The inburgering writing exam (A2 and B1): tasks, model messages and mistakes

Pen and paper at A2, typed on a computer at B1 — and, unlike Luxembourg's language test, writing really counts. The tasks, model messages you can adapt, the formal and informal openings, and the mistakes raters see most.

Updated November 3, 2026 · 5 min read

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The Binnenhof in The Hague, seat of the Dutch government, across the Hofvijver — Photo: Michielverbeek, CC BY-SA 4.0, resized.

The Dutch integration exams test writing as a skill of its own. At A2 it is DUO's exam (the 2013 Act and the naturalisation test); at B1 and B2 it is the Staatsexamen NT2, the language exam of the 2021 Act's B1 route (inburgeren.nl). Which applies to you is set by your route.

In short: A2 — 40 minutes, pen and paper, 4 assignments, such as a short letter or a form. B1 — 100 minutes, typed, 12 tasks: 8 one-sentence tasks, 2 partial writing tasks and 2 short texts; the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek NT2 is allowed; two trained raters mark it and you pass with 500 (Staatsexamens NT2).

The A2 writing exam (DUO)

Four assignments in 40 minutes, by hand. DUO's examples: writing a short letter or filling in a form. DUO publishes three free A2 writing practice exams as PDFs (practice) — print them and write by hand, against the clock, because 40 minutes for four tasks is ten minutes each.

The B1 writing exam (Staatsexamen NT2)

Task	Programme I (B1)	Programme II (B2)	What you write
Zinstaak	8	7–8	one sentence, or the end of a sentence
Deelschrijftaak	2	—	a short message, completing a text, or filling in a form
Korte schrijftaak	2	1–2	a short text: a note, a short letter, a short description of a situation
Middellange schrijftaak	—	1–2	e.g. describe a problem and propose a solution, sometimes using a table, graph or pictures

You type on the computer, in any order you like, in 100 minutes (both programmes). Most tasks are about work or study, some about daily life. You may bring your own Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek NT2 with no notes in it; nothing electronic. A button gives you letters like ë and é, and a warning appears 15 minutes before the end. Single tasks from the official practice environment can appear in the real exam (Staatsexamens NT2).

Openings, closings: u or je?

Raters look at whether your text fits the reader. To a manager, a school, the gemeente or a company you write u; to a colleague you know, a neighbour or a friend, je. The verb follows: Kunt u…? — Kun je…? (see kunnen).

	Formal (u)	Informal (je)
Opening	Geachte heer De Vries, / Geachte mevrouw Jansen, / Beste meneer De Vries,	Beste Sanne, / Hoi Mark, / Hallo allemaal,
Asking	Kunt u mij laten weten of…? / Wilt u…?	Kun je me laten weten of…? / Wil je…?
Thanking	Alvast bedankt voor uw hulp.	Alvast bedankt!
Closing	Met vriendelijke groet,	Groetjes, / Groeten,

Model messages you can adapt

Short tasks reward a clear structure: why you write — what you need — what happens next. Three models at A2–B1 level:

Beste meneer De Vries, ik ben vandaag ziek. Ik heb koorts en ik kan niet werken. Ik ga morgen naar de huisarts. Ik bel u morgenmiddag. Met vriendelijke groet, Amina

Literally: Dear Mr De Vries, I am ill today. I have a fever and I cannot work. I'm going to the GP tomorrow. I'll call you tomorrow afternoon. Kind regards, Amina

Meaning: Calling in sick: reason (zijn, hebben), consequence (kunnen + werken), next step (gaan, bellen).

Hoi buurvrouw, zaterdag geven wij een feestje voor de verjaardag van onze zoon. Het kan een beetje druk worden. Om elf uur is het afgelopen. Sorry voor de overlast! Groetjes, Karim (nummer 12)

Literally: Hi neighbour, on Saturday we're having a party for our son's birthday. It may get a bit busy. At eleven o'clock it's over. Sorry for the noise! Love, Karim (number 12)

Meaning: A note to a neighbour — informal, short, polite. geven, worden.

Geachte mevrouw, ik wil mijn afspraak van dinsdag 14 mei verzetten, want ik moet die dag werken. Kan ik ook op donderdag komen? Ik hoor graag van u. Met vriendelijke groet, Tomás Silva

Literally: Dear Madam, I would like to move my appointment of Tuesday 14 May, because I have to work that day. Can I also come on Thursday? I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Tomás Silva

Meaning: Moving an appointment — want + reason, a question, a polite close. willen, moeten, komen, horen.

Mistakes raters see most

The verb in second place. Morgen ik ga… is wrong: after a time word the verb comes next — Morgen ga ik….
The verb at the end after *omdat*. …omdat ik ziek ben. But after want the order stays normal: …want ik ben ziek.
Separable verbs split. Ik vul het formulier in. — see invullen, opstaan, afspreken.
The perfect with the right auxiliary. Ik heb gewerkt, but ik ben verhuisd — the tables for werken and verhuizen show which.
-d or -t in the present. hij wordt, *hij vindt*, but *ik word*, *ik vind*** — check worden and vinden.
Answering a different question. If the task asks for two things, write two things — a missing point costs more than a spelling mistake.

How to prepare

Do DUO's three A2 writing practice exams by hand, or the B1 writing practice assignments in the Staatsexamen NT2 practice environment — typed, as in the exam.
Learn five model messages by heart (sick note, moving an appointment, a question to school, a complaint, a thank-you) and change the details each time.
Learn the verbs you will write with: schrijven, sturen, vragen, betalen, wachten, helpen.
Write one short text a day and check it against the mistake list above.
Know your level — our free level test shows whether A2 or B1 writing is realistic yet.

Sentences, then texts

16Word's Sentences and Dialogues tracks drill whole Dutch sentences — the building blocks of every exam message — with a game of Blocks between answers. Page 1 is free.

Keep learning

All our Dutch exam guides

Frequently asked questions

Is the inburgering writing exam on paper or on a computer?

At A2 (DUO) it is pen and paper: four assignments in 40 minutes. At B1 and B2 (Staatsexamen NT2) you type on a computer, in 100 minutes.

What kind of tasks are in the B1 writing exam?

Programme I has 8 one-sentence tasks, 2 partial writing tasks (a short message, completing a text or filling in a form) and 2 short texts (a note, a short letter or a short description). Most tasks are about work or study, some about daily life.

Can I use a dictionary in the writing exam?

In the Staatsexamen NT2 writing exam, yes: your own Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2), with no notes in it. Nothing electronic is allowed.

Who marks the writing exam?

In the Staatsexamen NT2, two trained raters mark every exam with a marking scheme. Your points are converted to a score; you pass with 500 or more.

Should I write u or je in the exam?

It depends on the reader in the task: u to a manager, a school, a company or the municipality; je to a colleague you know, a neighbour or a friend.

Where can I practise the writing exam?

DUO has three free A2 writing practice exams (PDF) on inburgeren.nl. For B1 the Staatsexamen NT2 offers practice assignments in its practice environment.