Exam by level
The A2 inburgering exam: all in one place.
The A2 exam has five parts: Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking and KNM. Each part is a separate exam of € 50.
You take A2 if you fall under the 2013 law. Under the 2021 law, A2 is for people who may switch over on the B1 route.
The five parts
Each part is a separate exam. The page for each part explains how it works.
| Part | How | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | On a computer · 65 minutesOn a computer | 65 minutes | You read texts and answer questions. |
| Listening | On a computer · 45 minutesOn a computer | 45 minutes | You listen to short films and texts. Then you answer questions. |
| Writing | With pen and paper · 40 minutesWith pen and paper | 40 minutes | You do 4 tasks, such as writing a note or filling in a form. |
| Speaking | On a computer · 35 minutesOn a computer | 35 minutes | You watch short films and answer questions out loud. |
| KNM | On a computer · 45 minutesOn a computer | 45 minutes | Questions about life in the Netherlands, by theme. |
Source: inburgeren.nl. Do you fall under the 2013 law and did your obligation start after 1 January 2015? Then ONA is part of it too.
Who takes the A2 exam?
That depends on the law that applies to you. Your letter from DUO says which one it is.
Civic Integration Act 2013
You must pass the exams at level A2 or higher. Under this law ONA is sometimes part of the exam too.
Civic Integration Act 2021, B1 route
Is B1 not working out? Then you may sometimes switch to the A2 exams. Only after at least 600 hours of lessons at an accredited language school. The gemeente checks this.
Civic Integration Act 2021, Z route
The Z route has no required exams. You may still take the A2 exams.
Naturalisation
Do you want to become Dutch? Then the IND asks for the inburgering exam at level A2 or higher.
What is A2 level?
A2 is the second of six language levels used in Europe. A1 is the lowest, C2 the highest.
At A2 you understand short, simple texts about everyday things. Think of a message from school or a leaflet from the gemeente. You can talk about yourself, your work or your neighbourhood in short sentences.
What the practice exams show
The Inburgeringscursus.nl team counted the DUO practice exams for A2. That is three practice exams per part. One striking figure per part:
41
out of 75
reading questions: the answer is almost word for word in the text
68
out of 75
listening questions ask for one detail
12
out of 12
writing tasks: the start of your text is already given
46
out of 48
speaking tasks ask for two things at once
This is DUO practice material. The real exam can be different.
All figures and how they were counted are in the A2 exam research by Inburgeringscursus.nl.
From booking to result
- 1
Booking
You book in Mijn Inburgering on inburgeren.nl. You choose the date and place yourself. Cannot log in? Then you can use a paper form.
- 2
Start in time
It can take more than 6 weeks before you can take the exam. So book in time.
- 3
Confirmation
You get a confirmation by email and by letter. One week before the exam DUO sends a letter with the time and place.
- 4
Exam day
Bring a valid ID. Without a valid ID you may not take the exam. You then have to book again.
- 5
The result
You usually get a letter within 8 weeks. Speaking and Writing currently take up to 16 weeks. DUO announced this on 31 July 2026.
How many do you need to get right?
DUO does not publish this. Not for Reading, not for Listening, not for Writing and not for Speaking. You only hear whether you passed.
Do you see a fixed number online? Then it is an estimate by a school or a website. It is not a DUO rule.
Failed? Then you only retake that part. You pay € 50 again. Do you cancel up to one week before the exam? Then you get your money back.
Practise for A2
Free, with the same format and time as the exam. You see right away what is right.
Questions about the A2 exam
How many mistakes can you make in the A2 exam?
DUO does not publish this for any part. You only hear whether you passed. A fixed number you see online is an estimate.
How long does the A2 inburgering exam take?
Each part has its own time. Reading takes 65 minutes, Listening 45, Writing 40, Speaking 35 and KNM 45 minutes. You take them separately.
What does the A2 exam cost?
Each part costs € 50. All five together cost € 250. Under the 2013 law ONA is sometimes added, for € 40. Do you have a DUO loan? Then you can pay with it.
Should I take A2 or B1?
That depends on your law and your route. Under the 2013 law it is A2 or higher. Under the 2021 law you take B1 on the B1 route. Switching to A2 is only possible there after 600 hours of lessons.
What happens if I fail?
You only retake the part you failed. You book again in Mijn Inburgering and pay € 50 again.
Can I cancel my exam?
Yes. Do you cancel up to one week before the exam? Then you get your money back. DUO does not say what happens if you cancel later.