Dedicate the final five minutes of your writing exam to a systematic review to transform a borderline grade into a solid pass. This checklist provides a structured method to audit your Dutch sentences for the specific grammatical markers that DUO graders prioritize when scoring your work. Developing a habit for inburgering schrijven nakijken (reviewing the writing exam) helps you spot errors that your brain often ignores while you are focused on translating thoughts from your native language. Most students lose points not because they lack vocabulary, but because they forget to adjust their sentence structure after making a small change. Use the following steps to ensure your text meets the A2 standard.
Scan for the Verb Second rule in main clauses — Confirm that your finite verb is in the second position of every simple sentence.
In a standard Dutch hoofdzin (main clause), the persoonsvorm (finite verb) must occupy the second position. If your sentence starts with the subject, the verb follows immediately. Ik werk vandaag in Amsterdam (I am working in Amsterdam today) follows this simple pattern. However, many students struggle when they begin a sentence with a time or place. If you start with vandaag (today), the verb must still stay in the second spot.
Incorrect sentences like Vandaag ik werk in Amsterdam are common mistakes that result in immediate point deductions. You must use inversie (inversion) to keep the verb in position two: Vandaag werk ik in Amsterdam. Scan every sentence that does not start with "Ik", "Jij", or a name. If the second word in those sentences is not a verb, you have found an error.
Apply the 'Verf' check for subordinate clauses starting with 'omdat' or 'dat' — Ensure all verbs move to the end of the sentence when using a conjunction.
Subordinate clauses, or bijzinnen, follow a different logic than main clauses. When you use words like omdat (because) or dat (that), the verbs are pushed to the very end of the clause. This is often called the "Verf" rule by teachers, reminding you that the verb goes far away.
Find the conjunction
Read through your draft and circle every instance of omdat, dat, als (if), or terwijl (while). These words act as a trigger. Once you spot one, you know the grammar rules for the rest of that specific sentence have changed.
Locate the verb block at the very end
Look at the words following your conjunction. In the sentence Ik ben te laat omdat de trein niet reed (I am late because the train did not run), the verb reed must be the final word. Ensure no other words appear after the final verb block in these clauses.
Verify the subject-verb agreement
When verbs move to the end of a sentence, it is easy to forget to conjugate them correctly for the subject. If your subject is mijn dochter (my daughter), the verb at the end of the omdat clause must still end in a -t. For example: Ik ben blij omdat mijn dochter een voldoende haalt (I am happy because my daughter is getting a passing grade). Always double-check that the verb form at the end matches the person performing the action at the start of the clause.
Verify capitalization of names and sentence starters — Identify and fix common lowercase errors that signal low proficiency to the grader.
Capitalization is a simple way to demonstrate your command of the language. DUO graders see lowercase letters at the start of sentences as a sign of a rushed or low-quality response. Every sentence must begin with a capital letter. If you have used the word u (formal you) in the middle of a sentence, it does not need a capital unless it starts the sentence.
Proper nouns require your attention. Ensure that Nederland, Amsterdam, and the names of institutions like the Belastingdienst (Tax Authority) or the Gemeente (Municipality) are capitalized. Days of the week and months, such as maandag (Monday) or januari (January), are not capitalized in Dutch unless they start a sentence. Correcting these minor details shows the grader that you understand Dutch writing conventions.
Cross-reference your draft with the mandatory bullet points in the prompt — Confirm every required piece of information is physically present in your response.
The most frequent reason for a low score on the writing exam is missing a prompt requirement. Each task usually contains three or four specific bullet points. For example, a prompt might ask you to tell your huisarts (GP) when you are sick, what your symptoms are, and when you want an appointment.
Physically point to each bullet point in the instructions and then point to the corresponding sentence in your draft. If a bullet point asks "Why?", ensure you have used omdat or want (because) to provide a reason. If it asks "When?", make sure a specific time or day is mentioned. If the information isn't there, write a short, simple sentence to include it.
Reviewing your work for passing results
A final check ensures that your hard work during the exam is reflected in your final score. By focusing on verb positions, bijzin structure, capitalization, and prompt completion, you eliminate the most common sources of failure. The goal is clarity and correctness rather than complex literary prose. Ensure your verbs are in the right place and every bullet point is answered before you click the submit button. This systematic audit is the most effective way to secure your A2 diploma.
