What the Spreken (Speaking) section tests
The Spreken exam is a computer-based speaking test at a DUO test centre. You listen to a question, look at an image or short video, and speak into a microphone. There is no human conversation partner.
The exam is at CEFR A2 level. DUO tests whether you can answer simple questions about daily life, describe what you see, say what you prefer, and tell something about a short picture sequence.
The current exam has 16 questions in 4 sections. The question types are:
- a short video with one speaker asking you something
- one image with a two-part question
- two images where you choose one and explain why
- three images where you describe all pictures
A common pattern is: answer the first question, then answer the follow-up such as Vertel ook waarom or Vertel ook wanneer. That second part matters.
Example questions with answers
Here are 4 worked examples in the current DUO format. The Dutch prompt and answer stay in Dutch. Under each one, you get the English meaning.
Example 1 — Video question
Vraag: Waar koopt u meestal brood? Vertel ook waarom.
Goed antwoord:
Ik koop meestal brood bij de bakker. Het brood is daar vers en lekker. De bakker is ook dicht bij mijn huis.
English meaning:
I usually buy bread at the bakery. The bread there is fresh and tasty. The bakery is also close to my home.
Example 2 — One image question
Vraag: Nora wacht bij de huisarts. Wat ziet u? Vertel ook waarom Nora daar is.
Goed antwoord:
Ik zie een vrouw in de wachtkamer van de huisarts. Zij zit op een stoel en wacht. Ik denk dat Nora ziek is of een afspraak heeft met de dokter.
English meaning:
I see a woman in the GP waiting room. She is sitting on a chair and waiting. I think Nora is ill or has an appointment with the doctor.
Example 3 — Two images / preference question
Vraag: Welke jas koopt u liever? Vertel ook wanneer u die draagt.
Goed antwoord:
Ik koop liever de warme winterjas. Ik draag die jas in de winter als het koud is. Ik ga vaak met de fiets, daarom is een warme jas goed voor mij.
English meaning:
I prefer to buy the warm winter coat. I wear that coat in winter when it is cold. I often go by bike, so a warm coat is good for me.
Example 4 — Three-image sequence question
Vraag: Vertel wat Jamal doet. Vertel iets over alle plaatjes.
Goed antwoord:
Eerst loopt Jamal naar het station. Daarna stapt hij in de trein. Ten slotte zit hij in de trein en reist hij naar zijn werk.
English meaning:
First Jamal walks to the station. After that he gets on the train. Finally he is sitting in the train and travelling to his work.
Why these answers are correct
These answers work because they do the task, stay simple, and include the follow-up.
In Example 1, the answer says where the bread is bought and why. That matches both parts of the prompt.
In Example 2, the answer first describes what is visible: a woman, a waiting room, sitting and waiting. Then it adds a simple reason for why Nora is there. That is enough for A2.
In Example 3, the answer clearly chooses one coat. After that, it gives a time detail — winter — and a reason — going by bike.
In Example 4, the answer mentions all three pictures. The words eerst, daarna, and ten slotte give structure and help the listener follow the sequence.
These model answers are also short. That helps because DUO rewards task fulfilment more than difficult grammar. A clear answer with 3 short sentences is better than a long answer full of stops and errors.
Common mistakes on this section
The biggest mistake is skipping the second part of the question. If DUO asks Vertel ook waarom and you only answer the first part, you lose points on the task.
Another mistake is giving a memorised answer that does not match the image or prompt. If you talk about your family when the question is about a coat or a huisarts (GP) waiting room, the answer becomes off-topic.
Long silence is a problem. Small grammar mistakes are usually less harmful than saying nothing for too long.
Many candidates also try grammar that is too hard. A2 answers do not need long, complex sentences. Simple patterns are safer:
- Ik koop brood bij de bakker.
- Ik kies deze jas, omdat hij warm is.
- Eerst gaat hij naar het station. Daarna neemt hij de trein.
The last common problem is time management in the three-picture section. Some people spend too long on picture 1 and never reach picture 3.
How to practise further
The best way to practise is to copy the real task style. Train with short Dutch prompts, speak your answer out loud, and make sure you always include the second instruction.
Use this simple pattern for many answers:
- direct answer
- one detail you see or know
- one reason, time, or place detail
For picture sequences, use fixed structure words like eerst, daarna, and ten slotte. That makes your answer easier to build under time pressure.
You’ll improve faster if you practise with current-format questions only. Since 1 March 2025, the A2 Spreken exam no longer has multiple-choice speaking tasks. Practice that mirrors the live DUO format is the safest use of your time.
In the InburgeringPrep app, you can practise more exam-style speaking prompts, repeat the same task types, and build shorter, clearer answers. That helps you sound calm, answer both parts, and make the exam feel manageable.