Staatsexamen NT2 B1: Format, Scores and Sample Tasks
Table of Contents10 sections
The Staatsexamen NT2 programma I is the B1 Dutch exam that most people on the inburgering (civic integration) B1 route must pass. It has four separate parts (reading, listening, writing and speaking), and a score of 500 or more passes each one. NT2 stands for Nederlands als tweede taal (Dutch as a second language).
In short: four parts, 50 euro each (200 euro for all four), no limit on attempts. A score of 500 or more passes a part.
In 2025 fewer than half of programma I candidates passed reading (44 percent) and listening (43 percent).
Who has to take the Staatsexamen NT2 B1
Under the Wet inburgering 2021 (the civic integration law; everyone newly obliged since 1 January 2022), most people follow the B1 route. Since 1 January 2022 programma I is compulsory for everyone on the B1 route and on the onderwijsroute (education route).
On the B1 route you take the four NT2 parts plus KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society). MAP (a municipal module) and the participation statement (PVT) are also part of the route, but they are not exams. The onderwijsroute is mainly for young people heading to MBO, HBO or university, who take NT2 B1 or B2 plus KNM.
One exception matters. If you are on the B1 route and have followed at least 600 hours of lessons at an approved school, your gemeente (municipality) can switch you to A2, decided per exam.
Who writes it and where you take it
The CvTE (College voor Toetsen en Examens) writes the exam, and DUO delivers it at six locations: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle. Programma I aims at MBO level 3 or 4. The official site is staatsexamensnt2.nl.
An NT2 B1 or B2 certificate also gives an exemption per skill for the inburgering exams, and it meets the current A2 language requirement for naturalisation.
The four parts of programma I
Part | Time | Tasks | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
Lezen (reading) | 110 min | About 35 questions, 6 texts | Paper texts, questions on computer, dictionary allowed |
Luisteren (listening) | 90 min | 38 or 39 questions | Audio and video, each text heard once |
Schrijven (writing) | 100 min | 12 tasks | Typed on computer, dictionary allowed |
Spreken (speaking) | About 25 min | 16 tasks | Recorded with a headset, no dictionary |
Lezen (reading)
You get about 35 multiple-choice questions on 6 texts. The texts are in a paper booklet and you answer on the computer. They are non-fiction, taken from work, education and daily life.
A dictionary is allowed: the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek NT2. Look up only words that block your understanding, because you have a little over 18 minutes per text.
Luisteren (listening)
There are 38 or 39 multiple-choice questions on audio texts and video. Each text is played once, and you get 25 seconds to read each question. Use that time to read the options, so you know what to listen for.
Schrijven (writing)
You type 12 tasks on the computer, and a dictionary is allowed.
- Sentence tasks (8): in four of them you finish a sentence that has already been started, and each one forces a single structure: a main clause, a subordinate clause, inversion or te + infinitive. In the other four you add a sentence between two given sentences, for a set purpose such as giving a reason or making a request.
- Partial writing tasks (2): you complete a short message or fill in a form.
- Short writing tasks (2): you write a full text, usually an email, that covers 5 to 7 required points. One is built on a sequence of pictures, the other on a table or an advert.
At least two raters mark your work on adequacy and comprehensibility (20 points), coherence (3), word use (4), grammatical correctness (16) and spelling (4). Adequacy weighs the most, so cover every content point first.
Spreken (speaking)
Your answers are recorded on the computer with a headset. Each prompt is shown and heard once, you cannot go back, and no dictionary is allowed. There are 8 short tasks (5 seconds to look at the picture, 20 seconds to speak) and 8 medium tasks (15 seconds to prepare, 30 seconds to speak).
Typical situations: reacting to a friend, colleague or neighbour, describing pictures or tables, giving an opinion with a reason, instructions and complaints. Raters first check that you are on task. At least two raters then score content (inhoud 32, woordkeus 8, woordenschat 24) and form (woord- en zinsvorming 32, uitspraak 24, tempo 8).
The 500 scale and the 2025 cut scores
Your raw points are converted to a scale, and 500 or more passes each part. The CvTE sets the cut after each exam, so the raw points you need can change. The 2025 public exam gives a good idea of the level.
Part (2025 public exam) | Maximum | Cut score | Share needed |
|---|---|---|---|
Lezen | 35 | 24 | About 69% |
Luisteren | 39 | 26 | About 67% |
Schrijven | 47 | 25 | About 53% |
Spreken | 128 | 75 | About 59% |
Pass rates are falling
Programma I | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
Spreken | 57% | 53% |
Luisteren | 52% | 43% |
Schrijven | 70% | 62% |
Lezen | 53% | 44% |
All four parts dropped in 2025, and the CvTE says it has no explanation yet. Listening and reading are now failed most often, so give them as much practice time as speaking.
Security is also stricter. In August 2025 a Spreken I session was invalidated for all 898 candidates after questions leaked in a WhatsApp group, and since August 2026 all digital devices are banned during the exam.
