How To Prepare for the Dutch Inburgering exam

March 28, 2023
By Tobias Woudt

If you are planning to move to the Netherlands for work or study, you will need to take the Dutch Inburgering exam. This exam is a mandatory requirement for non-EU citizens who want to live and work in the Netherlands for an extended period.This test wants to determine your proficiency in the Dutch language, knowledge of Dutch society, and the ability to interact with the Dutch people. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to prepare for the Dutch Inburgering exam.

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About the Inburgering Exam
7 suggestions on how to prepare for the Inburgering Exam
Final remarks
How The Tobian Language School can help?

About The Inburgering Exam:

The Dutch Inburgering Exam is a significant milestone for anyone seeking to integrate into Dutch society.

It is a comprehensive test that assesses your knowledge of the Dutch language, society, and culture.

The exam is designed to determine whether you have the necessary skills to communicate effectively, function in Dutch society, and respect Dutch customs and values.

Passing the Dutch Inburgering Exam is a requirement for certain categories of residence permits and citizenship applications in the Netherlands.

The exam consists of six parts:

Reading: Candidates are given a text in Dutch and must answer questions about its content.
Writing: Candidates are required to write a short text in Dutch on a given topic.
Listening: Candidates listen to a recording in Dutch and answer questions about its content.
Speaking: Candidates have a conversation with an examiner in Dutch. The conversation will cover a range of topics, including personal interests, work, and studies.
Knowledge of Dutch Society: Candidates must demonstrate their knowledge of Dutch laws, customs, and traditions.
Orientation to the Dutch Labor Market: Candidates must demonstrate their understanding of the Dutch labour market, including job-seeking procedures, employee rights and obligations, and work-related vocabulary.

It is important to note that passing all six parts of the Inburgering Exam is mandatory to complete the integration process. Candidates who fail one or more parts of the exam will need to retake those parts until they pass.

More information about the rules and regulations can be found here.

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Our 7 Suggestions On How To Prepare For The Dutch Inburgering Exam:

At the Tobian Language School we offer more than just language courses. We also offer you the chance to prepare for the inburgering exam. Our experts have come together to provide you with the following guide.

1) Determine Your Level

Before starting your preparation, you need to know your current level of proficiency in the Dutch language. As previously mentioned, the Inburgering exam is divided into two parts: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking (NT2) and Knowledge of Dutch Society (KNM). The NT2 part is further divided into three levels: A1, A2, and B1. The level you need to achieve depends on your personal circumstances.

If you are planning to study in the Netherlands, you need to achieve a level of B1. If you are planning to work in the Netherlands, you need to achieve a level of A2. To determine your level, you can take a free online language proficiency test. There are several online resources available that can help you determine your current level of proficiency in Dutch.

To better understand what these levels mean and what your language proficiency level is, see our CEFR level guide.

2) Choose Your Study Materials

Once you know your level, you can choose the study materials that best suit your needs. There are several resources available online, such as books, websites, and videos, that can help you prepare for the Inburgering exam. You can also enroll in a Dutch language course or attend a language school.

When choosing your study materials, make sure they are appropriate for your level. For example, if you are at level A1, you need to start with basic vocabulary and grammar. If you are at level B1, you need to focus on more advanced grammar and vocabulary.

At the Tobian Language School we can offer you a specific dutch language course catered to you preparing for the Inburgering exam. Find out more about the course here or get in touch with us to tell us about your needs.

3) Practise Your Listening and Reading Skills

The Listening and Reading part of the Inburgering exam tests your ability to understand spoken and written Dutch. To prepare for this part of the exam, you need to practise your listening and reading skills.

You can start by watching Dutch movies, TV shows, and news broadcasts. This will help you get used to the Dutch accent and intonation. You can also listen to Dutch podcasts or audiobooks to improve your listening skills.

We recommend the following:

Een beetje Nederlands “A Little Dutch”. Learn Dutch while learning about Dutch history and Culture.
De Universiteit van Nederland ‘’The University of the Netherlands’’ More than 300 episodes about literally everything. Around 15 minutes per episode.
SBS Dutch ‘’Special Broadcasting Service’’ Independent news focused on the international community.

To improve your reading skills, you can start with simple texts, such as children’s books or news articles. As you progress, you can move on to more advanced texts, such as novels or academic articles. Reading Dutch newspapers or websites can also help you improve your reading skills.

These are great websites to start with:

telegraaf.nl The Telegraaf is the largest Dutch daily morning newspaper.
nu.nl Dutch news website

We have also published an entire collection of tools, methods and guides on how you can improve your Dutch language abilities at home and change the perception of it’s difficulty. Read more here.

4) Practise Your Writing and Speaking Skills

The Writing and Speaking part of the Inburgering exam tests your ability to write and speak in Dutch. To prepare for this part of the exam, you need to practise your writing and speaking skills.

To improve your writing skills, you can start by writing short texts, such as emails or postcards, in Dutch. You can also practise writing essays or reports on topics that are relevant to your personal circumstances. You can ask a native Dutch speaker to review your writing and provide feedback.

To improve your speaking skills, you can practise speaking Dutch with a language partner or a language exchange program. You can also enrol in a Dutch language course or attend a language school where you can practise your speaking skills with other students.

If you are already in the Netherlands, the superb taalcafes are a great…

5) Learn About Dutch Society

The Knowledge of Dutch Society (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij KNM) part of the Inburgering exam tests your knowledge of Dutch society, culture, and history. To prepare for this part of the exam, you need to learn about Dutch society.

You can start by reading about Dutch history and culture. You can also watch documentaries or TV shows that discuss Dutch society. You can also attend cultural events, such as concerts, exhibitions, or festivals, to immerse yourself in Dutch culture.

Additionally, you need to know about the Dutch legal system, government, and social security system. You can find information about these topics on the websites of the Dutch government and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).

6) Take Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is an excellent way to assess your readiness for the Inburgering exam.

The best part is that there are many online resources available where you can take practice tests for the different parts of the exam.

At the Tobian Language School we recommend the following sites where you can find these tests:

These tests will help you get used to the format and structure of the exam. It will also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses so you can focus your study efforts on areas where you need more practice.

7) Manage Your Time

Preparing for the Inburgering exam requires time and effort. It is essential to manage your time effectively to make the most of your study efforts. You can create a study schedule and set aside dedicated study time each day.

Additionally, you can use world famous and reliable study techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for a set amount of time and then take a break. This technique can help you stay focused and productive.

Our teachers at the Tobian Language Recommend this specifically for the Inburgering Exam:

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Final Remarks

Getting yourself ready for the Dutch Inburgering Exam is a significant undertaking, but with dedication and hard work, you can pass it.

Take advantage of Dutch language courses, online resources, and practice exams to build your language and cultural knowledge and hone your test-taking skills.

Remember to give yourself enough time to study and prepare adequately, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

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Tobias Woudt

Tobias is a polyglot, traveller and founder of the Tobian Language School.