CNaVT

Overview

CNaVT (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal) is the certificate of Dutch as a foreign language. It is a project of the Dutch Language Union (Taalunie), carried out by the Centre for Language and Education at KU Leuven and Radboud University Nijmegen. It offers five exams across four CEFR levels, from A2 to C1, and each exam belongs to one domain: societal, educational or professional.

Who can apply

Professionals, students and pupils from the age of 16 can sit the exam at the level they choose. There are no other entry requirements, whatever your starting level, but you are bound by the exam regulations when you register.

Levels or stages

You pick one of five exams, called profiles.

Maatschappelijk Informeel (INFO), A2

For functioning in informal, everyday situations.

Maatschappelijk Formeel (FORM), B1

For functioning independently in more formal settings in Dutch or Flemish society.

Zakelijk Professioneel (PROF), B2

For working life, in particular the care sector or an administrative job.

Educatief Startbekwaam (STRT), B2

For starting a study at a Flemish or Dutch university college or university.

Educatief Professioneel (EDUP), C1

For working in education or a business setting that needs an advanced command of Dutch.

Exam pattern

Every exam has three parts, and you register for the whole exam, not for single parts.

Skills are tested in an integrated way, so one task can combine reading and writing. A paper dictionary may be used in Parts A and B, either explanatory or translating, but only to or from Dutch. Average times per part are published for each profile on the official site, and can shift slightly from year to year.

Marking and results

Trained assessors mark the exams using fixed criteria developed by the KU Leuven and Radboud University teams. The overall score must reach the pass mark of 50, and you do not have to pass each part separately. Sample exams with assessment models are published for every level. If you do not pass, you can sit the same exam again in a following calendar year.

Important dates

In 2026 the exams are taken digitally at exam institutions worldwide, in May and November. The November 2026 exam period runs from 11 to 20 November 2026. Registration for it runs from 21 September to 12 October 2026. Results for that round come out in the second half of January 2027. Results for the May round come out in the second half of July.

Fees

The fee depends on the country, and the official site lists exam fees per country. An exam institution may add administrative costs on top, and the total price shows once you are registered and choose an exam. You can cancel free of charge within 14 days of registering.

How to apply

1. Choose the exam that fits your level and purpose, using the descriptions and the CEFR self-assessment scales.

2. Register through the CNaVT registration tool and choose an exam institution from the list for your country.

3. If you have a disability such as dyslexia or low vision, request an adapted procedure when you register and send supporting documents to the exam committee.

After the exam

The certificate has no expiry date. It only confirms your level on the day of the exam, so some universities and employers may ask for a recent one. Holders can get partial exemption from the integration exam in the Netherlands and Flanders. Most Dutch and Flemish universities accept STRT (B2) and EDUP (C1) as proof of language level for study, but each institution decides. Healthcare roles may need FORM (B1) for nurses, PROF (B2) for many medical roles, and EDUP (C1) for some professions such as doctors.

Preparation tips

• Work through the sample exam for your own profile, including the assessment models.

• Use the CEFR self-assessment scales to avoid choosing a level that is too high or too low.

• The CNaVT does not offer language courses, so rely on the sample exams to practise.