When the result arrives
For the A2 language exams and the KNM exam, DUO sends your result by letter within 8 weeks. You can also see it in Mijn Inburgering. DUO explains this on its result page. There is no result at the exam location itself.
The A2 civic integration exam has five parts: Lezen (reading), Luisteren (listening), Schrijven (writing), Spreken (speaking) and KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society). Each part gets its own result. You can pass one part while DUO is still marking another.
So plan around the wait, and do not book your last exam part close to your deadline expecting to receive the result within the same week.
Why the wait matters for your deadline
Under the Wet inburgering 2021, most people have 3 years to pass. If you miss that inburgeringstermijn without a valid verlengingsgrond (an official reason for more time), DUO can fine you up to €1,000 and extend your obligation.
Under the older Wet inburgering 2013, the maximum fine is €1,250. DUO does not fine asylum status holders. It lists the rules on its fine page.
Waiting up to 8 weeks for each exam result is a real part of that timeline, and a failed part adds both a new booking and another wait on top of it.
Where you see your DUO exam results
Your DUO exam results reach you in two ways: the letter, and Mijn Inburgering, which you open with DigiD from inburgeren.nl. Mijn Inburgering shows which parts you have passed, which you still need, and later your diploma. Under the Wet inburgering 2021, your gemeente's personal integration and participation plan (PIP) sets your learning route, and with it the exams you take.
Many people mix up three separate steps:
- You sit one exam part.
- DUO marks it and posts the result for that part.
- After you have passed every required part, DUO issues the diploma.
Having no diploma yet does not mean that DUO lost a result, because usually one part is still missing or is still being marked by DUO.
This applies to anyone taking the A2 inburgeringsexamen with DUO. It does not apply if you are not inburgeringsplichtig, or if DUO has confirmed a vrijstelling (exemption) or ontheffing (dispensation) for you.
How each part is passed
You pass the A2 exams part by part. There is no single overall score.
- KNM: the knowledge of Dutch society exam has 40 questions. DUO's own KNM practice exam says you need at least 28 correct to pass.
- Lezen and Luisteren: both have 25 questions. DUO does not publish the cut-off on its website. It appears on your result.
- Schrijven and Spreken: these are not a count of right answers. DUO assesses how well you complete each writing and speaking task.
A failed part never cancels a passed one. A weak Schrijven result leaves your Lezen pass in place, but your diploma waits until Schrijven is passed too.
One common mix-up: DUO announced extra time on Spreken in December 2025, but that is for B1 candidates only. It does not apply to the A2 exam.
To check your level before the real thing, use DUO's free practice exams. They show the level DUO expects.
The digital inburgeringsdiploma
Since 1 January 2026, the diploma is digital by default. Once you have passed all required parts, you download it as a PDF. In Mijn Inburgering you go to 'Diploma', which takes you to Mijn diploma's. DUO describes the steps on its diploma page.
The digital diploma counts as a certified copy, and the IND accepts it for naturalisation. Use it as a file: DUO says a printout of the digital diploma is not valid. The IND citizenship pages cover what comes next.
You can still ask for one paper diploma for free. It arrives within about 8 weeks. Further paper copies cost a fee.
If you have passed only some parts, there is no diploma yet, so keep an eye on the missing part instead and book it in good time.
What if you did not pass
You retake only the exam part you failed, not the whole civic integration exam.
DUO charges a fee for each exam part, and you pay it again for every retake. The amount changes, so check the current fee on inburgeren.nl.
Then take three steps:
- Check in Mijn Inburgering which part is missing.
- Practise that part only.
- Book a new date through DUO.
If you need to move a date you already booked, you can cancel or reschedule for free up to 7 days before the exam. That window applies since 24 November 2025.
If you risk missing your deadline, ask DUO or your gemeente whether a verlengingsgrond applies to you. Extensions are not automatic.
Practise before you pay twice. InburgeringPrep lets you drill one weak section with real exam-style questions while your deadline is still running.