The A2 reading exam, explained

How it works

You take Lezen A2 on a computer at a DUO exam location. You read texts on the screen and answer questions about them. Every question is multiple choice: you click the right answer with the mouse.

Lezen is one of the four A2 language exams, next to Luisteren, Schrijven and Spreken. You book each part on its own in Mijn Inburgering, so you can take Lezen on a different day from the others.

• What the inburgering exam looks like on the computer →
• How to book your inburgering exam →

Time

First a DUO staff member gives 15 minutes of explanation. Then you have at most 65 minutes for the exam itself.

inburgeren.nl does not say how many questions there are. DUO's official practice exams show you the length and the pace, so do at least one with a timer.

How it is marked

A computer marks Lezen. You get a grade, and the result is pass (geslaagd) or fail (niet geslaagd).

DUO's exam rules say that not all your answers have to be right to pass. The pass mark is set by the minister, and DUO does not publish it as a number. Be careful with percentages you read online: we could not trace them to an official source.

What you may bring

Bring a valid ID and arrive 30 minutes before the exam starts. Your coat, bag, watch, phone and other things go into a locker. You may not take paper, pens or study books into the exam room. The A2 rules do not list a dictionary or any other aid that you may use.

If you want something to drink during the exam, bring a cup. The exam is secret: you may not take photos or copy the questions.

• What happens on your exam day →

Tips that help

These tips are about how you read, not about the content of the real exam.

• Read the question first. Then look for the answer in the text. You often do not need to understand every word.
• Use what you can see quickly: the title, names, dates, times and amounts.
• Read all the answer options before you click. Two options can look almost the same.
• Do not get stuck on one hard question. Keep an eye on the time.
• Practice reading on a screen, not only on paper, so it feels normal on the day.

How to practice

Start with DUO's free practice exams on inburgeren.nl. There are four for Lezen. DUO says they work best on a desktop computer. On a phone or tablet, turn it sideways.

Between practice exams, read a little Dutch every day: letters, emails, notices and ads. Short and often works better than long and once a week.

Kora has reading practice in the exam style. After every answer you see why it is right or wrong, explained in your own language. There is also a mock exam with the same time limit as the real part. It is practice, not an official result, and it cannot promise a result.

• inburgeren.nl: official practice exams ↗
• A study plan when you work full time →

Results and retakes

The result comes by letter, and you can also see it in Mijn Inburgering. DUO's exam rules say you get it within 8 weeks.

If you do not pass, you only take Lezen again, not the other parts. A new attempt is a new booking, and usually a new fee.

• Your exam results and what comes next →
• What a retake costs →

The B1 Staatsexamen is different

If you are on the B1 route, your reading exam is part of the Staatsexamen NT2. That is a different exam, set by CvTE. inburgeren.nl says Lezen at B1 takes 110 minutes.

• How to practice each part of the B1 Staatsexamen →