Published 4 October 2026
The Staatsexamen NT2 is not one exam with one pass mark. It is two separate exam programmes, built for two different reasons to need Dutch, and candidates regularly sign up for the wrong one because nobody told them there was a choice to make.
Here is what actually separates Programme I from Programme II, who each one is for, and how to decide before you register, rather than after you have paid the exam fee.
What the Staatsexamen NT2 actually is
Staatsexamen NT2 — Dutch as a Second Language — is the official Dutch government exam for adults who learned Dutch as a second language rather than growing up with it. It is developed and organised by the College voor Toetsen en Examens (CvTE), with test items written by Cito and Bureau ICE, and administered by DUO, which handles registration, scheduling and results.
The exam comes in two programmes, and the one you need depends entirely on what you are using the certificate for.
Programme I vs Programme II at a glance
| Programme I | Programme II | |
|---|---|---|
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Dutch reference level | 2F | 3F |
| Built for | MBO study, or work at MBO level 3–4 | HBO or university study, or work at that level |
| Components | Lezen, Luisteren, Spreken, Schrijven | Lezen, Luisteren, Spreken, Schrijven |
| Format | Computer-based | Computer-based |
| Cost | €50 per component, €200 for all four | €50 per component, €200 for all four |
Both programmes test the same four skills — reading, listening, speaking and writing — and cost exactly the same. The difference is the level the texts, tasks and marking are pitched at, and what institutions and employers will actually accept the result for.
Programme I: B1, for MBO study or work
Programme I certifies Dutch at B1, which the Dutch system calls 2F. It is the programme to register for if you want to start an MBO course, or if a job at MBO level 3 or 4 requires documented Dutch. This is the level most inburgering (civic integration) routes also reference, though inburgering and Staatsexamen NT2 are administered separately and you should check your own requirement letter rather than assume one satisfies the other.
At this level, the reading and listening texts are everyday and practical — workplace instructions, straightforward articles, routine correspondence. Speaking and writing are assessed on whether you can handle familiar, concrete situations clearly, not on nuance or argument.
Programme II: B2, for HBO, university or skilled work
Programme II certifies Dutch at B2, or 3F. It is what you need for HBO or university admission, or for work at that level. You do not need to pass Programme I first — there is no requirement to work through B1 before sitting B2, so if your goal is university from the start, register directly for Programme II.
The jump from Programme I is real. Texts become more abstract, vocabulary is more specialised, and reflective and argumentative writing plays a much bigger role than at B1. The requirements for grammatical accuracy are also higher. A candidate who can order their life in Dutch at B1 is not automatically ready to write an argumentative essay at B2 — that is a separate skill that needs separate practice.
How to choose the right programme
Work backwards from the requirement, not from how confident you feel in Dutch:
- Check the letter, not your own estimate. If a university, HBO, employer or municipality has given you a language requirement in writing, it will usually name the level (B1/2F or B2/3F) or the programme directly. That settles it.
- MBO study or MBO-level work points to Programme I. University, HBO, or professional work above that level points to Programme II.
- When in doubt, aim higher. A B2 certificate satisfies anything a B1 requirement asks for, but not the reverse. If you are not yet sure whether you will apply to HBO or university, preparing for Programme II keeps that door open.
- Your current level matters for how long preparation takes, not which programme to register for. The programme is set by the requirement; your starting point only changes how much work getting there will be.
Can you combine or retake components?
Yes. Each of the four components — Lezen, Luisteren, Spreken, Schrijven — is scheduled and paid for individually at €50, and if you fail one or more, DUO’s own guidance is that you can retake just those components rather than the whole exam. That makes targeted preparation worth doing: if your speaking is solid but your writing is not, you can concentrate your remaining study time and your remaining exam fees on writing alone.
What DUO’s public pages do not specify is how long an individual passed component stays valid, or whether components passed under Programme I and Programme II can be combined into one result. If that matters for your situation, ask CvTE directly (info@staatsexamensnt2.nl) rather than assume either way.
Frequently asked questions
Is Staatsexamen NT2 Programme I the same as B1 inburgering?
They are related but not identical. Programme I is certified at B1 (2F), which is the level most inburgering routes reference, but inburgering and the Staatsexamen NT2 are run by different processes with different requirement letters. Some inburgering routes accept a Staatsexamen NT2 result as evidence; others use their own test. Check your own requirement letter rather than assume.
Do I need to pass Programme I before taking Programme II?
No. The programmes are independent, and you can register directly for Programme II if B2 is what your goal requires. Many candidates do study through B1 first simply because that is how their Dutch naturally progresses, but it is not a registration requirement.
How much does the Staatsexamen NT2 cost?
Each of the four components costs €50, and a full exam of all four costs €200. Pricing is identical for Programme I and Programme II. DUO’s own site notes that some candidates are eligible for a free exam or can pay through an existing DUO loan, which you can check in your Mijn DUO account.
Can I retake just the component I failed?
Yes. DUO’s guidance is that if you fail one or more components, you retake those components rather than the entire exam, which keeps the cost and time down to exactly what you still need.
Which programme do employers usually ask for?
It depends entirely on the role. Employers hiring at MBO level typically reference Programme I (B1/2F); employers hiring for HBO- or university-level positions typically reference Programme II (B2/3F). If a specific employer hasn’t named a level, ask them directly rather than guessing, since the two certificates are not interchangeable for this purpose.
Where to start
If you already know which programme your situation requires, the next step is targeted practice in that register — workplace Dutch for Programme I, or academic reading and argumentative writing for Programme II. If you are not sure yet, tell us the requirement you are working from and we will help you confirm which one it actually points to. See our Dutch lessons, or contact us to talk through your situation before you register.