A2 writing is on paper; B1 and B2 use a computer
Book the writing exam at your required level with DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, the Dutch education service). Book a standard A2 exam in Mijn Inburgering (My Integration) (External site, opens in a new tab), or a standard B1 or B2 exam in Mijn DUO (My DUO).
A standard A2 exam has four tasks on paper in 40 minutes. Standard B1 and B2 exams take 100 minutes on a computer.
In 2026, each writing exam has a standard fee of €50.
Your required writing level
For civic integration, check your level in Mijn Inburgering or your letter from DUO (External site, opens in a new tab). Under the Wet inburgering 2021 (Civic Integration Act 2021), your gemeente (municipality) records your route in your PIP (persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie, personal integration and participation plan). The PIP also states your exam level. Follow your own documents when choosing A2, B1 or B2.
A2 writing is part of the inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam). At B1 and B2, you take the Staatsexamen NT2 (Dutch as a second language state exam). Programma I (Programme I) is B1 and is intended for work or study at mbo (secondary vocational education) level 3 or 4. Programma II (Programme II) is B2. It is intended for work or study at hbo (higher professional education at a university of applied sciences) or research university level. The state exam lets you take B2 without passing B1 first.
If your level is unclear, read which Dutch exam you need and A2 and B1 level requirements before booking. The basisexamen inburgering buitenland (basic civic integration exam abroad) (External site, opens in a new tab) is different. It has A1 reading, A1 speaking and knowledge of Dutch society, with no separate writing exam.
The B1-route (B1 integration route) aims at B1. DUO explains the integration routes and required exams (External site, opens in a new tab). Another candidate’s level may differ from yours.
Writing tasks at each level
The exams ask you to write messages or texts for everyday life, work or study. For practice, check that your answer covers every requested point. Use a tone that fits the reader.
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| Level | Writing tasks | What to practise |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | A form, short letter, email, note or short text. | Complete sentences, dates, names, addresses, greetings and every requested point. |
| B1 | Sentence tasks, completing a form or message, and short texts. | Task order, word order, linking words and relevant detail. Try a short email, complaint or comparison as practice. |
| B2 | Sentence tasks, short texts and medium-length texts. A task may include a table, graph, image, problem or proposed solution. | Structure, precise words, formal tone, arguments and relevant information from the task. |
For example, a message to a colleague and a formal proposal need different greetings and wording.
DUO’s A2 writing practice PDFs (External site, opens in a new tab) include emails, forms and a note to a colleague. The NT2 writing format (External site, opens in a new tab) explains the task types at B1 and B2. Complaints and comparisons above are practice examples, not a fixed list of exam tasks.
Writing formats at A2, B1 and B2
The table gives the standard writing formats and durations. An approved exam adjustment may give you extra time or other support. Practise by hand for A2 and by typing for B1 or B2.
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| Level | Official exam | Format | Writing context |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2 | Inburgeringsexamen Schrijven | 40 minutes; pen and paper; four tasks. | Everyday life: forms and short messages. |
| B1 | Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I Schrijven | 100 minutes; computer; typed answers. | Mbo level 3 or 4; practical work and study situations. |
| B2 | Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II Schrijven | 100 minutes; computer; typed answers. | Hbo or university level; more complex work and study texts. |
Dictionary rules for B1 and B2
For B1 and B2 writing, you may use only the paper Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2) (Van Dale pocket dictionary for Dutch as a second language). Bring a copy with you if you want to use it. The NT2 dictionary rules (External site, opens in a new tab) prohibit borrowing a dictionary from another candidate during the exam, inserting notes, making annotations and using electronic aids.
All older editions of this specific dictionary are also allowed. The official notice on dictionary editions (External site, opens in a new tab) confirms that you can keep using an older copy.
Scores, results and resits
A2 gives you a pass or fail result. B1 and B2 require a score of at least 500, after the exam points are converted to a score. The table compares the result rules.
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| Level | Assessment | Results | Resit |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2 | Certified assessors mark writing. DUO reports pass or fail and a grade. | Usually within 8 weeks; currently up to 16 weeks for A2 writing. By letter and in Mijn Inburgering. | If you fail and still need A2, book the writing exam again. |
| B1 and B2 | Two trained assessors mark writing. You pass with a score of 500 or higher. | The exam schedule gives the date. Results appear in Mijn DUO and arrive by email and post. | Register again for a failed component after you receive its result. |
A2 writing and speaking results currently take up to 16 weeks. DUO announced the delay in its 31 July 2026 notice (External site, opens in a new tab).
