Integration exam 2024: Requirement, Components, Segment

The Netherlands is famous for being the most English-speaking country in mainland Europe. This is a country where it is fabled that one can survive if one never spoke any Dutch, literally for years altogether! Dutch also are known to be very accommodating and will come out with their English when a non-native starts speaking in Dutch with them! Does it mean that they do not want you to learn Dutch? No, far from it. Is there any point in learning the language if you can survive without learning it? 

Yes, it is helpful to learn Dutch and to master it, because that will not only enhance your employability in this country but will also help you to strengthen your bond with this country and its people. In some cases, it is also a requirement. 

 

 Requirement 

To obtain the Dutch nationality or secure a residence permit, one needs to take the Civic Integration examination in the Netherlands. It is called “Inburgeringsexamen”. 

 

Inburgeringsexamen- What’s it?

To show that you have sufficient knowledge of the Dutch language and of the society, you must take an exam. Residents from a non-EU country must take the Inburgeringsexam if they want to apply for a Dutch residence permit or eventually for a Dutch passport. Please note: If you’re a spouse of a Dutch citizen and you wish to get Dutch citizenship or permanent residence as well, you also must pass the integration exam. 

For people relocating to the Netherlands, most of them take the civic integration exam in the Netherlands, but it is also possible to take this examination from the applicant’s own country of residence before moving to the Netherlands. The exams are taken at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country of residence. The exam assesses basic knowledge of the Dutch language and society.  It is also possible to become a citizen by taking the NT2 State Exam. However, most people who must do civic integration in the Netherlands, do so by taking the civic integration exam. It is part of your integration process. 

 

Civic Integration exam: Which level?

The Dutch government plans to raise the language level to be achieved for applying for a stronger residence permit and naturalization from level A2 to level B1. But the increase to level B1 is not expected to happen in 2024. That is why the language level to be achieved in 2024 will remain A2 for the time being. (Source: suitcase.nl)

 

The Inburgeringsexam at A2 level

What does it mean, level A2? A2 is the level specified in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level enables you to make daily life conversations on a basic level, for example a simple conversation with your child’s teacher, small talk with your colleague, etc. You’re expected to understand the key points in a conversation, and respond in short, connected sentences. 

 

Exam components  

The civic integration exam consists of six parts. There are four language skills exams (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing). Other than these four papers, there is the paper on Knowledge of the Dutch Society (KNM) and the ONA- the Orientation of the Dutch Labor Market exam. It is about working and finding work in the Netherlands. 

The passing score for the Inburgering exam is 60%. If you do not pass, you can retake your exams