Inburgering reading A2 practice: how the exam works

Inburgering reading A2 practice works best when you know the format: 65 minutes on a computer, read texts, answer questions. Start with free DUO Reading practice exams, then train scanning, details and pace in short sessions next to work and family.

You can speak Dutch in the shop. But a long email, a letter from the municipality, or a school timetable — and then quickly the right question — feels different. That is why the Reading part (Lezen) of the Dutch integration exam feels stressful.

The good news: Reading A2 is not a literature test. It is about everyday texts and finding the information that matches the question. In this article: what the exam includes according to DUO, how to approach A2 reading practice, common traps, and where to start free — at DUO and on Inbu. Prefer Dutch? See the Dutch version.

What is the A2 Reading exam?

Reading is one of the language exams in the civic integration (inburgering) path. Which exams you need depends on your situation (including which law you fall under). Check that in Mijn Inburgering — or, under the 2021 Integration Act, also in your personal plan (PIP) with the municipality.

According to the official information on inburgeren.nl, for Reading A2:

• You take the exam on a computer.
• You must read texts.
• You must also answer questions.
• The exam lasts 65 minutes.

The challenge is in the details: times, places, reasons, who does something, and whether a plan changes. A2 is everyday situations, not academic Dutch.

Tip: do not confuse A2 Reading with the Staatsexamen Nt2. According to DUO, B1 Reading lasts 110 minutes and B2 Reading 100 minutes. This article is about A2.

How many questions will you get?

The public DUO page does not list a fixed question overview. On inburgeren.nl – Practice there are four official Reading A2 practice exams. Take at least one fully (desktop) so you feel 65 minutes of focused reading. Treat practice scores as training feedback — not an official DUO scale.

How do results work?

For an A2 language exam, DUO says: result within 8 weeks by letter, also visible in Mijn Inburgering.

Which texts and questions can you expect?

According to DUO, you read texts and answer questions. In practice exams you often see:

• an email or message about an appointment
• a notice from school, work, or the municipality
• a timetable, opening hours, or instruction
• a short form, letter, or leaflet

You do not need every word. Find the right information that matches the question.

What should you look for while reading?

Train your eyes on a few “answer types”. They come back again and again:

What the question wants	Examples
Time / day	today, tomorrow, half past two, next week
Place	at the desk, room 2, stop D, GP
Reason	because, due to illness, roadworks
Action	call, bring, pick up, fill in, wait
Person	I, you (formal), he/she, the teacher, my child
Change	not … but …, unfortunately, still, instead of

If you read the question first and then search the text with purpose, you save time — and make fewer “word-match” mistakes.

Reading strategy: question first, then scan

The biggest win in reading exam practice:

1. Read the question (and answer options, if any).
2. Decide which type of info you need (time, place, reason…).
3. Scan the text — not every word.
4. Check that the answer is supported by the text.
5. Move on; do not get stuck on one hard question.

How do you prepare when you have little time?

You do not need a full-time course. You do need a steady rhythm. This plan fits busy people in the Netherlands.

Four-week plan (realistic)

Week 1 — Get to know the format

• Take one DUO Reading practice exam via inburgeren.nl – Practice (preferably desktop).
• Timer 65 minutes. Note: time, vocabulary, or wrong detail?
• Then 10–15 minutes on Inbu Reading.

Week 2 — Scanning and details

• 3× 15 minutes: question first, then targeted search.
• Focus: times, numbers, maar/toch/helaas, who does something.
• Read along in daily life: school app, pharmacy letter, municipality email.

Week 3 — Pace

• One session of about 65 minutes (or two blocks of 30–35).
• Check your level with the level test or a set on Inbu.
• Optional: Listening A2 or Writing A2.

Week 4 — Exam-day simulation

• One more DUO practice exam at a quiet moment.
• Train your weakest error type 2× 15 minutes.
• Book your slot when you know the format — not when everything is perfect.

What do you do on a busy day? (10 minutes)

1. Pick one short text (email, notice, or timetable).
2. Read the question first.
3. Search the text for the answer with purpose.
4. Check why it was right or wrong.
5. Note one signal word (maar, helaas, omdat, niet … maar …).

Short sessions add up. Five × 10 minutes a week beats one 90-minute binge.

Common mistakes on Reading A2

1. Matching a word instead of meaning — “stop B” in text and answer can still be wrong if it says: not B, but D.
2. Remembering the first time, missing the correction — useful info often comes after maar/helaas/toch.
3. Wrong person — you know what, not who (I, you, he/she, teacher, child).
4. Translating everything — hunt the answer detail; do not translate sentence by sentence.
5. Getting stuck — 65 minutes; doubt costs later questions.
6. Only word lists — also train finding info fast with texts + questions.
7. Only passive reading — exam skill is built with questions + checking.

Practical tips: how to practise smarter

1. Always start with the official DUO practice exams

DUO offers four free A2 Reading practice exams on inburgeren.nl – Practice (Reading 1 to 4). Preferably take them on a desktop. Real exams are confidential; practice versions are for practice — do not share real exam questions.

2. Then practise repeatedly (with feedback)

Official practice exams are limited. For repetition and error analysis: Reading A2 on Inbu, plus Listening, Writing, Speaking, and KNM — or via the exam hub.

3. Learn a few fixed “reading words”

Make a small list and repeat it out loud:

• time: half, kwart over, over, voor, morgen, overmorgen
• correction: maar, toch, helaas, in plaats van, niet … maar …
• reason: omdat, want, daarom, door, wegens
• action: meenemen, ophalen, terugbellen, invullen, wachten

4. Extra free resources (supplement)

DUO’s practice page also links to help sites, including lezenenschrijven.nl and hetbegintmettaal.nl, plus the public library. Useful as a supplement — not a replacement for exam-focused reading with questions.

5. Check that you are doing the right exam

Unsure between A2 and another track? Check Mijn Inburgering, or use the exam hub and level test. That way you do not waste weeks on the wrong focus.

6. On exam day

Read Exam rules and your invitation letter. Practically: arrive on time, bring ID, read the question first, and focus on the text in front of you — not the previous one.

Start practising today

You do not need Reading “perfect” before you begin. You need the format and purposeful practice.

1. First take a free DUO Reading practice exam (desktop, 65 minutes).
2. Then practise short and often on Inbu — in lunch-break blocks.
3. Optionally check your starting point with the free level test.

Ready to begin? Go to Reading practice on Inbu and try a first set. Want the full overview? Open the exam hub. Upgrade later if you like — see pricing; starting is free.