Practising speaking skills for the civic integration exam or the State Exam NT2 is different from just speaking Dutch casually. You’re preparing for a structured oral exam administered by DUO. That requires a targeted approach. Whether you’re a status holder who needs to meet level B1, or a family or labour migrant who in certain cases can still finish at A2, the requirements differ, and so does the preparation. This article explains per situation what you can do to be well prepared.
Key takeaways from this blog
- The speaking exam is administered by DUO, not by a language school or the IND.
- Status holders must demonstrate speaking skills at B1 level; for family and labour migrants, A2 is in certain cases still possible.
- The format of the speaking exam is fixed, but the content of the questions differs per sitting.
- Practising with authentic Dutch material such as radio, TV and podcasts is genuinely valuable: it pushes you beyond exam level, so the exam itself feels less demanding.
- Speaking skills require real preparation and effort. There is no shortcut.
- Inburgering Online offers exam-focused practice material with clear video explanations and direct explanations of the core structures of Dutch.
Who is this article for?
Your situation determines which rules apply to you. That distinction matters, because the requirements are not the same for everyone.
Status holders are required to integrate at 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. You take your exam at DUO.
Family and labour migrants and voluntary integrators don’t have a municipal programme. You arrange your own preparation. In certain cases, level A2 is still possible for you. You also take your exam at DUO.
What exactly does the speaking exam test?
The speaking exam tests whether you can communicate orally in Dutch. That means understanding questions and responding to their content, formulating your thoughts, and holding a conversation at the required level.
At B1, correct use of the words de and het is also assessed. A mistake with these counts at this level. At A2 this is judged less strictly.
The format and structure of the speaking exam are fixed. What you don’t know in advance is the precise content of the questions, which differs per sitting. So you can prepare well for the format and type of questions, but you can’t memorise fixed answers.
How do you practise speaking skills effectively?
Practise the structure of the exam
Because the format is fixed, it’s useful to practise with the type of questions that come up in the speaking exam. Think of questions where you describe a situation, give an opinion, or exchange information. By knowing the structure, you go into the exam with a clear picture of what to expect.
Use authentic Dutch material
Listening to everyday Dutch, such as the Journaal in makkelijke taal (news in easy Dutch), radio or podcasts, helps you hear the language as it really sounds. That’s more valuable than you might think. If you get used to naturally spoken Dutch, the exam level feels less demanding. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t understand everything: that’s exactly the point. You’re training your ear and your response speed, and that pays off on exam day.
Speak as much Dutch as possible in daily life
Having real conversations is irreplaceable. That can be with neighbours, colleagues, at the shop, or during volunteer work. You don’t need to look for perfect situations. Every conversation, even a short and clumsy one, practises the skill you need in the exam.
Work on your vocabulary at the right level
For A2 you’re well served by knowledge of the most common words in Dutch, around 2,000 words. For B1 that’s double, around 4,000 words. Those numbers sound like a lot, but the most common words are also the words you already hear and use most often. With a solid basic vocabulary you get a long way.
Use exam-focused practice material
Authentic material and everyday conversations are valuable, but they don’t replace targeted exam practice. With practice material that matches the structure of the DUO exam, you know you’re practising what is actually asked. Inburgering Online offers video explanations and direct explanations of the core structures of Dutch, so you know exactly how the language works and how to apply it in the exam.
What happens after the exam?
You take your exam at DUO. Afterwards you receive a result. That result tells you whether you passed, but not on which specific parts or themes you lost points. Keep that in mind if you’re considering a resit: you don’t know exactly where you lost points, so broad preparation remains necessary.
Want to register for an exam? You can do that via this page on inburgeren.nl.
Frequently asked questions about practising speaking skills
Who administers the speaking exam?
The speaking exam is administered by DUO. Not by a language school, not by the IND and not by the municipality.
Which level do I need for the speaking exam?
That depends on your situation. If you are a status holder, you are required to take your exam at level B1. If you are a family or labour migrant or voluntary integrator, A2 is in certain cases still possible. Your municipality or DUO can tell you which level applies to you.
Is the speaking exam for the civic integration exam different from the State Exam NT2?
No. The civic integration exams at B1 are the same as the State Exams NT2 at B1. They are not separate or lighter versions.
Can I practise the exam questions in advance?
You can practise the format and the type of questions in the speaking exam, since that structure is fixed. The precise content of the questions differs per sitting, so memorising fixed answers doesn’t work. Good preparation does give you a strong foundation.
Does listening to Dutch TV or radio really help?
Yes. Getting used to naturally spoken Dutch builds the ear and response speed that serve you well in the exam. The Journaal in makkelijke taal is a good starting point. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t understand everything: that feeling is part of the learning process and fades as you practise more.
How long do I have to integrate?
The integration period is 3 years. That period starts on the date you received the letter from the IND stating that you have a residence permit and must integrate.
Start practising today
Developing speaking skills takes time and real practice. The sooner you start, the more room you have to get used to the language. At Inburgering Online you’ll find practice material that matches the structure of the DUO exam, with clear video explanations and direct explanations of the core structures of Dutch.
