You don’t need to memorise an entire dictionary to pass the civic integration exam. What you do need is knowledge of the most common Dutch words, combined with enough practice to recognise and use those words in everyday situations. For level A2 that means around 2,000 words, for B1 around 4,000. Which level you need to reach depends on your situation. In this article I explain how that works and how you can build up your vocabulary step by step.
Key takeaways from this blog
- For A2 you need knowledge of around 2,000 commonly used Dutch words; for B1 that is around 4,000.
- Which level you need to reach depends on your situation: status holders work towards B1, other integrators may graduate at A2 depending on their situation.
- The exams are administered by DUO, not by the IND.
- You don’t learn vocabulary all at once: repetition in context works better than memorising word lists.
- Authentic Dutch material such as TV, radio and podcasts trains your ear at a level above the exam, which makes the exam itself feel more manageable.
- Inburgering Online offers video explanations and practice material that directly link to the core structures of Dutch, for both A2 and B1.
How many words do you need?
Dutch has a large vocabulary, but the good news is that a small portion of those words accounts for most of what you hear and read every day. If you know the most common words, you already understand a large part of a conversation or text. The focus is therefore on frequency, not on rare or complicated terms.
For the civic integration exam or the State Exam NT2, the following guideline numbers apply:
| A2 | B1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Guideline number of words | About 2,000 | About 4,000 |
| Example themes | Family, housing, work, health, shopping | All A2 themes, plus news, education, society, official communication |
| Application context | Simple conversations and texts about familiar topics | Conversations and texts on a wide range of topics, including less familiar ones |
Status holders work towards B1. Other integrators, such as family and labour migrants and voluntary integrators, may graduate at A2 depending on their situation. I explain this further below.
Who needs which level?
Status holders: level B1
If you are a status holder, you are required to reach level B1. The municipality draws up a personal integration plan together with you and is your first point of contact. The three-year integration period starts on the date you received the letter from the IND stating that you have a residence permit and must integrate. That start date is therefore the moment you received that letter, not a later date.
Important to know: the civic integration exams at B1 are the same as the State Exams NT2 at B1. It is not a separate or lighter version. The exams are administered by DUO.
Want to start practising B1 material right away? Take a look at the B1 page of Inburgering Online.
Other integrators: A2 or B1
If you are a family migrant, labour migrant or voluntary integrator, you don’t follow a municipal programme. Depending on your situation, you may be able to graduate at A2. Whether you need to take your exam at A2 or B1 is decided in consultation with the relevant authorities. Check this carefully before you start practising, since it makes a significant difference in the number of words and a considerable step up in complexity.
The exams for this group are also administered by DUO.
Take a look at the practice material for A2 on the A2 page of Inburgering Online.
How do you learn Dutch words effectively?
Repetition in context, not rote learning
Learning a list of separate words works less well than encountering words in a sentence, a conversation or a text. Your brain remembers words better when they are linked to a situation or meaning. In practice that means: practise with listening material, read short texts at your level and use new words yourself in sentences.
At level B1 the examiner also pays attention to correct use of de and het. At A2 this is still overlooked, but at B1 it is not. The same applies to your word choice: the more varied and precise, the better.
Authentic material: why it works
Dutch-language TV, radio and podcasts are valuable for your preparation, even if it sounds difficult at first. That is exactly the point. If you are used to material that is slightly above exam level, the exam itself feels more manageable. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t understand everything, you don’t need to. The goal is for your ear to get used to the rhythm, pronunciation and word order of Dutch.
A good source is the Journaal in makkelijke taal (news in easy Dutch). That is news in understandable Dutch, useful for those preparing for B1.
Focus on the right themes
The exams are not based on random vocabulary. They are built around recognisable themes such as work, health, housing, education and society. The structure and set-up of the exam are fixed, but the exact questions differ per sitting. So you can prepare for the themes and structures, but not for the exact questions.
At Inburgering Online you work with video explanations that directly explain the core structures of Dutch. That way you not only know what a word means, but also how to use it correctly in a sentence.
Which skills are tested in the exam?
The civic integration exam and the State Exam NT2 test several skills. Vocabulary plays a role in almost all of them, but in a different way:
For listening, it is about understanding spoken Dutch. You recognise words in a spoken context, even if they are spoken quickly or appear in a sentence you didn’t fully expect.
For reading, you understand written texts. The reading exam of the State Exam NT2 Programme I lasts 110 minutes and consists of multiple-choice questions. It is about text comprehension, not about formulating sentences or writing skills.
For speaking, you use active vocabulary: you need to not only recognise words, but also use them yourself in a conversation.
For writing (B1 only), it is about correctness and variety in word choice. As mentioned earlier: at B1, incorrect use of de and het is no longer overlooked.
Frequently asked questions about learning Dutch words
How many words do I need to learn for the civic integration exam?
For level A2, knowledge of around 2,000 commonly used Dutch words is a good basis. For level B1 that is around 4,000. The emphasis is on the most common words, not on rare or specialist terms.
Which level do I need to reach: A2 or B1?
That depends on your situation. Status holders are required to reach level B1. Other integrators, such as family and labour migrants and voluntary integrators, may graduate at A2 depending on their situation. Check this carefully with the relevant authorities before you start practising.
Who administers the civic integration exam?
The exams are administered by DUO. Not by the IND. The IND plays a role in your residence permit, but not in the exam itself.
Is the civic integration exam at B1 easier than the State Exam NT2?
No. The civic integration exams at B1 are the same as the State Exams NT2 at B1. It is not a separate or lighter version.
Does it help to watch Dutch TV and listen to Dutch radio?
Yes, that is a valuable way to train your vocabulary and listening skills. Authentic material is often slightly above exam level, but that is exactly what makes it useful: your ear gets used to faster and more varied Dutch, which makes the exam feel more manageable. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t understand everything, it’s about exposure and getting used to it.
When does the integration period start?
The three-year integration period starts on the date you received the letter from the IND stating that you have a residence permit and must integrate. Keep that letter safe, since that date is your official starting point.
Do I also need to know something about the Dutch labour market?
Some candidates need to demonstrate that they know enough about the Dutch labour market, or complete a participation statement programme. This depends on your situation. Check with your municipality or the relevant authority.
Get started with practising
Knowing how many words you need is one thing. Actually learning them takes time and practice. At Inburgering Online you’ll find video explanations and practice material that directly link to the core structures of Dutch, for both A2 and B1.
Working towards B1? Go to the B1 page and start practising at the level your exam requires.
Taking your exam at A2? Take a look at the A2 practice material and build up your vocabulary using the themes that match your level.
The practice material costs 11.95 euros per month. You can start at any time.
