You'd like to apply for your permanent residence permit, but first you need to pass one of the official government exams.
Or maybe you are looking for a job and you'd like to improve your chances by adding Dutch to your Curriculum.
But you wonder what exam to take.
What exam is right for me?
Inburgeringsexam, Staatsexamen I or Staatsexamen II? That's the question. I've noticed there is quite some confusion about what exams are available or valid and for whom they are meant. Some people seem to think it's a cumulative thing and that you first need to pass one before you can try to pass the next level exam. This is not true!
How to choose the right exam?
There are three different offical government exams of Dutch that are valid when applying for your permanent residency permit:
Name of exam Level
You make a choice based on what you need the exam for, what your level of education is, what your professional ambitions or goals are and to what extent you'd like to be a full member of Dutch society.
1. Inburgeringsexamen
What is the level required?
You need a very basic level of Dutch to pass this, just level A2. If you look at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, you will see, level A2 is the level you have when you:
This exam consists of 5 parts: reading, speaking, writing, listening, and KNS, which means 'Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving', or Knowledge of Dutch Society.
Is this for you?
> you have no interest or reason to learn Dutch other than passing an exam for your permit
> you are in a big hurry to pass a test before the deadline for the residence permit expires
> your highest level of education in your home country is high school or vocational training.
Or if: > you'd like to attend an MBO education school (for example an ROC)
If you need Dutch for work, studies or social life, or you have a genuine interest in feeling part of Dutch society, the exams Staatsexamen I or II are more appropiate for you.
2. Staatsexamen NT2 I
What is the level required?
You need a more advanced level of Dutch to pass this, level B1. If you look at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, you will see, level B2 is the level you have when you:
This exam consists of 4 parts: reading, speaking, writing, and listening.
Is this for you?
> you'd like to use Dutch on a day-to-day basis and feel confident in different situations and social settings.
> your highest level of education in your home country is University, vocational school or trade school
or if: > you'd like to enroll in a HBO school
3. Staatsexamen NT2 II
What is the level required?
You need a more advanced level of Dutch to pass this, level B2. If you look at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, you will see, level B2 is the level you have when you can:
This exam consists of 4 parts: reading, speaking, writing, and listening
Is this for you?
> you'd like to use Dutch on a day-to-day basis and feel confident in different situations and social settings, speak Dutch with family and friends, use Dutch at work, feel comfortable talking to strangers, acquaintances and friends, and function independently in Dutch society.
> your highest level of education is University
> you'd like to improve your Curriculum by adding a diploma that shows your command of Dutch
or is: > you'd like to enroll in a HBO school or University
Decision Matrix
Take a look at this table to determine what exam would be best for your situation.
There are four questions to answer:
1. Why do you want to take an exam? Choose one of the three options: To obtain your residence permit, just so you have something to study for, or for better job opportunities. Write down which category your answers belongs to, either level A2, B1 or B2. Repeat for the other three questions.
2. What is your level of education?
3. What are your professional ambitions?
4. How important is becoming a full member of Dutch society to you?
Or maybe you are looking for a job and you'd like to improve your chances by adding Dutch to your Curriculum.
But you wonder what exam to take.
What exam is right for me?
Inburgeringsexam, Staatsexamen I or Staatsexamen II? That's the question. I've noticed there is quite some confusion about what exams are available or valid and for whom they are meant. Some people seem to think it's a cumulative thing and that you first need to pass one before you can try to pass the next level exam. This is not true!
How to choose the right exam?
There are three different offical government exams of Dutch that are valid when applying for your permanent residency permit:
Name of exam Level
- Inburgeringsexamen A2
- Staatsexamen NT2 I B1
- Staatsexamen NT2 II B2
You make a choice based on what you need the exam for, what your level of education is, what your professional ambitions or goals are and to what extent you'd like to be a full member of Dutch society.
1. Inburgeringsexamen
What is the level required?
You need a very basic level of Dutch to pass this, just level A2. If you look at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, you will see, level A2 is the level you have when you:
- Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
- Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
- Describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need
This exam consists of 5 parts: reading, speaking, writing, listening, and KNS, which means 'Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving', or Knowledge of Dutch Society.
Is this for you?
> you have no interest or reason to learn Dutch other than passing an exam for your permit
> you are in a big hurry to pass a test before the deadline for the residence permit expires
> your highest level of education in your home country is high school or vocational training.
Or if: > you'd like to attend an MBO education school (for example an ROC)
If you need Dutch for work, studies or social life, or you have a genuine interest in feeling part of Dutch society, the exams Staatsexamen I or II are more appropiate for you.
2. Staatsexamen NT2 I
What is the level required?
You need a more advanced level of Dutch to pass this, level B1. If you look at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, you will see, level B2 is the level you have when you:
- Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
- Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.
- Produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
- Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
This exam consists of 4 parts: reading, speaking, writing, and listening.
Is this for you?
> you'd like to use Dutch on a day-to-day basis and feel confident in different situations and social settings.
> your highest level of education in your home country is University, vocational school or trade school
or if: > you'd like to enroll in a HBO school
3. Staatsexamen NT2 II
What is the level required?
You need a more advanced level of Dutch to pass this, level B2. If you look at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, you will see, level B2 is the level you have when you can:
- Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.
- Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
- Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
This exam consists of 4 parts: reading, speaking, writing, and listening
Is this for you?
> you'd like to use Dutch on a day-to-day basis and feel confident in different situations and social settings, speak Dutch with family and friends, use Dutch at work, feel comfortable talking to strangers, acquaintances and friends, and function independently in Dutch society.
> your highest level of education is University
> you'd like to improve your Curriculum by adding a diploma that shows your command of Dutch
or is: > you'd like to enroll in a HBO school or University
Decision Matrix
Take a look at this table to determine what exam would be best for your situation.
There are four questions to answer:
1. Why do you want to take an exam? Choose one of the three options: To obtain your residence permit, just so you have something to study for, or for better job opportunities. Write down which category your answers belongs to, either level A2, B1 or B2. Repeat for the other three questions.
2. What is your level of education?
3. What are your professional ambitions?
4. How important is becoming a full member of Dutch society to you?
Now count the amount of answers that fall in category A1, B1 and B2.
2 or more answers in category A2 = Sign up for the Inburgeringsexamen
2 or more answers in category B1 = Sign up for Staatsexamen NT2 level I
2 or more answers in category B2 = Sign up for Staatsexamen NT2 level II
If you'd like any advice or more info on the different types of exams and which fits your situation better, feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Have a wonderful week and a Happy New Year!!
Love,
Joska
2 or more answers in category A2 = Sign up for the Inburgeringsexamen
2 or more answers in category B1 = Sign up for Staatsexamen NT2 level I
2 or more answers in category B2 = Sign up for Staatsexamen NT2 level II
If you'd like any advice or more info on the different types of exams and which fits your situation better, feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Have a wonderful week and a Happy New Year!!
Love,
Joska
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