How to pass the inburgering exam: a study plan that works
Last checked: 29 October 2026
To pass the inburgering exam, first check in Mijn Inburgering which law and exams apply to you. Book your dates early, because waiting times can pass 6 weeks. Then study the 600 or so most common words, basic word order and the KNM themes, and practise with DUO's free practice exams under real time limits.
| Step | What to do | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check your law and exams in Mijn Inburgering | Week 1 |
| 2 | Do one DUO practice exam per part to find your weak spots | Week 1 |
| 3 | Book exam dates (can take more than 6 weeks) | Week 1 or 2 |
| 4 | Study words, grammar and KNM themes | Weeks 2 to 10 |
| 5 | Redo the practice exams under time | Last 2 weeks |
| 6 | Bring a valid ID and arrive early | Exam day |
This plan is our advice, not an official DUO plan. More Dutch is not affiliated with DUO, and our practice questions are our own, not real exam questions. For the full rules, see the inburgering exam guide.
Step 1: Know which exams you actually need
Log in to Mijn Inburgering with your DigiD. It shows your law and your exam list.
- Under the 2021 law (in force since 1 January 2022), your personal plan, the PIP, says your route and exams. On the B1 route that means the Nt2 state exam at B1 plus KNM, with MAP and PVT through your municipality (inburgeren.nl).
- Under the 2013 law, you take Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking and KNM at A2. If your duty started from 1 January 2015 you also need ONA, and from 1 October 2017 the PVT (inburgeren.nl).
Do not study for a level you are not taking. I have seen people spend months on B1 grammar for an A2 exam.
Step 2: Test yourself before you study
DUO has free practice exams: three each for A2 Writing, Speaking and Listening, four for Reading and two for KNM. For B1 and B2 there is the Nt2 practice environment (inburgeren.nl).
Do one of each in the first week, with a timer. Write down where you lost points. That list is your study plan.
Step 3: Book early
For A2 and KNM you book in Mijn Inburgering. It can take more than 6 weeks to get a date. You can move or cancel with a refund until 1 week before (inburgeren.nl). For the Nt2 state exam, registration opens about 8 weeks before the exam, and you can cancel with a refund up to 4 weeks before (duo.nl).
A date in your calendar makes you study. So book as soon as your practice scores are close.
Step 4: Study the things that give the most points
Words first
Most exam texts use everyday words: appointments, the doctor, the municipality, work, shopping. Learn the 594 most common Dutch words and review them with flashcards for 15 minutes a day. That beats one long session on Sunday.
Then word order
Dutch puts the verb in second place, and it goes to the end after words like omdat and dat. Getting this right fixes a lot of writing and speaking mistakes at once. The word order cheat sheet fits on one page. After that, check separable verbs and the past tense.
KNM by theme
KNM is a 45-minute computer exam with themes like living and work and income (inburgeren.nl). Study one theme at a time with our KNM chapter guides. Start with health and health care and government services and money, because they are full of practical rules people get wrong. Then test yourself with the KNM practice exam. There is more in how to pass the KNM exam.
Step 5: Practise the format as well as the content
People rarely fail because they know nothing. They fail because the clock or the format caught them out.
- Writing at A2 is on paper: four tasks, such as a short letter or a form, in 40 minutes (inburgeren.nl). Practise by hand. Write short notes to a neighbour, a school or an employer.
- Speaking at A2 is on a computer, with short films and questions, 35 minutes (same source). Answer out loud into your phone and listen back. It feels strange the first time.
- Listening and Reading reward reading the question first. Then look or listen for that one thing.
- At B1, every part is on a computer and you can listen to each Listening fragment only once (staatsexamensnt2.nl). See how to pass the B1 Dutch exam.
In the last two weeks, redo the DUO practice exams under real time. Compare with your first scores.
Step 6: The day itself
Come alone and bring a valid ID from DUO's list. Without it you cannot take the exam and you must register again. You will sign a form promising to keep the content confidential (inburgeren.nl). For the Nt2 state exam, be there 30 minutes early (duo.nl).
Eat something. Go to the toilet before you start. Skip a question you are stuck on and come back to it if the exam lets you.
If you do not pass a part
You only redo the part you failed. Register again the same way. Under the 2021 law, asylum status holders get the first 2 attempts at each exam free (inburgeren.nl). Look at your result, find the weak area and fix that before you book again.
If you want a little help between study sessions, sign up for one KNM question a week. The KNM drills on More Dutch are free, and Plus adds mock exams if you want them.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I study for the inburgering exam?
It depends on your starting level and your law. Do one practice exam per part first. If you are close, a few weeks of focused practice can be enough. If you are far off, plan months and take a course.
Is the inburgering exam hard?
At A2 the tasks are everyday ones: forms, short messages, simple conversations. Most people who fail run out of time or misjudge the format, which practice fixes.
Can I prepare on my own?
Under the 2013 law, yes, self-study is allowed. Under the 2021 law your municipality arranges your route and course through the PIP.
Which exam should I take first?
Many people start with KNM or Reading because they can study for those alone. Take Speaking and Writing when you have had some feedback on your Dutch.
Are there official practice exams?
Yes. DUO offers free practice exams for every A2 part and for KNM, and the Nt2 practice environment for B1 and B2.
Do I need to pass all parts on the same day?
No. Each exam is booked and passed on its own.