A2 or B1: which route are you on?
Which exams you take depends on the law that applies to you and your route. A plain overview of A2, B1 and the Staatsexamen.
By the Kora team: Alex, Mariel and Abena, who did inburgering themselves. Written with help from AI. Every fact is checked against the official source. How we write our guides
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25 · Plain text version to copy (.md)
Who runs which exam
DUO runs all inburgering exams. The A2 language exams and KNM fall under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The Staatsexamen NT2 at B1 and B2 is set by CvTE (College voor Toetsen en Examens).
The B1 route (Wet inburgering 2021)
Under the Wet inburgering 2021, the B1 route has these parts:
- Lezen, Luisteren, Schrijven and Spreken at B1 or B2
- KNM
- MAP (through your municipality)
- PVT
Switching from B1 to A2
On the B1 route, some people cannot reach B1. They may switch to A2 after at least 600 hours of language lessons at a school with a Blik op Werk quality mark. Your municipality checks this.
The 2013 rules
Under the Wet inburgering 2013, people take Lezen, Schrijven, Spreken and Luisteren at A2 or higher, plus KNM. Depending on your start date, ONA and PVT can be part of it too.
You can also choose B1 or B2. Then you take the Staatsexamen NT2 instead of the A2 language parts.
Not sure? Check your own situation
Your route depends on when your inburgering started and what your municipality decided. Our exam finder walks you through the most common situations, with an official source for every answer.
Questions
Is the Staatsexamen the same as the B1 inburgering exam?
The Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I is the B1 language exam. It is set by CvTE and run by DUO. KNM is a separate DUO exam.
Can I switch from B1 to A2?
On the B1 route, after at least 600 hours of language lessons at a school with a Blik op Werk quality mark. Your municipality checks this.
Who decides my route?
It depends on the law that applies to you and on your municipality. Check your letters from the municipality and DUO.
Official sources
- DUO: exams under the Wet inburgering 2021
- DUO: exams under the Wet inburgering 2013
- Staatsexamens NT2: what the exam looks like
General information, not legal advice. Your letters from DUO and your municipality decide what applies to you.
Practice for the exam with Kora
Practice questions that change every time, with explanations in your own language. 7 days free, no card needed.