You will understand exactly how the writing exam is scored after reading this guide. Candidates often fear failure because of one wrong verb ending, but this isn't the case in reality. Understanding the schrijven a2 beoordeling criteria (writing A2 assessment criteria) allows you to write with confidence while focusing on the information DUO needs to see. You don't need a perfect vocabulary to pass. By focusing on clarity, you ensure that the examiner gives you the points you need to reach that voldoende (sufficient) score.
Understand the three main grading pillars — Grades are based on task completion, comprehensibility, and grammatical accuracy in that order of importance.
DUO employs a specific scoring system for the Schrijven (Writing) section of the inburgeringsexamen. Each task on your screen typically offers a maximum of 2 or 3 points. Examiners look at three specific pillars when they read your responses to prompts about the huisarts (GP) or your zorgverzekeraar (health insurer). The first and most influential pillar is task completion. If the prompt asks you to mention a time, a place, and a reason for an appointment, you must provide all three. Missing just one of these components can immediately drop your score for that specific question to 1 or even 0 points, regardless of how beautiful your Dutch sounds.
Comprehensibility forms the second pillar of the assessment. The grader asks themselves if a native Dutch person can understand your message without having to read it three times. A sentence like "Ik gisteren naar stad gaan" is grammatically broken, but the meaning is clear. You'll likely receive partial points here because the intent is obvious. However, if your errors make the sentence a mystery, you'll fail the task. The examiner won't guess what you meant to say.
Grammatical accuracy is the final pillar and is the least weighted for the A2 level. DUO accepts that you're a beginner. They expect mistakes with het and de or minor spelling slips. You aren't being tested on your ability to write like a novelist. You're being tested on your ability to function in Dutch society. If your grammar is poor but your message is 100% clear and completes the task, you can still pass the exam. Most students lose points here by trying to use complex tenses they haven't practiced enough.
Each exam is graded by two independent examiners to ensure fairness. If their scores don't match, a third senior grader makes the final decision. This system protects you from a single harsh grader. You should focus on being functional rather than perfect.
Calculate the impact of common grammar mistakes — Identify which errors are ignored by examiners and which ones reduce your score to a zero.
Not all mistakes carry the same weight in the eyes of a DUO grader. You might spend ten minutes worrying about whether to use de or het before a word. In reality, an article error is considered a minor mistake that rarely leads to a failing grade on its own. Examiners look for patterns of errors rather than isolated slips. They distinguish between errors that hinder communication and those that are technical flaws.
The 'message first' rule for task completion
The most important rule is that the message must reach the reader. If you're writing a message to the gemeente (municipality) about a lost OV-chipkaart (public transport card), the grader needs to see the specific details requested. If the prompt asks for the date you lost it, you must write a date. Writing "Ik ben mijn kaart kwijt" (I lost my card) isn't enough if you omit the date. Even if that sentence is perfect, you lose points for missing the required information.
One common trap is over-explaining. You might feel the need to write five sentences when two would suffice. Each extra sentence you write is a fresh opportunity to make a mistake. If the prompt asks why you were absent from work, say: "Ik was ziek" (I was sick). Don't try to describe your symptoms in detail unless the prompt specifically asks for it. Keeping your response focused on the task requirements is the fastest way to secure your 2 or 3 points.
Word order errors and their scoring weight
Dutch word order is notoriously difficult for English speakers because of inversie (inversion). In a standard sentence, the verb comes second. If you start with a time word like vandaag (today), the verb must still stay in the second position. Many students write "Vandaag ik ga naar school" instead of "Vandaag ga ik naar school". This is a grammatical error, but it's a very common one at the A2 level.
DUO examiners treat word order slips as minor errors unless they happen in every single sentence. If you consistently put the verb in the wrong place, the grader might conclude that you haven't mastered the A2 level requirements. However, one or two instances of incorrect inversion won't cause you to fail the entire writing section. They prioritize the fact that you communicated the "where" and "when" over the exact placement of the verb. If you find yourself struggling with word order mid-exam, go back to the simplest sentence structure possible.
Spelling mistakes that change the meaning of a word
Spelling is generally the most forgiven aspect of the A2 writing test. The examiners are instructed to be lenient with phonetic spelling. If you write "auto" as "oto", they know what you mean. The danger arises when a spelling mistake creates a completely different Dutch word. This is where you risk losing points for comprehensibility.
Consider the difference between "boot" (boat) and "bot" (bone). If you're telling a story about a trip on the water and use the word "bot", the sentence becomes confusing. Another example involves verb stems. Writing "Ik werk" vs "Ik werkt" is a grammar error, but "Ik week" (I soaked/week) is a meaning error. You should always double-check that your nouns and verbs don't accidentally turn into other words that don't fit the context. If the examiner has to stop and think about what a word might be, your score will drop.
Adopt the 'safe sentence' strategy — Avoid complex structures that you haven't mastered to ensure you meet the minimum passing threshold.
Complexity is the enemy of the A2 student. You aren't awarded extra points for using the perfectum (present perfect) or plusquamperfectum (past perfect) if the presens (present tense) works just as well. Many students fail because they try to write long, connected sentences using words like omdat (because) or hoewel (although). These words change the word order and push the verb to the end of the sentence. If you aren't 100% sure where that verb goes, don't use the connector.
Instead, use the 'safe sentence' strategy by sticking to Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structures. You can communicate almost anything with this pattern. Instead of writing "Ik kan niet komen omdat ik naar de huisarts moet," write two short sentences. "Ik kan niet komen. Ik ga naar de huisarts." Both versions convey the exact same information to the examiner. The second version is much harder to mess up. It fulfills the task completion criteria and is perfectly understandable.
You should also rely on high-frequency vocabulary. Use words you know well from your practice tests or your contact with the Belastingdienst (tax office). Don't try to find a "better" or "more professional" word in your head during the exam. If you know the word praten, use it. Don't struggle to remember discussiëren if it puts your sentence structure at risk. The grader is looking for a functional level of Dutch, not an academic one.
During the final five minutes of your exam, read your answers aloud in your head. If a sentence feels too long, break it into two. Check that every question has an answer that directly addresses the prompt. If the prompt asks for a price, make sure there' is a number in your response. By keeping your Dutch simple and your task completion high, you'll pass the writing exam.
Simplicity protects your score from unnecessary deductions while ensuring your message remains clear to the examiner. The most important takeaway is that missing information fails you much faster than missing grammar.