How NT2 B1 differs from the A2 inburgeringsexamen
A2 inburgeringsexamen | Staatsexamen NT2 I (B1) | |
|---|---|---|
Reading | 65 min, 25 questions | 110 min, about 35 questions |
Listening | 45 min, 25 questions | 90 min, 38 or 39, heard once |
Writing | 40 min, 4 tasks, pen and paper | 100 min, 12 tasks, typed |
Speaking | 35 min, up to 60 sec per answer | About 25 min, 20 or 30 sec per answer |
Pass mark | Not published | 500 on the scale |
Results | Within 8 weeks | In about 5 weeks |
Speaking changes the most: at B1 you have 20 or 30 seconds instead of up to 60, so answer the question straight away. Writing moves from pen and paper to typing, with many short tasks that test specific grammar.
Original sample tasks
These tasks were written for this guide in the style of programma I.
Sample 1: speaking, short task (20 seconds)
Picture: a woman carries boxes to a moving van. Vraag: "Je buurvrouw gaat zaterdag verhuizen. Ze vraagt of je kunt helpen. Je kunt niet. Wat zeg je tegen haar? Geef ook een reden."
Model answer: "Sorry, zaterdag kan ik helaas niet helpen, want dan moet ik werken. Maar zondag heb ik wel tijd. Zal ik dan komen om de dozen uit te pakken?"
Why it works: it does exactly what the task asks (say no, give a reason), so it passes the on-task check. It fits in 20 seconds, and the offer at the end adds useful words without risk.
Sample 2: speaking, medium task (30 seconds)
Vraag: "Je praat met collega's over thuiswerken. Een collega zegt: 'Iedereen moet elke dag op kantoor werken.' Wat vind jij? Geef je mening en geef een reden."
Model answer: "Ik ben het niet met mijn collega eens. Volgens mij is het goed om twee of drie dagen per week thuis te werken. Dan sta je niet in de file en heb je meer tijd. Toch vind ik het ook belangrijk om elkaar op kantoor te zien, want samen overleggen gaat dan makkelijker."
Why it works: the opinion comes first, then the reasons. Linking words (volgens mij, dan, toch, want) give coherence, and the inversion after "dan" and "toch" is correct.
Sample 3: writing, sentence task (subordinate clause)
Opdracht: "Je schrijft een e-mail aan je leidinggevende. Je kunt morgen niet werken. Maak de zin af en geef een reden." Zin: "Beste Marieke, morgen kan ik helaas niet komen werken, omdat ..."
Model answer: "... omdat mijn zoon ziek is en ik thuis bij hem moet blijven."
Why it works: after "omdat" the verbs go to the end of each clause ("is", "moet blijven"). "Omdat mijn zoon is ziek" is a typical error that costs grammar points.
Sample 4: writing, sentence task (inversion)
Opdracht: "Je schrijft een e-mail aan een collega. Je kunt vrijdag niet naar de vergadering. Begin je zin met 'Vrijdag'."
Model answer: "Vrijdag ben ik helaas de hele dag op een cursus, dus ik kan niet naar de vergadering komen."
Why it works: when the sentence starts with "Vrijdag", the verb "ben" comes before the subject. "Vrijdag ik ben" is the classic mistake.
Sample 5: reading, short text
Tekst: "Vanaf 1 maart verandert onze klantenservice. U kunt ons dan op zaterdag niet meer bellen. Op werkdagen zijn we wel langer bereikbaar, van 8.00 tot 20.00 uur. Hebt u een vraag die niet dringend is? Stuur ons dan liever een bericht via het contactformulier op onze website. U krijgt binnen twee werkdagen antwoord. Is er een storing? Dan kunt u ook in het weekend ons storingsnummer bellen."
Vraag: "Meneer Bakker heeft op zaterdag een vraag over zijn rekening. De vraag is niet dringend. Wat moet hij volgens de tekst doen?"
- A. Op zaterdag de klantenservice bellen.
- B. Een bericht sturen via het contactformulier.
- C. Het storingsnummer bellen.
Answer: B. The text sends non-urgent questions to the contact form. Calling on Saturday is no longer possible (A), and the storingsnummer (fault number) is only for outages (C).
How to prepare
- Use the official material. oefenexamensnt2.nl has single tasks, complete interactive exams and the 2023 to 2025 public exams with answer keys, rating models and cut scores, for personal study.
- Learn the right words. The exam is based on a published frequency list plus the CvTE's supplementary word list.
- Listen once. Practise without pausing or replaying.
- Time your speaking. Record yourself with a 20 or 30 second timer and check that each answer does what the prompt asks.
- Plan your payments. The fee can come from the DUO loan, or from the gemeente for asylum status holders. You can book a retake once you have your result.
Where to go next
For the routes, KNM, the A2 exams and booking, read our full inburgeringsexamen guide. Mocko is building Dutch practice, and you can ask for it from that page.
FAQ
You need 500 or more on the scale for each part. The CvTE sets the cut after each exam. On the 2025 public exam the cuts were 24 of 35 for reading, 26 of 39 for listening, 25 of 47 for writing and 75 of 128 for speaking.
