Hello and welcome back to the nitty gritty details of the Inburgering process in the Netherlands! This is part 2 so if you want the general info feel free to go back to my previous post.
As a recap, I am in the process of applying for Permanent Residency and a big part of that is the Inburgering (integration) exams. For me, I need to pass at the A2 level Dutch Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening, and Culture/Society.
Preparing for the Exam Through an Intensive Dutch Class
Probably boring to my US friends, but for my NL friends I went through the Dutch School called Tupkertaal Training and took their intensive Inburgering class link here. I liked that the class was specifically geared towards the exam. I actually bought their Dutch language book a few years back because it was “1000 words to learn dutch” and was cute in pink with flowers and a bike on the cover. Plus, I like the idea of expanding my vocab in Dutch as the first step because how are you supposed to speak, read or write if you don’t have the words to do so?
There are pros and cons of taking a class designed specifically for the Inburgering exams (like I did) vs taking a general A2 level language class to get the knowledge (then taking the exams on your own). For example, my grammar skills are definitely not super strong as the class doesn’t focus heavily on A2 grammar, but just the basic grammar necessary to pass the exams.
Honestly my main goal was to pass the exams so that is why I signed up for the class that I did! The class is structured to have 3 grammar classes and then 3 classes per exam topic. After the 3 classes in depth on each exam topic you can sign up for the corresponding exam. So my first class was October 6th and I passed my Reading exam two and a half weeks later…… crazy!
Reading
This was the first exam I took and not to brag, but I got a perfect 10 score which means I didn’t get a single question wrong! For me, this was definitely the easiest and most practical exam. It includes reading texts such as neighborhood flyers, doctor’s office policies, basic work emails, school bulletins, etc- things I have been exposed to for 5 years. It is 25 multiple choice questions and you have 45 minutes to go through everything and need 19/25 to pass. I had plenty of time and even went through everything twice, but I have always been a quick reader.
Listening
Hot take, but I think this exam might have been the most difficult! Here you listen to different audio clips from radio station shows, voicemail recordings, weather channel news, and other daily things. For me, this exam is a bit more tricky to practice. I can eavesdrop in public, but finding really really basic level things to listen to is more tricky vs finding basic reading texts to practice with for example. I can listen to kids’ radio and news, but even that can be difficult. Also, the exam goes fast. You can relisten to the audio clips, but only a bit or you will run out of time. There are 25 questions in 40 minutes and you need 19/25 to pass.
Writing
Not as scary as it sounds… I passed with a high score of 9! Here you get 4 questions with 1 form to fill in, 1 “neighborhood newspaper article” and 2 short emails or messages. You can answer most of the questions in about 3 or 4 sentences so if you practice enough you will pass. I found ChatGPT super helpful in creating prompts and then grading my responses when I specified to grade based on the A2 level.
An example prompt would be (Translated to English): You’re in a Dutch class. You have an appointment tomorrow with Amber, another student. You can’t make it and want to reschedule. Write to Amber and include:
- Write that you want to reschedule the appointment.
- Write why you want to reschedule. Think of your own reasons.
- Propose a new date.
Also, you only need a 6/10 to pass on all exams so the bar is a bit lower than we think in the US. For Dutchies, a 6/10 in university is a decent enough score. Part of the culture is “do normal” so no need to get really high marks- just be average!
Culture & Dutch Society
Probably the most interesting exam and the one that I get asked about the most! Overall, this exam is to help you understand daily living and values in the Netherlands. They redid the content of the exam about 6 months ago to be even more direct and to the point.
Again, if you study enough you can pass this exam. I got a textbook that covers all of the main themes plus my intensive class and I was over prepared. The exam covers themes of History, Education, Health, Geography, Benefits, Government, Work, etc. Somewhat tricky is the vocab/acronyms and understanding the question because everything is asked in Dutch so it is also in part a reading exam as well.
There is a broad range of questions where some are super super easy and others not even a Dutchie would know.
For example, they will ask about government organizations for filing child care benefits which you wouldn’t know if you don’t have kids. Or, how it works to start your own company which you wouldn’t know if you have a full time job in the Netherlands. You need 28/40 questions correct to pass so you can get some questions wrong and still be totally fine.
(Easy) Example Questions (Would be in Dutch though):
- When was the Holocaust? Answer: WWII (Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog)
- Can a woman marry a woman? Answer: Yes, a woman can marry a woman and a man can marry a man that is legal.
- Who helps you buy a house? Answer: A Relator (Maakalar)
- Where do you register a new business? Answer: The KVK (Chamber of Commerce)
- If you are in VMBO can you go to University directly? Answer: No, that is not possible
- How do you claim a childcare benefit? Answer: Through the SVB
Speaking
Probably the top dreaded exam for most people! There are 16 questions and you have 35 minutes to answer them by recording yourself speaking with a computer microphone. Also, you are in a room of 40 other people doing this at the same time so it is quite distracting! Some questions are in picture format, some written, and some audio clips so you listen to someone ask the question. You also don’t get paper or pencil or anything so you have to answer out loud. Thankfully, you can rerecord your answers as long as you have enough time.
Similar to other exams, there is a range of difficulty in the questions throughout the exam
Level Easy (Translated from Dutch):
- Look at the picture and describe 3 things. (You can literally say there is a man, a woman, and a child with a pink dress and that is enough to pass)
- How often do you talk to your neighbors and how do you find your neighbors? (I speak to my neighbors everyday and they are kind)
- Do you prefer juice or milk and why? (I prefer milk because it is tasty and healthy)
Level Difficult (Translated from Dutch)
- Look at the 3 objects found in a classroom and describe each of them and what they would be used for.
Ricardo works as a barber. Look at the 3 pictures of him at work and describe the 3 tasks he does at his job.
For me, if you get an audio clip and you have no idea what they are saying or there is a picture and you don’t know the word that can be tricky. For example, if asked if you prefer to work in a watch shop or a glasses shop and you don’t know the word for glasses or watches…. Yikes, that is tricky!
Net, in total the exams are doable with lots of practice! You can find many practice exams here on the official website which I recommend going through them all at least once. That is where all of my examples are from in each section. As well, for me the worst case is if you don’t pass an exam the first time you can take it again. Each exam costs 50 euros and then of course the opportunity costs of time studying, going to the exam and waiting to have to reschedule, but not the end of the world.
Thanks for reading and I hope you found that helpful as you embark on your own Inburgering journey or if you are a family or friend just curious about the content and what I have been up to for the last few months.
❤ Melanie
Smiles from Miles Away 