How many questions are on the reading exam and how long does it take?

At A2 level the reading exam is a computer test of around 25 multiple-choice questions about a number of short everyday texts, with a time limit of about 65 minutes. You need to answer roughly three-quarters of the questions correctly to pass. Formats change over time, so always confirm the current numbers with DUO.

Is the inburgering reading exam hard?

Most learners find reading one of the more passable parts of the inburgering, because you can reread the text and you are not under speaking pressure. The main risks are running out of time and trying to understand every single word. With a clear strategy and enough practice, reading is very manageable.

How can I practise for the reading exam at home?

Use the official DUO practice exams to learn the real question style, then read short everyday Dutch texts daily: advertisements, letters from the gemeente, supermarket flyers, and news in simple Dutch. Practise reading the question first and scanning the text for the answer, and time yourself so the real exam feels familiar.

What level is the inburgering reading exam?

It depends on your obligation. Under the old law the reading exam is at A2. Under the Wet inburgering 2021, learners on the B1-route take reading at B1, which uses longer and more demanding texts. Check whether you need A2 or B1 before you start preparing, because it changes how much you need to read.

How to Pass the Inburgering Reading Exam (Lezen)

Q: What does the inburgering reading exam test?

The inburgering reading exam (lezen) tests whether you can understand everyday written Dutch well enough to function in daily life. You read practical texts such as short letters, advertisements, signs, forms, and timetables, and answer multiple-choice questions about them. At A2 the focus is on finding clear, practical information, not on literary or complex texts.

One of the most passable parts of the inburgering, if you read with a strategy instead of translating every word. Here is the format, the timing, and how to prepare.

Of all the inburgering parts, reading is the one that rewards a calm, methodical head. You are not on a clock with a microphone in your face like in the speaking exam. The text sits right in front of you, you can read it twice, and the answer is somewhere on the screen. And yet plenty of people still fail the reading exam, almost always for the same two reasons: they run out of time, or they try to understand every single word. This guide shows you how to avoid both.

Below you will find the exact format of the reading exam (lezen), what it really tests, and the reading strategy our students use to pass it on the first try.

Inburgering reading exam format (lezen)

You take the reading exam on a computer at an official DUO location. At A2 level, in broad terms, you can expect:

Around 25 multiple-choice questions about a number of short texts
A time limit of about 65 minutes
You need to answer roughly three-quarters correct to pass
Everyday texts: short letters, advertisements, signs, forms, timetables, and simple instructions

The exact number of questions and the pass mark are adjusted from time to time, so treat these as a guide and confirm the current structure on the official DUO inburgeren website before your exam date.

What the reading exam actually tests

This is the mindset shift that calms people down. At A2, the reading exam is not testing whether you understand poetry, opinion columns, or complicated official jargon. It tests whether you can find practical information in everyday Dutch texts: what time an appointment is, what a letter is asking you to do, which product is on offer, or where to hand in a form.

That means you do not need to understand every word. You need to understand enough to answer the question. A single unfamiliar word rarely decides a question, so do not freeze when you hit one. Read around it and keep going.

Reading feels easier when your everyday vocabulary is solid. That is exactly what we build in our lessons. Book a free intake call and we will test your reading level and show you where the gaps are.

The reading strategy that saves time

Most lost points come from poor technique, not poor Dutch. Train these habits and reading gets noticeably easier:

Read the question first. Know what you are looking for before you dive into the text, so you can scan for it instead of reading every line.
Scan, do not study. Sweep the text for the specific detail the question asks about, such as a time, a name, a price, or an action.
Do not translate every word. Aim for the meaning of the sentence, not a perfect translation.
Watch small words. Words like "niet", "geen", "maar", "behalve", and "alleen" can flip the meaning of a whole sentence.
Never leave a blank. If you are unsure, eliminate the obviously wrong options and choose from the rest. A guess is a free chance.
Manage the clock. Around 65 minutes is generous, but do not get stuck. If one question resists, mark it, move on, and come back.

How to practise for the reading exam at home

Reading is the skill you genuinely can build a lot of on your own, as long as your practice looks like the exam. A good weekly routine:

Do the official DUO practice exams. They show the real question style and reveal the topics you still find hard.
Read short, real Dutch every day: letters from the gemeente, supermarket flyers, package instructions, and news written in simple Dutch.
Keep a small vocabulary list of the everyday words that keep coming back, especially around work, health, housing, and appointments.
Time yourself on full practice sets so exam pace feels normal.

Because the texts cover healthcare, housing, work, and government, your reading practice doubles as preparation for the KNM exam, which is also taken in Dutch. Studying the two together saves you time.

A2 or B1: which reading exam do you take?

How much you need to read depends on your required level. Under the old law the reading exam is at A2, with short, simple texts. Under the Wet inburgering 2021, learners on the B1-route take reading at B1, with longer texts and more demanding questions. Before you build your study plan, make sure you know whether you need A2 or B1, because it changes how much reading practice you need. If you want the overview of every exam part first, start with our guide to the Dutch integration exam and how to pass it faster.

Frequently asked questions about the reading exam

What does the inburgering reading exam test? Whether you can understand everyday written Dutch, such as letters, advertisements, signs, and forms, well enough to find the practical information you need. At A2 it is not about complex or literary texts.

How many questions are on the reading exam? At A2, around 25 multiple-choice questions about a number of short texts, in about 65 minutes. You need roughly three-quarters correct to pass. Confirm the current numbers with DUO.

Is the reading exam hard? For most people it is one of the more passable parts, because you can reread and there is no speaking pressure. The main risks are poor time management and trying to understand every word.

How do I practise at home? Use the official DUO practice exams, read short everyday Dutch texts daily, and train the habit of reading the question first and scanning for the answer, all under a timer.

What level is the reading exam? A2 under the old law, or B1 for learners on the B1-route under the Wet inburgering 2021. Check which level applies to you before you start.

This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Exam formats and rules can change. Always confirm the current reading exam structure and your obligations with DUO.