DUO automatically gives you 6 extra months near the end of your integration period if you are waiting for an A2 writing or speaking result. You do not need to apply. DUO sends you a letter confirming the extension.
The NT2 assessment rules (External site, opens in a new tab) explain this conversion.
Check the A2 result rules (External site, opens in a new tab) or the NT2 result date and delivery rules (External site, opens in a new tab). You use DigiD (Dutch digital identity) to view NT2 results in Mijn DUO. Without DigiD, you receive them by email and post. For more detail, read A2 results and resits or NT2 results and resits.
Writing exam fees
In 2026, the standard fee is €50 for A2 writing (External site, opens in a new tab) and €50 for B1 or B2 writing (External site, opens in a new tab). This is the fee for one writing attempt, not all exam components.
Your first two attempts at each exam are free if you integrate under the Wet inburgering 2021 with asylum status. This does not apply if you take an exam below the level in your PIP. An exam at a higher level is allowed. Check free exam attempts under the 2021 Act or exam costs and loans for the rules that fit your case.
Writing exam booking
Use the booking route for your level. If illness, disability, dyslexia or another limitation affects writing or typing, check the adjustment rules before booking. For a standard exam, follow these steps:
- Check the writing level in your PIP, DUO letter or Mijn Inburgering.
- Open A2 exam registration (External site, opens in a new tab) or B1 and B2 registration through DUO (External site, opens in a new tab).
- Choose an available date and place for that level.
A2 uses Mijn Inburgering. B1 and B2 use Mijn DUO. Both use DigiD to sign in. If you cannot sign in for A2, the official registration page offers a paper form. For B1 or B2, DUO also offers registration without DigiD if you cannot obtain it.
A2 places can involve a wait of more than 6 weeks. B1 and B2 registration opens about 8 weeks before an exam; the exam schedule gives the exact opening date and time. Allow for these booking waits and up to 16 weeks for A2 writing results when planning around your deadline.
Exam adjustments for illness or disability
If illness, disability, dyslexia or another limitation affects writing or typing, check the adjustment rules before booking. An adjustment may let you take the exam with extra time or other support. Approval depends on your circumstances.
For an adapted A2 exam, follow the A2 exam adjustments procedure (External site, opens in a new tab):
- Request advice through Mijn Inburgering. If you cannot sign in, use the paper advice form.
- If DUO approves an adapted exam, book it with the paper registration form.
For an adapted B1 or B2 exam, follow the NT2 exam adjustments procedure (External site, opens in a new tab):
- State your personal circumstances when registering.
- Discuss with DUO which supporting document you need.
- Send DUO the supporting document it requires to confirm your need for an adjustment.
An adjusted NT2 exam may take place on another date or at another location.
Writing practice with official tasks
Start with the official DUO A2 writing PDFs (External site, opens in a new tab) or the official NT2 practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab). The NT2 practice environment does not work properly on a phone or tablet. Use a computer or laptop for NT2 practice. We suggest this practice order:
- Complete one official writing task at your level.
- Record what caused difficulty: vocabulary, time, handwriting, typing or understanding the task.
- Practise that skill with another task of the same type.
- Try a full practice exam within the exam time.
For B1 or B2, we recommend registering through Mijn DUO only when you can finish practice tasks within the time limit. Check registration dates while you practise and allow for booking and result waits if your integration deadline is close.
Use these habits when practising and reviewing your writing:
- Match the text type and tone: a form, complaint, invitation, report or proposal needs different wording.
- Answer every requested point. Use short, complete sentences where the task asks for them. Leave out unrelated detail.
- Ask a teacher, another person or a feedback tool whether the message is clear, polite and complete.
- Practise typing Dutch accents, punctuation and paragraphs in the exam environment if you are preparing for B1 or B2.
- Use the NT2 dictionary for words you need to complete the task. Leave time to write and check your answer.
Writing guides and extra practice
Choose the guide for your required level. Our guides and free workbooks provide extra practice alongside the official tasks:
- A2 writing exam guide: forms, short letters, notes and sample tasks.
