Programma I · B1
Staatsexamen NT2 practice exam, part by part
Last updated · official information checked at staatsexamensnt2.nl
Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I (B1) has four parts: Lezen, Luisteren, Schrijven and Spreken. KNM is not one of them. Practise each part on its own in the real exam format, then sit a full mock exam under the real time limit. Here every part has its first 10 practice questions and 1 full mock exam free.
I took the A2 inburgering exam myself, not the Staatsexamen NT2 at B1. When I practised, writing was the hardest part, because I had to build my own sentences and watch the grammar.
NT2 stands for Nederlands als tweede taal: Dutch as a second language. Below you see how each part works and where to practise it here. After that comes the official practice site, and what you can do for free.
What you are practising for
Programma I is the Staatsexamen NT2 at B1. It is the one to take for an MBO course, or for work at MBO level 3 or 4. You sit every part on a computer, and you register for each part separately.
| Part | Time | Questions or tasks | Dictionary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lezen (reading) | 110 minutes | 35 or 36 questions on 6 texts | Yes |
| Luisteren (listening) | 90 minutes | About 40 questions | No |
| Schrijven (writing) | 100 minutes | 12 tasks | Yes |
| Spreken (speaking) | 35 minutes | 16 tasks | No |
You pass a part with a score of 500 or higher. KNM is not part of the Staatsexamen NT2. Programma II, at B2, has different tasks and is not covered here.
NT2 practice exam, one part at a time
Lezen: reading practice
Multiple choice, dictionary allowed110 minutes · 6 texts · 35 or 36 questions
The texts are in a booklet on paper. The questions and answer options are on the computer. Every question is multiple choice with one right answer. The texts are about work, study and daily life in the Netherlands.
Practice tip: Read the question first. Some questions only need one part of the text.
Luisteren: listening practice
You hear everything once90 minutes · about 40 questions · 1 to 3 short videos
You listen to audio texts and short videos through headphones. Before each question you get 25 seconds to read the question and the options. Then the fragment starts on its own. You cannot pause it, and you hear it only once.
Practice tip: Practise without rewinding, and use the 25 seconds to see what to listen for.
Schrijven: writing practice
Typed on a computer100 minutes · 8 sentence tasks · 2 partial texts · 2 short texts
You type your answers on screen and choose the order of the tasks yourself. Most tasks are about work or study. Two trained assessors mark every exam.
Practice tip: Practise on a keyboard, not on paper, and leave time for all 12 tasks.
Spreken: speaking practice
Into a microphone, against the clock35 minutes · 8 short and 8 medium tasks
You speak into a microphone, not to a person. A short task gives you 20 seconds to speak, a medium task 30 seconds. A beep tells you when to start and when time is up. You cannot go back to an earlier task.
Practice tip: Record yourself with a timer running, so you hear whether your answer ends before the beep.
Two places to practise
The CvTE makes the exam and runs a practice site at oefenexamensnt2.nl. Single tasks from it can also appear in the real Schrijven and Spreken exams. It only works well on a computer or laptop. What it contains is covered in the official practice exams.
You cannot look at your real exam afterwards, so you never learn which questions went wrong. That is why practice with explanations matters before exam day. Here every part has 50 full mock exams in the same format, scored when you hand in. Schrijven and Spreken are marked by AI. That is an estimate, not an official result.
How to build it up
1.Watch the instruction videos
staatsexamensnt2.nl has one video per part, showing the screens and buttons. You will know them before exam day.
2.Practise single questions per part
Answer questions in the real format and read the explanation for every mistake. Start with the part you find hardest.
3.Sit a full mock under the real time limit
Only a full sitting shows whether you can stay focused to the end. This matters most in Lezen, which takes 110 minutes.
4.Register with DUO
You register for each part separately, so you can book the part you are ready for first.
For registration, the cesuur and how each part is marked, read the complete Staatsexamen NT2 guide. Not sure whether you need NT2 or the inburgeringsexamen? See which exam you need.
A free NT2 B1 practice test
Free, no credit card
- The first 10 practice questions in each part.
- 1 mock exam per part, which you can hand in up to 3 times.
- 10 practice answers a day marked by AI.
Pro gives you every practice question and all 50 mock exams per part. To try single questions first, start with the free B1 practice questions.
Is there a free Staatsexamen NT2 practice exam?
Yes. Each part here has its first 10 practice questions and 1 full mock exam for free, with no credit card. The CvTE, which makes the exam, also runs its own practice site at oefenexamensnt2.nl. It only works well on a computer or laptop.
Where can I find NT2 test examples?
NT2 test examples are in two places: the official practice site at oefenexamensnt2.nl, and the sample questions for each part on this page, linked under Lezen, Luisteren, Schrijven and Spreken. Each sample follows the format of the official exam for that part, so you see the question types before you start a full mock exam.
How long is the NT2 exam at B1?
The NT2 exam at B1 has four parts, and each part has its own time: Lezen takes 110 minutes, Luisteren 90 minutes, Schrijven 100 minutes and Spreken 35 minutes. You register for each part separately, so you can sit the parts in the order that suits you.
Is KNM part of the Staatsexamen NT2?
No. The Staatsexamen NT2 tests only Lezen, Luisteren, Schrijven and Spreken. KNM is an exam of the inburgering. Mijn Inburgering shows whether you need it.
What score do I need to pass?
You need a score of 500 or higher on each part of the Staatsexamen NT2, not a fixed number of points. In Lezen and Luisteren every right answer is worth 1 point. In Schrijven and Spreken a task can earn 1 or more points. Your points are converted to a score, and the number of points you need is not the same on every exam day.
Can I take the Staatsexamen NT2 online?
No. You cannot take the Staatsexamen NT2 online or abroad. You sit it on a computer at an exam location in the Netherlands. You can practise online, though.
Can I use a dictionary in the exam?
In Lezen and Schrijven you may use only the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek NT2, and in Luisteren and Spreken no dictionary at all. You bring it yourself, with no notes inside. Google Translate and other electronic aids are never allowed.
Can I see my mistakes after the real exam?
No. The exam is confidential, so you cannot see your own Staatsexamen NT2 answers afterwards. The CvTE suggests doing an exam on its practice site and asking an NT2 teacher to mark it. In our mock exams you see your score and which answers were right or wrong after you hand in.
How much does the Staatsexamen NT2 cost?
You pay DUO a fee for each part, and the current amount is on the exam fee page of duo.nl. You pay when you register, with iDEAL or by invoice. Mijn DUO shows whether you can sit an exam for free or pay from your loan.
inburgeringprep.com is an independent study platform, not the CvTE, DUO or the Dutch government. Registration, payment and results always go through DUO, and rules change. The facts on this page come from these official pages:
- What does the exam look like? (staatsexamensnt2.nl, Dutch)
- Preparing and practising (staatsexamensnt2.nl, Dutch)
- Practising exams (staatsexamensnt2.nl, Dutch)
- How the exam is marked (staatsexamensnt2.nl, Dutch)
- Questions from candidates (staatsexamensnt2.nl, Dutch)
- Official practice site (oefenexamensnt2.nl)
- What is the Staatsexamen NT2? (duo.nl, Dutch)
- Exam fee (duo.nl, Dutch)
Know where you stand.
Sit one part as a full mock exam, timed and in the Staatsexamen NT2 format.
In Dutch: Staatsexamen NT2 oefenen · free B1 questions · all guides