Staatsexamen NT2

Overview

The Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2) is the national Dutch language exam for adults who are learning Dutch as a second language. It is run by the College voor Toetsen en Examens (CvTE), while DUO handles registration, payment and results. The diploma shows that your Dutch is good enough to work or study in the Netherlands, and it is also used for integration (inburgering) and naturalisation.

Levels or stages

There are two programmes. You do not have to pass Programma I before taking Programma II.

Programma I (B1) is for people who want to work or study at MBO level 3 or 4. The tasks use situations from study, work and daily life at that level.

Programma II (B2) is for people who want to study or work at HBO (university of applied sciences) or university level. Reflective and argumentative texts play a large part.

Who can apply

The exam is for adults learning Dutch. You choose the programme that fits your level and goal. Registration is through DUO.

Exam pattern

Both programmes have four parts, all taken on a computer.

Reading. You get a booklet of texts and answer 36 multiple-choice questions on 6 texts on the computer.

Listening. About 40 multiple-choice tasks on five or more short recordings, heard through headphones. You get 25 seconds to read each question and its answers, and you can hear each recording only once.

Writing. You type your answers. Programma I has sentence tasks, partial writing tasks and short writing tasks. Programma II has sentence tasks, short writing tasks and medium-length writing tasks, sometimes using a table or graph.

Speaking. Short and long speaking tasks, including a two-minute talk on a topic after preparation time.

In Reading and Writing you may use only the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal. No dictionary is allowed in Listening and Speaking.

Marking and results

Reading and Listening are marked by computer. Writing and Speaking are marked by trained assessors, always two per exam. Points are converted into a score, and you need at least 500 in each part to pass.

Important dates

The exam site has an exam schedule (examenrooster) where you can see the exam dates and, for each exam, the date its result is known. Results are available from 15:00 on that date.

Fees

As listed on the official site in 2026, an exam costs 50 euros per part, so a complete exam is 200 euros. This applies to both programmes. You can pay online during registration or by invoice up to three weeks before the exam. People with an integration obligation can use their loan or a free attempt, chosen during registration.

How to apply

1. Register with DUO for the programme and parts you want.

2. Pay online or by invoice.

3. DUO sends a call-up letter about 12 days before the exam.

4. On the day, bring the call-up letter and a valid ID. Phones and other devices must be switched off and stored in a locker, and you cannot enter if you arrive late.

After the exam

DUO sends the result by email and post, and you can also see it in Mijn DUO with DigiD. If you pass all four parts you receive the diploma by post. If you pass some parts you can request a certificate for each. Diplomas and certificates do not expire.

Preparation tips

• Practise on the official practice environment before the exam.

• Choose Programma I or II by your study or work goal, not by trying the higher level first.

• Plan your time across the tasks in Reading and Writing, which are timed at 100 to 110 minutes.