- B1 writing task types: Programma I tasks and a practice set.
- B2 writing exam guide: Programma II format, strategy and practice.
- NT2 B2 writing exercises: extra prompts after the B2 guide.
- A2 writing workbook, B1 writing workbook or B2 writing workbook: extra free writing practice.
Your writing exam plan
If your required level is unclear, check your PIP or DUO record before paying for an exam. If you know your level, try an official task and use the matching writing guide.
For B1 or B2, we recommend registering through Mijn DUO only when you can finish practice tasks within the time limit. Check booking dates while you practise, especially if your deadline is close.
For A2, allow up to 16 weeks for writing results. DUO automatically gives you 6 extra months near the end of your integration period if you are waiting for A2 writing or speaking results.
If you need an adjustment, use the adapted-exam procedure before booking a standard exam.
Official Sources
- DUO: A2, B1 and B2 language exams (External site, opens in a new tab) - A2 writing format, B1 and B2 NT2 reference, and official exam durations.
- DUO: official practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official A2 writing practice PDFs and B1 and B2 practice links.
- DUO: registering for exams (External site, opens in a new tab) - Registration split between A2 exams in Mijn Inburgering and B1 and B2 Staatsexamen NT2.
- DUO: A2 exam results (External site, opens in a new tab) - A2 results by letter and in Mijn Inburgering; the usual 8-week term has a temporary 16-week exception for writing and speaking.
- Staatsexamens NT2: what is the exam? (External site, opens in a new tab) - Programma I/B1 and Programma II/B2 level context.
- Staatsexamens NT2: how the exam looks (External site, opens in a new tab) - B1 and B2 writing duration, task mix, computer format, and dictionary rule.
- Staatsexamens NT2: practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab) - Official NT2 practice environment and requirement to use a computer or laptop.
- Staatsexamens NT2: register with DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) - B1 and B2 registration timing, Mijn DUO, DigiD, and call letter.
- Staatsexamens NT2: assessment (External site, opens in a new tab) - Trained assessors and the 500 score needed to pass an NT2 component.
- Staatsexamens NT2: results via DUO (External site, opens in a new tab) - Where B1 and B2 results appear and how diplomas and certificates work.
- Staatsexamens NT2: resits (External site, opens in a new tab) - Retaking a failed NT2 component after the result is known.
- DUO: Mijn Inburgering (External site, opens in a new tab) - Viewing required exams and DUO letters, and signing in with DigiD.
- DUO: writing exam fees and free attempts (External site, opens in a new tab) - The €50 A2 writing fee and free-attempt conditions for asylum status holders under the 2021 Act.
- DUO: NT2 exam fees (External site, opens in a new tab) - The €50 fee for a writing component at B1 or B2.
- DUO: civic integration exam regulations (PDF) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Certified A2 writing assessors and pass-or-fail results with a grade.
- DUO: A2 writing practice exam 1 (PDF) (External site, opens in a new tab) - Email and form examples in official A2 practice.
- DUO: A2 writing practice exam 3 (PDF) (External site, opens in a new tab) - A note to a colleague, an email and a form in official A2 practice.
- Staatsexamens NT2: permitted dictionary editions (External site, opens in a new tab) - All older editions of the permitted NT2 pocket dictionary remain allowed.
- DUO: A2 exam adjustments (External site, opens in a new tab) - PIP exam levels, requesting A2 adjustments, and paper booking after approval.
- Staatsexamens NT2: exam adjustments (External site, opens in a new tab) - Disability, dyslexia and personal circumstances; requests during registration and possible changes of date or location.
- Naar Nederland (official website for the exam abroad): exam content (External site, opens in a new tab) - The exam abroad has A1 reading, A1 speaking and knowledge of Dutch society; no writing component.
- DUO: integration routes and required exams (External site, opens in a new tab) - The PIP records the integration route and required exams; the B1 route aims at B1.
- DigiD: digital identity (External site, opens in a new tab) - DigiD identifies you when you arrange government and other affairs online.
- DUO: temporary delay for A2 writing and speaking results (External site, opens in a new tab) - 31 July 2026 notice: results within 16 weeks and an automatic 6-month extension for candidates near their integration deadline who are waiting for these results.