How to use Kora
How Kora works, step by step
Kora is an online practice tool for the Dutch inburgering exams: A2 inburgering with KNM, and the B1 Staatsexamen NT2. You practice in Dutch, like the real exam, and the explanations come in your own language.
Kora is independent. It is not from DUO, CvTE or the IND.
1. Get started in about 90 seconds
Create an account with your email or with Google. Kora then asks three short questions to set up your practice.
- Sign up with email or Google. With email, you type in a 6-digit code that Kora sends you.
- Who are you? Your mother tongue, and your first name if you like. Explanations and feedback will come in your mother tongue.
- Your exam: A2 or B1, how much Dutch you know now, and, if you want, what worries you most.
- When is your exam? Pick the date, or choose “I don't know yet”. You can also say how you are learning Dutch now, and tick parts you already passed.
Then you land on Today, your home screen in Kora.
2. Today: where you start each time
Today answers one question: what should I practice now?
- One clear next step at the top. When you are new, that is a short first lesson or question. Later it is the part you left off, or one you have not practiced for a while.
- If you said speaking out loud worries you, Today offers one speaking question to try first.
- A short “Your first steps” list: create your account, answer your first question, pick your exam date.
- One tile for each exam part: Spreken, Schrijven, Luisteren, Lezen and KNM.
- Once you add your exam date: how many days are left, and a tip that fits that time.
What to do first: tap the card at the top. It takes a few minutes.
3. Practice each part of the exam
In practice, the questions are in Dutch, like the exam. The explanations, hints and feedback are in your own language.
How practice works
- The question is in Dutch. If you are stuck, you can show a translation in your language.
- A hint button, and two tries before the answer shows.
- After each answer: why the right answer is right, in your language.
- No timer and no score. Go at your own pace.
The five parts
You answer out loud, with the microphone of your phone or computer. Kora gives feedback in your language and a better version of your answer in Dutch.
You write short messages, forms and replies. Kora checks your text against what the task asks and explains what to fix.
You hear short scenes in Dutch and pick the right answer.
You read short Dutch texts, like letters, signs and ads, and answer questions about them.
Questions about life in the Netherlands: work, health, housing, school and government. A fact comes back in different words, so you learn the fact, not the sentence.
Preparing for B1? Spreken, Schrijven, Luisteren and Lezen follow the format of the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I.
4. Mock exams: like exam day
When you want to test yourself, switch from Practice to Mock.
- Completely in Dutch. No translation, no hints, no help.
- With a clock, like the real exam.
- The screens look like the real DUO exam on purpose: plain blue and white. So on exam day, nothing looks new.
- Afterwards you see your result and can go through the questions you missed.
Use Practice every day. Kora suggests Mock mostly in the last weeks before your exam.
5. More ways Kora helps
Coach Kora
A chat under every practice question. Ask why an answer is wrong, or ask for another example, in your language. Kora remembers what you practiced before, so you don't have to explain again.
Grammar and Lightning
Short grammar lessons of about 5 minutes. After each lesson, Lightning: quick sprints on one rule until it feels automatic.
Flashcards
Dutch words in decks by topic. Go from Dutch to the meaning, or from the meaning to Dutch. Cards you know come back less often.
Report card
Your results per part, where to focus and your practice history. These are practice results, not a prediction: only the real exam decides.
6. Your exam date, and after the exam
- Add your exam date when you have one, during sign-up or later in My plan. Today then shows how many days are left.
- In My plan you keep track of every part: not started, scheduled, done and waiting for the result, or passed.
- When your exam date has passed, Kora asks how it went: I passed, not sure or didn't pass, or couldn't sit it. Still waiting for the result? Kora asks again around the time the result is due.
- Parts you passed or are waiting on are no longer suggested for practice.
7. What it costs
Your first week is free and you don't need a card. After that, you choose whether to continue.
- First 7 days€0no card needed
- Then, if you choose the plan€29a month, VAT included
Nothing is charged unless you choose a plan.
- A2 inburgering: all five parts
- B1 Staatsexamen: all four parts
- Explanations in 12 languages
- Mock exams, flashcards, your report card, and a chat with Kora after each practice question
- Cancel anytime in Settings
If you don't continue, you keep Kora Basis for free: one KNM question a day, the first grammar lessons and a few flashcards a day. Your report card stays readable.
Also in Claude
Kora is also a free connector in Claude: ask about the exams, practice KNM and get Dutch grammar explained, right in your chat.
Questions people ask before they start
Do I need to know Dutch already?
No. You can start with no Dutch at all: you tell Kora your level when you sign up. The first lesson explains when to say “de” and when to say “het”, in your language. The practice questions are in Dutch, because the exam is.
Which languages does Kora explain in?
Kora explains in 12 languages: English, Arabic, Turkish, Tigrinya, Farsi, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Indonesian, Portuguese and German. Coach Kora can also write in other mother tongues, like French or Ukrainian. The Dutch you practice stays Dutch.
Can I use Kora on my phone or my laptop?
Both. Kora runs in the browser on your phone and on your computer. For Spreken you need a microphone; the one in your phone works.
Is this the real exam?
No. Kora is practice. The questions follow the format of the real exam, but they are Kora's own, not real exam questions. You book the real exam yourself, and Kora cannot tell you if you will pass.
Is Kora from DUO or the government?
No. Kora is independent and has no connection to DUO, CvTE or the IND.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Go to Settings and choose Manage or cancel. Your plan stops at the end of the month you paid for. During the free week there is nothing to cancel: no card, no charge.
Do I need an exam date to start?
No. Many people start before they have a date. You can add it later in My plan.
Try it for a week
Three short questions and you can start practicing. No card needed.