Dutch Reading Exam (Lezen): A1, A2, B1 and B2 Guide

The Dutch reading exam is called Lezen. The format depends on your route. A1 Lezen belongs to the civic integration exam abroad (basisexamen inburgering buitenland), which some applicants take before applying for a provisional residence permit (MVV). A2 Lezen is a 65-minute DUO computer exam for many inburgering candidates. B1 and B2 Lezen belong to the Dutch as a second language state exam (Staatsexamen NT2). Programma I at B1 lasts 110 minutes, and Programma II at B2 lasts 100 minutes. Both use multiple-choice questions about Dutch texts.

The name Lezen stays the same, but the texts and questions change with the level. A1 uses simple words and short practical texts. A2 texts are longer, and the questions are less direct. B1 and B2 use longer texts about work, education and daily life. You choose the answer supported by each text.

The official A1 practice format has 19 questions in 35 minutes. For B1 and B2, you receive a booklet with texts and answer 35 or 36 multiple-choice questions on the computer.

For a deeper guide, use the A1 reading guide, A2 Lezen guide, B1 NT2 reading guide or B2 NT2 reading guide.

Most reading questions are not asking you to translate the whole text. They ask a smaller question: What is the purpose? Who is the message for? What must this person do? Which rule applies? What does this paragraph mean? Which sentence gives the conclusion? At B1 and B2, some questions require the whole paragraph, while others only require searching for one detail.

• Purpose questions: read the title, first lines and last lines. Ask: why was this text written?
• Detail questions: look for names, dates, times, prices, places, conditions and exceptions.
• Meaning questions: read the sentence before and after the difficult sentence. The answer is usually in the context.
• Search questions: use headings, table rows and repeated keywords before reading the whole text.
• Opinion questions: separate the writer's opinion from examples, quotes or other people's opinions.

Find enough evidence in the text to choose one answer; you do not need to understand every word. If two answers look possible, return to the exact sentence in the Dutch text. Choose the answer that matches its words rather than one that sounds generally true.

• Read the question first, then decide whether you need the whole text or only one section.
• Underline or mentally mark proof words: dates, amounts, names, verbs like must, may, can, cannot, and signal words like but, because, therefore and unless.
• Do not spend too long on one unknown word. At NT2 level, use the dictionary only when the word blocks the answer.
• Answer every multiple-choice question. If you are unsure, choose the best supported answer and mark it for review if the computer allows it.
• During practice, write down the sentence that supports each answer.

For NT2 Lezen, the official pages allow only the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2). Bring a clean paper copy yourself.

Use official practice first so you understand the real screen, timing and question style. Then use extra practice to build speed and confidence. Extra practice is useful, but it should never replace the official examples.

• For A2, start with the official DUO/Inburgeren practice exams, then practise with the free A2 reading summary and A2 reading practice workbook.
• For NT2 B1 or B2, use the official Staatsexamen NT2 practice environment, then choose the B1 reading summary, B1 practice workbook, B2 reading summary or B2 practice workbook.
• For A1 abroad, use the A1 reading summary and A1 reading practice workbook after checking the official Naar Nederland material.

• Practising at the wrong level. A2 practice is too short and simple for B1; B2 practice can be discouraging if you only need A2.
• Reading every text from start to finish before looking at the questions. This wastes time on search questions.
• Choosing an answer because it uses the same keyword as the text. Check the whole sentence, especially words like not, only, before, after and unless.
• Using the NT2 dictionary for every unknown word. Look up only the word that decides the answer.
• Only doing practice tests. Also read real Dutch: letters from school, gemeente pages, work notices, health websites, transport rules and simple news.

• First, confirm your required level. If you are unsure, read the exam decision guide or check Mijn Inburgering.
• Second, do one official practice exam without pausing. Record your score and completion time.
• Third, study every wrong answer. Find the Dutch words that prove the correct answer.
• Fourth, practise the text types that caused trouble: schedules, rules, letters, long articles, opinion texts or tables.
• Finally, repeat a timed set and practise finding textual evidence steadily under time pressure.

If you are still unsure which exam path applies to you, start with Which Dutch exam do you need? before choosing a reading practice plan.