Programma I and II
| Programma I | Programma II | |
|---|---|---|
| Level | B1 | B2 |
| Meant for | Work or study at mbo 3 or mbo 4 level | Higher professional education, university, or work at that level |
| Parts | Reading, listening, writing, speaking | Reading, listening, writing, speaking |
| Where | At a computer, at an exam location in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht or Zwolle | |
The four parts
| Part | Programma I (B1) | Programma II (B2) | Marked by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading (Lezen) | 110 minutes. 6 texts, 36 multiple-choice questions | 100 minutes. 6 texts, 36 multiple-choice questions | Computer |
| Listening (Luisteren) | 90 minutes. About 40 tasks; you hear each text once | 90 minutes. About 40 tasks; you hear each text once | Computer |
| Writing (Schrijven) | 100 minutes, typed. 8 sentence tasks, 2 partial writing tasks, 2 short writing tasks | 100 minutes, typed. 7 or 8 sentence tasks, 1 or 2 short and 1 or 2 medium writing tasks | Two examiners |
| Speaking (Spreken) | About 25 minutes. 8 short answers of 20 seconds, 8 longer answers of 30 seconds | About 25 minutes. 4 short and 8 medium tasks, and 1 long task of 2 minutes with preparation time | Two examiners |
In the speaking exam you wear headphones and speak into a microphone; you do not talk to a person, and you cannot go back to a task. Some speaking tasks come with pictures or a short text you have to use.
Registering and costs
- Cost: €50 per part, €200 for all four. Mijn DUO shows whether you can take the exam for free or pay with a loan.
- Registering: about eight weeks before the exam date, in Mijn DUO with your DigiD. You register for each part separately.
- Result: you pass a part with a score of at least 500. The result is published from 15:00 on the date in the exam schedule.
- On the day: all digital devices are banned, smart glasses included.
How to prepare each part
Start with one practice exam per part in the official practice environment at oefenexamensnt2.nl, on a computer or laptop. Some practice tasks for speaking and writing can appear in the real exams. Then spend most of your time on the part where you scored lowest.
Reading
At B1 you have 110 minutes for 36 questions, a little over three minutes per question. Read the question before the text, look for the part of the text that answers it, and keep an eye on the clock. Use the dictionary for words that block a question, not for every unknown word.
Listening
You hear each text only once. Read the question and the answer options before the recording starts, so you know what to listen for. Practise with recordings you have not heard before, at normal speed.
Writing
Do everything the task asks for: each missing point costs marks, however good the language. Plan two or three sentences per point, then check verb position, spelling and the verb endings. You type your answers, so practise typing in Dutch, including the letters with accents if you need them.
Speaking
Most answers are 20 or 30 seconds long, so answer the question in your first sentence and add a reason or an example. At B2, prepare a shape for the two-minute task: an opening line, two points with an example each, and a conclusion. Record yourself on a timer and listen back.
NT2 and inburgering
Under the Wet inburgering 2021, the language exams at B1 and B2 for inburgering are the Staatsexamen NT2. Inburgering also has parts NT2 does not cover, such as KNM (knowledge of Dutch society).
- NT2 parts you passed at the level of your personal plan or higher count automatically under the Wet inburgering 2021. Under the Wet inburgering 2013 you ask DUO for an exemption with a form.
- For naturalisation, an NT2 Programma I or II diploma exempts you from the civic integration exam, according to the IND.
What the StroopTaal app does for NT2
- Practice for Programma I (B1) and Programma II (B2), in reading, writing, listening and speaking, each part on its own and on a timer, with your results kept in an exam history.
- Writing feedback: an AI model checks your text against each point the task asks for (done, partly done or missing) and gives a score out of 100 with feedback on grammar, vocabulary and structure.
- Speaking feedback: your recorded answer is scored automatically for pronunciation and fluency, with a third part that rewards longer answers. The score does not judge whether your answer does what the task asks, and the app's speaking tasks usually give you more time than the exam's 20 and 30 seconds.
- Around the exam: lessons up to C1, Sentence Check for the sentences you write, and voice conversations with Taalmaatje, the app's AI conversation partner.
NT2 practice, Sentence Check and Taalmaatje come with Premium; the lesson path is free. The practice goes part by part and is not a full mock exam. Unlike the inburgering practice, the NT2 practice has no readiness score or exam-date forecast. StroopTaal is not DUO and cannot register you for an exam.
Questions and answers
Should I take Programma I or Programma II?
Programma I (B1) is meant for people who want to work or study at mbo 3 or mbo 4 level; Programma II (B2) for higher professional education, university or work at that level. If you take the exam for inburgering under the Wet inburgering 2021, the B1 route asks for B1.
How much does the Staatsexamen NT2 cost?
Each part costs €50, and a complete exam of four parts costs €200, according to DUO. Mijn DUO shows whether you can take it for free or pay with a loan.
Can I take the four parts separately?
Yes. You register for each part separately, and each part has its own result. You pass a part with a score of at least 500.
Who marks the writing and speaking exams?
Two trained examiners mark every writing and speaking exam with a marking scheme. Reading and listening are marked by computer.
Can I use a dictionary in the NT2 exam?
In reading and writing you may use the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek NT2. In speaking and listening no dictionary is allowed. All other digital devices are banned during the exam.
Does a passed NT2 exam count for inburgering?
Under the Wet inburgering 2021, NT2 parts you passed at the level of your personal plan or higher count automatically. Under the Wet inburgering 2013 you ask DUO for an exemption with a form. It covers the language parts, not KNM or the other parts of inburgering. For naturalisation, an NT2 Programma I or II diploma exempts you from the civic integration exam, according to the IND.
Does StroopTaal have NT2 practice?
Yes, for Programma I (B1) and Programma II (B2), part by part with a timer, with automatic feedback on writing and speaking. It comes with Premium. It is practice, not a full mock exam, and no app can promise that you will pass.
Sources
We checked this guide against these pages on 12 October 2026. Rules, prices and exam formats change: the official page is always the one to follow.
- Staatsexamen NT2: what the exam is
- Staatsexamen NT2: preparing
- Staatsexamen NT2: what the exam looks like
- Staatsexamen NT2: how exams are marked
- Staatsexamen NT2: results via DUO
- Staatsexamen NT2: practising exams
- Staatsexamen NT2: practice environment
- Staatsexamen NT2: all digital devices are banned (20 August 2026)
- DUO: exam fees
- DUO: registering
- DUO: where and when
- Inburgeren.nl: passed the Staatsexamen at B1 or B2
- IND: civic integration for naturalisation
StroopTaal is an independent app. It is not DUO or any other government service, and it cannot register you for an exam. What this guide says about the app comes from the app as it is on 12 October 2026; the About page and the FAQ describe it in full.
This article was drafted by AI and edited by a person before it was published.
