How to take the inburgering exam, step by step
Last checked: 29 October 2026
To take the inburgering exam, log in to Mijn Inburgering with DigiD to see which exams you need. Register for KNM and the A2 exams there, or for B1 and B2 in Mijn DUO. Pay, wait for the invitation letter, then come to the exam centre 30 minutes early with a valid ID.
| Step | A2 exams and KNM | B1 or B2 (Nt2 state exam) |
|---|---|---|
| Where you register | Mijn Inburgering | Mijn DUO |
| Fee | €50 per exam | €50 per part, €200 for all four |
| Invitation letter | 1 week before (online) | 10 days before |
| Arrive | 30 minutes early | 30 minutes early |
| Result | By letter within 8 weeks (Speaking and Writing A2: up to 16 weeks for now) | About 5 weeks |
More Dutch is not affiliated with DUO. The steps below come from DUO's own pages and exam rules, linked next to each fact.
Step 1: check which exams you need
Log in to Mijn Inburgering. It shows your law, your deadline and which exams you still need, and at which level. You need a DigiD with SMS check or the DigiD app (registration form explanation).
Under the 2021 law your municipality makes a personal plan with you first, the PIP. That plan sets your route and level. Under the 2013 law you arrange the exams yourself at A2. The inburgering exam guide explains both laws, and A2 or B1 helps if you are not sure about your level.
Step 2: know who runs which part
Not every part goes through DUO's booking system (inburgeren.nl):
- KNM, ONA and the A2 language exams: you book them in Mijn Inburgering.
- B1 or B2 language exams: these are the Nt2 state exam. You book them in Mijn DUO.
- MAP and PVT: you do these with your municipality. You register there, not with DUO.
Step 3: register and pay
In Mijn Inburgering you pick the exam, a date and one of six exam centres: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht or Zwolle (locations). You pay with iDEAL, by invoice, or from a DUO loan if you have one (exam rules, article 3). Asylum status holders under the 2021 law get their first 2 attempts at each exam for free.
Dates fill up. It can take more than 6 weeks before you can sit the exam, so book as soon as you know what you need. The full booking route, including the paper form, is in how to register for the inburgering exam. What each part costs is in inburgering exam cost.
Step 4: wait for the letter
After you register online you get a confirmation by email and letter. One week before the exam DUO sends a letter with the date, time and place (inburgeren.nl). For the Nt2 exam the letter comes 10 days before, once DUO has your payment (duo.nl).
Need a different day? You can change it until 1 week before. See how to reschedule the inburgering exam.
Step 5: the exam day
Be at the exam centre 30 minutes before the start. You show your ID first, and staff prepare the exam (exam rules). Come alone. Family and friends cannot come into the exam room.
Your coat, bag, watch and phone go in a locker. You cannot take paper, pens or books into the room. Before each exam you get about 15 minutes of explanation, then the exam itself starts:
| Exam | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| KNM | Computer | 45 minutes |
| Reading A2 | Computer | 65 minutes |
| Listening A2 | Computer | 45 minutes |
| Speaking A2 | Computer | 35 minutes |
| Writing A2 | Paper | 40 minutes |
Times from DUO's exam rules. You may go to the toilet during the exam, but you ask first and a staff member walks with you. The full checklist is in what to bring to the inburgering exam.
Step 6: the result and your diploma
KNM and A2 results come by letter within 8 weeks and also appear in Mijn Inburgering (inburgeren.nl). For now, Speaking A2 and Writing A2 can take up to 16 weeks (DUO news). Nt2 results take about 5 weeks. You get "passed" or "not passed" and a mark. You do not need every answer right to pass (exam rules).
If you fail one part, you only register again for that part. When you have passed everything, your digital diploma appears in "Mijn diploma's". More in inburgering exam results.
Before you book: practise the format
Most of the stress on the day comes from the format, not the content. Do DUO's free practice exams first (inburgeren.nl). For KNM, try a free 15-question drill on More Dutch, and read the KNM chapter guides for the themes. The study plan is in how to pass the inburgering exam.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take all the exams on one day?
No. You register for each exam separately and can spread them over different days.
Can I take the inburgering exam online from home?
No. All exams are taken at a DUO exam centre. There are six: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle.
Which exam should I take first?
There is no fixed order. Many people start with KNM or the part they feel most ready for, so they get used to the exam centre.
What if I cannot log in to Mijn Inburgering?
Use DUO's paper form "Aanmelding inburgeringsexamen". You get a letter with your date within 3 weeks after you pay.
Can I get an adjusted exam because of illness or a disability?
Yes, you can ask for one in Mijn Inburgering. A doctor from Argonaut checks your situation, and DUO decides.
Is the exam in English?
No. The exams are in Dutch. Instructions on the day are also in Dutch.