Dutch Reading Exam 2025: Question Formats, Timing & Effective Techniques

Become proficient in the Dutch Lezen exam with insights into A2, B1, and B2 levels, evaluation criteria, time-saving strategies, and free practice tools.

The Lezen exam assesses your comprehension of written Dutch, essential for everyday communication, whether you're integrating into society, seeking citizenship, or applying for permanent residency.

Choosing Between A2, B1, and B2 Levels

• A2 (2013-Act): A 65-minute exam featuring basic vocabulary, brief notes, and emails.
• B1 (2021-Act): A 110-minute exam focusing on extended articles and formal correspondence. It is necessary for the B1 integration path and accepted for naturalization.
• B2 (Staatsexamen NT2 II): A 100-minute exam with academic language, essential for university education or demonstrating advanced proficiency.

Examination Layout & Question Categories

• Multiple-choice comprehension: Identify the core idea, specific details, or objective of the passage.
• Gap-fill (B1/B2): Insert the correct sentence into an empty paragraph slot.
• Information search: Rapidly find details in charts, advertisements, or FAQ sections.

Timing & Evaluation

To pass, achieve a 6/10 score—around 60% of the questions. For B1 and B2 levels, the computer adjusts the mix of easy and challenging questions as you answer, so maintain consistency.

Strategy Guide

• Initial Skimming: Quickly read titles and opening sentences to grasp the structure before tackling questions.
• Highlight Key Phrases: Names, numbers, and transition phrases often lead to answers.
• Smart Guessing: There is no penalty for incorrect answers—never leave a question unanswered.

Complimentary Practice Tools

• Discover and practice engaging reading exercises in our app (iOS)
• Discover and practice engaging reading exercises in our app (Android)
• Official NT2 sample exams

Recap / Essential Points

• Conducted on a computer—65 min (A2) or 100-110 min (B1/B2).
• A score of 6/10 is needed to pass—wrong answers do not incur penalties.
• Employ skimming and keyword highlighting to optimize time.
• Practice adaptive exercises to manage diverse text lengths.

Official Source

DUO – Reading Exam Information