# How B1 Spreken is marked

Source: https://mykora.nl/blog/b1-spreken-scoring · Sources checked 2026-10-26

The B1 speaking exam has 16 tasks. Here is how assessors mark your answers, and which mistakes limit your score.

## The exam

You speak into a microphone. There are 8 short tasks with 20 seconds to speak, and 8 medium tasks with 30 seconds after 15 seconds to prepare. A beep starts and ends each answer. You can't go back.

## First: does your answer fit?

Assessors first check whether your answer is understandable Dutch that fits the situation. If it is not, the task scores nothing. Silence scores nothing too.

## What is marked

Two trained assessors mark every answer.

- Short tasks: content, grammar, and word choice.
- Medium tasks: content, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and speed.

## What limits your score

According to the official marking rules:

- Reading the task text aloud. It limits your points for content and grammar.
- Doing a different kind of answer than asked, for example describing when the task asks you to give advice.
- Using only one of the pictures, or giving one reason and stopping early, when the task asks for more.
- Speaking very slowly, or using very vague words.

## What helps

- Start right after the beep.
- Do exactly what the task asks: advise, explain, describe, ask or choose.
- Use the whole time. A short, clear answer that uses the time well is good.
- Your content doesn't have to be true. It only has to fit the task.

## Questions

### What happens if I read the task text aloud?

It limits your points for content and grammar. Answer in your own words.

### Does my answer have to be true?

No. Assessors don't judge whether it is true, only whether it fits the task.

### How many tasks are in B1 Spreken?

16 tasks: 8 short tasks of 20 seconds and 8 medium tasks of 30 seconds.

## Sources

- [Staatsexamens NT2: what the exam looks like](https://www.staatsexamensnt2.nl/voorbereiden/hoe-ziet-het-examen-eruit)
- [Staatsexamens NT2: how the exam is marked](https://www.staatsexamensnt2.nl/examen-doen-en-uitslag/beoordeling)
- [Staatsexamens NT2: practice exams and scoring models](https://www.staatsexamensnt2.nl/voorbereiden/examens-oefenen)
- [Regeling beoordelingsnormen Staatsexamens Nt2](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0042052/)

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