Spreken (Dutch speaking) exams: compare A1, A2, B1 and B2

Your integration rules and any exemptions determine which exams you need. DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, the Dutch education service) (External site, opens in a new tab) tells you which integration exams you need. Check Mijn Inburgering (My Integration portal) (External site, opens in a new tab) or the message from your gemeente (municipality). For all the exam parts, see the inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam) guide.

For a residence application, check the requirement from the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, the Dutch immigration service) (External site, opens in a new tab). Some applicants for a machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf (MVV, provisional residence permit) need the A1 exam abroad. Exemptions and waivers exist. For the residence procedure, see the MVV and family reunification guide.

For work or study, check the level your employer or school asks for. For residence proof, check the IND’s integration requirement (External site, opens in a new tab) before choosing B2.

A1 and A2 test short spoken answers. B1 and B2 test speaking in work, study and daily-life situations. This table compares the formats on the official pages.

The NT2 format page (External site, opens in a new tab) gives about 25 minutes for B1 and B2 speaking. DUO’s language-exam overview (External site, opens in a new tab) gives about 30 minutes.

A1 candidates take the exam on a computer at an embassy or consulate abroad. The IND also lists external service providers. You speak your answers into a microphone. A2 also uses a computer: you watch videos and answer questions in Dutch.

In NT2 speaking, you listen through headphones and read the task on screen. You speak into a microphone after the beep. The computer records your answer and moves to the next task automatically. You cannot return to an earlier task or skip ahead. You cannot use a dictionary during NT2 speaking.

Answer the whole task before adding detail. Use these checks when you practise; the task decides how much you need to say:

• A1: a short word group or one simple sentence can be enough. It needs to answer the question or complete the sentence and be understandable.
• A2: for our practice, start with one to three clear sentences. Answer the question. Add a visible detail, reason, time or place when the task asks for it. Use more sentences if needed to answer the whole task.
• B1: short tasks allow 20 seconds and medium tasks allow 30 seconds. Practise explaining a problem, making an appointment, giving advice, making a complaint or describing a choice.
• B2: short and medium tasks use the same time limits as B1. The long task gives you preparation time and 2 minutes to speak. Practise comparing options, defending an opinion, explaining a work or study situation, or giving a presentation.

At every level, give a relevant answer first. Long silences leave assessors with less speech to score. For A1 and A2, a missing answer scores 0 for that task.

Each exam uses its own scoring system. For NT2 speaking, two trained assessors mark your answers. A converted score of 500 or higher means you pass the speaking part. The A1 and A2 level guides in the table explain their scoring systems.

For fees and booking, use the exam costs and fees guide and the exam registration guide.

Official practice shows the task format. For A1, the real exam looks different from the practice exam. Start with the official examples for your level:

• A1 official speaking practice (External site, opens in a new tab).
• A2 official DUO speaking practice (External site, opens in a new tab).
• B1 and B2 official NT2 practice (External site, opens in a new tab).

Then use Inburgering.org’s extra free practice: A2 speaking workbook, B1 speaking workbook or B2 speaking workbook. These are our exercises, with model answers.

Use this routine with the official task timing:

1. Confirm your required level in your letter or study requirement.
2. Choose the matching level guide from the table.
3. Record an answer within the task’s speaking time. For NT2, start after the beep.
4. Listen to your recording and check whether you answered every part of the task.
5. Record the answer again, adding any missing detail.

Practise phrases to correct yourself: Sorry, ik bedoel… (Sorry, I mean…), Ik zeg het nog een keer (I will say it again) and Mijn antwoord is… (My answer is…). Use a phrase when you need it, then continue your answer.

Before booking or retaking an exam, check the exam-day rules and the exam results timeline.

Check these habits when you listen to your recording:

• Practising B1 or B2 only as a live interview. In the NT2 exam, you speak to a computer and microphone. Practise with that setup.
• Memorising a full script that answers only one prompt. Practise short sentence patterns that you can change when the question changes.
• Using difficult grammar before answering the question. Give the answer first, then add the details the task asks for.
• Using A2 practice to judge B1 or B2 readiness. Use your level’s task types and time limits.
• Treating our practice questions as the real exam. Use them to practise answering different questions.

If your required level is clear, choose the matching guide in the table and practise with its timing. If your route is unclear, check your DUO, IND or gemeente message before booking. A2 practice alone does not show whether you are ready for B1 or B2.

• Which Dutch exam do you need?
• Free speaking summaries and workbooks
• How to register for your exam