Reading at B1 level means you understand everyday texts, such as letters from the municipality, news reports and forms. For refugees with a residence permit, this is the level of both the civic integration exam and the State Exam NT2. The best way to practise is with real exam texts and targeted questions, so you know exactly what is expected of you. Even if you still struggle with longer texts, this is a skill you can learn.
Key takeaways from this blog
- B1 reading is about text comprehension in everyday situations, not perfect grammar
- B1 is the compulsory level for refugees with a residence permit. Other people with an integration obligation can still take the exam at A2
- The civic integration exam at B1 is the same exam as the State Exam NT2 at B1
- The reading exam consists of multiple choice questions, so you do not write anything yourself
- Practising with real exam texts is more effective than general reading
- You learn faster once you know which reading strategies the exam requires
Which level applies to you?
Not everyone takes the exam at B1. It depends on your situation.
If you are a refugee with a residence permit, B1 is the compulsory level of your civic integration exam. That exam is the same as the State Exam NT2 at B1: not a separate or lighter version, but exactly the same test.
If you are not in that group, for example as a family migrant or labour migrant, you can still integrate at A2 level. You may choose to take B1 anyway, for instance because you want to study further or because an employer asks for it, but it is not compulsory.
Not sure which level applies to you? Check with DUO. If you are taking the exam at B1, our B1 page shows you what the preparation involves.
What is tested when reading at B1 level?
The B1 level comes from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This framework describes what you need to be able to do to function at a particular language level. At B1, reading is about reading comprehension in everyday situations. You do not need to analyse literature or grasp complex technical texts. What matters is that you can identify the main idea of a text, look up specific information and recognise the tone or purpose of a text.
The State Exam NT2 has two programmes. Programma I tests at B1, Programma II at B2. Below you can see the difference at a glance.
| Exam | Level | Example texts |
| Civic integration exam, reading (refugees with a residence permit) | B1, identical to State Exam NT2 Programma I | Letters, forms, news reports, informative texts and instructions |
| Civic integration exam, reading (other groups) | A2 possible | Short, simple everyday texts |
| State Exam NT2 Programma I | B1 | Informative texts, instructions, news reports |
| State Exam NT2 Programma II | B2 | Opinion pieces, more complex technical literature |
What kinds of texts will you encounter when reading at B1?
When reading at B1 level, you always work with texts you could also come across in real life. Think of an information leaflet from the municipality, a news item on a website, a letter from your employer or instructions for a form. These texts are not difficult in terms of vocabulary, but they do require you to find the key point quickly.
Informative texts
Texts that explain how something works or provide information about a topic. Think of a leaflet about health, an explanation of a municipal scheme or information about a course. With this type of text, you are often asked to identify the main idea or look up specific information.
News reports
News texts appear regularly. They are written factually and deal with current or societal topics. You do not need to give an opinion, but you do need to understand what it is about and what the key message is.
Letters and emails
Formal letters, such as a letter from the Tax Authority or an invitation to an appointment. Here it is about understanding what the sender wants from you or what the key information is, such as a date, an amount or an action you need to take.
Forms and instructions
With forms, it is about reading questions, explanations or instructions for filling them in. You need to understand what is being asked of you. Instructions are step-by-step texts, for example about how to apply for something or how to set something up.
Advertisements and announcements
Shorter texts such as a job vacancy, an event announcement or an advertisement can also appear. These texts are compact, but sometimes contain information that is easy to overlook.
What does the reading exam look like?
The reading exam consists of multiple choice questions about the texts. You choose the correct answer from several options and write nothing yourself. You are not assessed on phrasing or grammar, only on comprehension: can you identify the main idea, can you locate information and do you understand how the text fits together?
One thing many people underestimate: the correct answer is rarely stated word for word in the text. The answer options are often phrased differently from what you have read. So you need to genuinely understand the text rather than hunt for matching words. The more you practise with this type of question, the less surprising they are on exam day.
The reading section of the State Exam NT2 Programma I lasts 110 minutes. During that time you read several texts and answer the questions that go with them.
How do you practise reading at B1 effectively?
Reading a lot helps, but it helps even more if you practise in a way that matches how the exam works. The exam requires not only that you read a text, but also that you find the right information quickly and interpret the question correctly.
Practise with real exam texts
The most effective preparation is practising with texts and questions that resemble the real exam. This way you get used to the structure of the questions and to the kind of answer options you will be given.
Learn the right reading strategies
A few strategies make reading at B1 a lot easier. Read the questions before you read the text, so you know what to look out for. For detail questions, search the text specifically instead of rereading everything. And pay attention to signal words such as “echter”, “daarom”, “maar” and “omdat”, because they show you how a text is structured.
Build up step by step
You do not need to start with long texts right away. Begin with shorter texts and work your way up to longer ones, so you build your concentration gradually.
Read ordinary Dutch as well
Alongside practice material, read real Dutch texts: news websites, leaflets, the letters that land on your doormat. Even when they are harder than the exam. That is precisely why the exam level feels easier afterwards. Do not let yourself get frustrated when you do not understand everything, because you do not have to. Take in what you take in and read on.
Check your answers and learn from mistakes
It is tempting to finish a practice text and move straight on to the next one. But you learn the most by looking back at the questions you got wrong. Why was your answer not correct? Which sentence in the text explains the right answer? That analysis makes you a better reader.
Common mistakes when practising B1 reading
Many people preparing for the reading exam make the same mistakes. If you recognise them, you can avoid them.
A common mistake is looking up every unfamiliar word in the dictionary. You cannot do that during the exam, so train yourself to work out meaning from context. A second mistake is reading the text without properly reading the question first. A third is skipping signal words, even though they reveal the structure of a text. And finally, many people only practise with easy texts. That feels good, but it does not prepare you for the harder texts that can also come up.
Frequently asked questions about practising B1 reading
What is the B1 level for reading?
B1 is a language proficiency level from the Common European Framework of Reference. At this level you understand everyday texts such as letters, news reports, forms and informative leaflets. You do not need to understand complicated language, but you do need to be able to find the main idea and important details.
Do I have to take the reading exam at B1?
If you are a refugee with a residence permit, B1 is the compulsory level. If you are not, you can still integrate at A2. Not sure? Check your situation with DUO.
How long is the reading section of the State Exam NT2?
The reading section of Programma I lasts 110 minutes. During that time you read several texts and answer the accompanying multiple choice questions.
Do I have to write my own answers in the reading exam?
No. The reading exam consists of multiple choice questions. You choose the correct answer from the options and are not assessed on your writing skills.
What texts appear on the B1 reading exam?
Informative texts, news reports, letters, forms, instructions and announcements, among others. These are texts you also encounter in daily life in the Netherlands.
Is the B1 reading exam difficult?
That varies from person to person. The texts are not designed to confuse you, but you do need to work through them quickly and accurately. That takes practice with exam-focused questions, not just general reading.
What is the difference between the civic integration exam and the State Exam NT2 for reading?
At B1 level there is no difference: the civic integration reading exam at B1 is the same exam as the State Exam NT2 Programma I. The difference lies in Programma II of the state exam, which tests at B2 level and is intended for progression to higher education.
Get started
You now know what is expected of you when reading at B1 and how to practise for it. The next step: choose a text, read the questions first, work through the text and then analyse your mistakes. At Inburgering Online you will find practice material tailored to the real exams, including reading exercises at B1 level.
