Inburgering practice exam A2: free PDFs in the DUO format
A complete sample paper in the DUO format, free to download as a PDF or print. Twelve here (Reading, Writing and KNM), in Dutch at A2 level, each with the answer key at the back.
The Writing test doesn't need advanced Dutch. In my experience the points go on word order, usually the verb after omdat or with a modal verb. The papers here give you the same kind of everyday prompts I practised with.
Reading practice exams
25 questions · 65 minutesShort Dutch texts such as letters, emails, notices, adverts and brochures, with multiple-choice questions about each one. On exam day you take Reading on a computer.
Writing practice exams
4 tasks · 40 minutesFour tasks: a form, a short article and two messages, such as an email or a note. At A2 the real exam is pen and paper too, so this is the closest match.
KNM practice exams
40 questions · 45 minutesKennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij: multiple-choice questions about work, health, housing, money and how things are done in the Netherlands. On exam day you take KNM on a computer, with pictures. These papers are text only.
How to use a practice exam
For useful inburgering exam practice, copy exam day as closely as a paper allows: the same time limit, no phone, no dictionary. One full timed paper tells you more about your pacing than an evening of loose practice questions.
- Pick one paper and set a timer for the real time limit. Put your phone away and don't use a dictionary, because you can't on exam day.
- In Reading and KNM, answer every question before you look at the key. A wrong answer costs nothing extra, so guess if you are unsure. In Writing, do all four tasks and cover every point the task asks for.
- Mark Reading and KNM with the answer key at the back and count your score. For Writing, check that you answered every part of each task.
- For a Reading mistake, find the line in the text that gives the answer. For a KNM mistake, note the topic. That shows you which question types and topics catch you out.
- A few days later, take the next paper and compare your score.
For the KNM exam, DUO says you need at least 28 of the 40 questions right. For Reading the pass mark is 19 of 25, but DUO shows it only on your result, not on its website. A DUO examiner marks Writing against a fixed set of criteria, so ask a teacher to read your answers if you can.
Beyond the paper
Word order practice. The patterns that trip people up most: the verb at the end after omdat (but not after maar), and with modal verbs.
Short writing tasks. Cancel an appointment, ask your boss for leave, reply to a simple email.
All five exam parts. Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking and KNM online, plus grammar and vocabulary exercises.
Instant feedback. Automatic grammar and word-order checks on your writing and speaking answers.
Frequently asked questions
Are these inburgering practice exams free?
Yes. You don't need an account to download or print them.
Is this an official DUO inburgering practice exam?
No. We wrote these papers, not DUO. They use the same number of questions and the same time limits, but on paper KNM has no pictures and nothing is read aloud. The official DUO practice exams are on inburgeren.nl, about two to four per exam part. Do those first, then use these papers for more practice.
How do I download an inburgering practice exam PDF?
Click PDF next to the exam you want. You get a ready-made A4 file with the questions and the answer key at the back. You can also print the page itself with Ctrl+P or Cmd+P.
Are the papers in English?
No, the papers are in Dutch, because the real exam is in Dutch. A translated paper would not be practice. These pages explain each section in English so you know what to expect before you start.
Why are Listening and Speaking missing?
Those two need audio and a recording device. A paper version would be a worksheet pretending to be an exam. Practise Listening and Speaking in the simulator, where the audio actually works.
Can I print these for my students?
Yes. Language schools, libraries and volunteers may print and hand these out freely. We appreciate a credit to inburgeringprep.com, but you don't have to give one.
12 practice exams on paper, plus Listening and Speaking with real audio in the simulator.
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