The inburgering exam (A2) explained
This page explains in short how the inburgeringsexamen works. It comes from tulli, a free practice site, and is not official information. For the official rules, always check inburgeren.nl.
What is the inburgering exam?
The inburgeringsexamen shows that you speak enough Dutch and know how Dutch society works. Who has to take it depends on your situation. On inburgeren.nl you can read whether it applies to you.
The parts of the exam
tulli has practice exams for five parts:
Note: sometimes there is more
Depending on when your inburgering duty started, you may have to do more than these five exams, such as ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt) or the participatieverklaringstraject (PVT). tulli does not cover those. Check inburgeren.nl for what applies to you.
The times above are published on inburgeren.nl. The numbers of questions are what we counted in the DUO practice exams. DUO does not publish everything about the real exam, so the real exam may differ a little.
What does A2 mean?
There is a European scale of six language levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (almost like a native speaker). A2 is the second level. At A2 you can understand and use simple sentences about everyday things: introducing yourself, work, family, shopping, your neighbourhood and making appointments.
Wet inburgering 2013 and Wet inburgering 2021
There are two inburgering laws. Under the Wet inburgering 2013 you take the language exams at level A2. Under the Wet inburgering 2021 the language level for most people is B1.
tulli is for the 2013-law exam at level A2. If your inburgering falls under the 2021 law, check inburgeren.nl for the level that applies to you.
Fees and pass marks
We do not list prices or pass marks here, because they can change and not everything is published. inburgeren.nl has the current information.
How to practise with tulli
- Start with the lessons and the flashcards.
- Then take the free practice exam of each part.
- Practise your mistakes again and set an exam date. tulli counts the days for you.
- Looking for words? See the A2 word list with 380 words.
Frequently asked questions
Is tulli free?
Yes. Without an account you can use the first 2 lessons of every theme, practice exam 1 of every part and all flashcards. With a free account all lessons and practice exams are open, with a daily limit.
Is tulli run by DUO or the government?
No. tulli is an independent project and is not affiliated with DUO or the Dutch government. All practice questions are our own.
Which exam is tulli for?
The inburgering exam at level A2 under the Wet inburgering 2013: KNM, reading, listening, speaking and writing.
Are the practice exams the same as the real exam?
No. The questions are our own. The length and layout are similar to the DUO practice exams, so you know what to expect.
Can I pass by practising only with tulli?
tulli helps you practise, but it cannot promise anything. The scores and levels in tulli are our own estimate, not an official result. Also use the official practice exams and ask your teacher for advice.
How often should I practise?
Short, regular sessions work better than one long day. In tulli you can set an exam date. The app then counts down the days and shows what to do next.
Does tulli work on my phone?
Yes. Open tulli in your browser and choose "Add to Home Screen" in the browser menu. Then tulli opens like an app and also works without internet.
Where do I find the official rules and prices?
On inburgeren.nl. It has the current rules, the costs and how to book an exam.
Practise the other parts too
- KNM practiceKnowledge of Dutch society: work, housing, health, public services.
- Reading practiceRead short texts: emails, letters, leaflets and timetables.
- Listening practiceConversations, voicemails and radio: listen and pick the right answer.
- Speaking practiceAnswer questions, describe pictures and explain a choice.
- Writing practiceWrite emails, fill in a form and write a short text.
Ready to practise?
Practice exam 1 is free, no account needed. You see your score straight away, and an explanation for every answer.