-hour ONA course. |
| Labour Market and Participation module (Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie, MAP) | Work, job search and participation. | Applies under Wet inburgering 2021 when your PIP requires it. The gemeente arranges it. |
| Participation statement process (Participatieverklaringstraject, PVT) | Dutch values and active participation. | The gemeente usually organizes it and reports completion to DUO. |
Registration Routes by Exam
Registration depends on the exam family. A2, Nt2, MAP, PVT and the A1 exam abroad use different registration routes.
| Exam | Where to start |
|---|---|
| A1 basisexamen abroad | Register with DUO first, then make the appointment through the Dutch representation or external provider. |
| A2 language exams, KNM or ONA | Use Mijn Inburgering when you can log in. DUO also has forms for some situations. |
| B1 or B2 Staatsexamen NT2 | Use the Staatsexamen NT2 registration information from DUO/CvTE. |
| MAP or PVT | Contact your gemeente, which arranges these parts locally. |
Dutch Integration Exam Mistakes
- Thinking the A1 exam abroad finishes all integration. IND says that after you receive the MVV and live in the Netherlands, you may still need to integrate further.
- Using only your arrival date. DUO says the official start date of your inburgeringsplicht is in Mijn Inburgering.
- Confusing ONA and MAP. ONA belongs mainly to the 2013 system, while MAP belongs to the 2021 system when your PIP requires it.
- Practising only grammar. These exams test real tasks: reading letters, understanding appointments, writing messages, speaking clearly and understanding Dutch society.
- Assuming practice sites are official. Use official DUO, IND, Naar Nederland and Staatsexamen NT2 information for rules. Use Inburgering.org practice as extra preparation.
Your Next Exam-Preparation Steps
- First, check your route in Mijn Inburgering and read your most recent DUO or gemeente letter.
- If you are still choosing the right route, use the decision guide before booking anything.
- For a broad exam guide, read the inburgeringsexamen guide. For A1 abroad, start with the basisexamen buitenland guide.
- For B1 or B2, read the Staatsexamen NT2 guide. For KNM, use the KNM guide and the free KNM summary.
- For extra practice, use official practice environments first, then use Inburgering.org free exam practice for additional timed practice.
Official Sources
Official source checked: May 2026.
- Inburgeren.nl - Welke examens - DUO overview of which exam parts apply under Wet inburgering 2013 and Wet inburgering 2021.
- Inburgeren.nl - Taalexamens - DUO explanation of A2 language exams and how B1/B2 language exams relate to Staatsexamen NT2.
- Inburgeren.nl - Kennisexamens - DUO explanation of KNM, MAP, ONA and PVT.
- Inburgeren.nl - Aanmelden examen - DUO guidance on where to register for A2, KNM, ONA, B1/B2, MAP and PVT.
- IND - Civic Integration Exam Abroad - IND explanation of the basisexamen inburgering buitenland for MVV applicants.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Inburgeren met het staatsexamen Nt2 - CvTE explanation of how NT2 Programma I and II can be used for inburgering.
- Staatsexamens NT2 - Hoe ziet het examen eruit? - Official format overview for the NT2 writing, speaking, reading and listening exams.
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