· 8 min read
Dutch Language Test: NT2 and CNaVT Compared
By Language Lab editorial team
Dutch language tests explained: the Staatsexamen Nt2 at B1 or B2 in the Netherlands, at €50 a part, and CNaVT worldwide from A2 to C1. Dates, uses and prep.
There are two official Dutch language tests, and where you live decides which one fits. Inside the Netherlands, the Staatsexamen Nt2 is the state exam of Dutch as a second language: Programme I certifies level B1 and Programme II level B2, each through four separate exams in reading, writing, listening and speaking, at €50 an exam. Pass all four and you receive a diploma with no expiry date. Outside the Dutch-speaking countries, the Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal, or CNaVT, offers five exams from A2 to C1 through exam institutions worldwide, in May and November. The next CNaVT period runs from 11 to 20 November 2026. Both can count towards civic integration, and both are used for study and work.
The two tests side by side
| Staatsexamen Nt2 | CNaVT | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | State exam Dutch as a second language | Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal |
| Run by | The Dutch government, through the College voor Toetsen en Examens and DUO | The Taalunie, carried out by KU Leuven's Centre for Language and Education and Radboud University Nijmegen |
| Levels | Programme I (B1) and Programme II (B2) | Five exams at four levels, A2 to C1 |
| Who it is for | People aged 17 and older who want to become Dutch citizens, work or study in the Netherlands | Professionals, students and pupils from the age of 16 who learn Dutch as a foreign language |
| Where | Six locations in the Netherlands | Exam institutions worldwide |
| When | Dates on the official timetable | May and November |
| Fee | €50 an exam, €200 for all four | An exam fee that depends on the country, plus the institution's own fee |
| Validity | No expiry date | No period of validity |
Staatsexamen Nt2
The Staatsexamen Nt2 is the national language exam for adult speakers of other languages who are learning Dutch as a second language. You choose a programme by what you want to do next. You do not have to take Programme I before Programme II.
| Programme I | Programme II | |
|---|---|---|
| Level | B1 | B2 |
| Meant for | Working or studying at vocational (mbo) level | Studying or working at applied-university (hbo) or university level |
| Exams | Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking |
| Fee | €50 an exam | €50 an exam |
- Format. All four exams are taken on a computer, at one of six locations: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle. Each exam is held on a separate day.
- Registration. You register through DUO, from 8 weeks in advance, for all four exams at once or one at a time. DUO sends a letter with the date and time about 12 days before the exam.
- Dictionary. One dictionary is allowed, and only in Reading and Writing: the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2).
- Results. You get a certificate for each exam you pass, and the diploma when you have passed all four. Certificates and the diploma are valid without limit.
- Resits. If you fail an exam you can take it again, but you can only register after you have received the result.
Dates are published on the official timetable. Extra exams have been added in December 2026: Writing I on Tuesday 8 December, Listening I on Friday 11 December and Writing II on Monday 14 December. The timetable for January 2027 is already online.
CNaVT
CNaVT certifies Dutch as a foreign language. Since May 2026 all its exams are taken digitally. Each exam has three parts: part A, listening and/or reading, with writing; part B, reading and writing; and part C, speaking and listening in a conversation with an examiner, with a presentation added at B2 and C1.
| Exam | Level | For people who want to |
|---|---|---|
| Maatschappelijk Informeel (INFO) | A2 | Function in informal, everyday situations |
| Maatschappelijk Formeel (FORM) | B1 | Function independently in more formal settings in Dutch or Flemish society |
| Zakelijk Professioneel (PROF) | B2 | Function at work, particularly in health care or an administrative job |
| Educatief Startbekwaam (STRT) | B2 | Start a course at a Flemish or Dutch university or university of applied sciences |
| Educatief Professioneel (EDUP) | C1 | Function in education or in business with an advanced command of Dutch |
| November 2026 session | Date |
|---|---|
| Candidate registration | 21 September to 12 October 2026 |
| Exam period | 11 to 20 November 2026 |
| Results | Second half of January 2027 |
Registration for November has closed. CNaVT holds its exams in May and November, so watch for the next registration window. The price has two parts: an exam fee paid to the Taalunie, which depends on your country, and an amount charged by the exam institution.
What each certificate is used for
- Civic integration. The Nt2 diploma can be used to meet the language requirements of the Dutch civic integration exam; other, non-language requirements still apply. CNaVT holders can get an exemption from the Dutch-language part of civic integration in the Netherlands and in Flanders.
- Citizenship. The Nt2 diploma can be used for naturalisation in the Netherlands.
- Study. Most Flemish and Dutch universities recognise CNaVT's Educatief Startbekwaam (B2) and Educatief Professioneel (C1) as proof of enough Dutch to begin a course, and Nt2 Programme II is aimed at the same step. Institutions set their own requirements, so ask the one you are applying to.
- Work. In Dutch health care a CNaVT certificate counts as proof of language ability; nurses need at least B1.
How to prepare
- Use the official practice environment for the Staatsexamen Nt2, after watching the instruction videos for each skill. It only works well on a computer or laptop.
- Work through CNaVT's published sample exams, which include the listening audio and the marking models.
- Language classes are not compulsory for the Staatsexamen Nt2, though the exam board notes that a course or exam training can improve your result.
- Practise every skill separately, since each one is examined on its own.
- Test yourself instead of rereading. A 2013 review of learning research rated practice testing and distributed practice as high utility.
How long to get there
Dutch is one of the quicker languages for English speakers: the US State Department lists it in Category I, languages close to English, at 24 weeks of classes. B1 and B2 sit below that end point. Language Lab's Dutch course is built around voiced real-life scenarios with an AI tutor, useful practice for the speaking exam.
Frequently asked
What is the official Dutch language test?
In the Netherlands, the Staatsexamen Nt2, the state exam of Dutch as a second language, at B1 or B2. Worldwide, the Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (CNaVT), from A2 to C1.
How much does the Staatsexamen Nt2 cost?
€50 for each of the four exams, €200 in total. The fee is the same for Programme I and Programme II.
Can I take a Dutch exam outside the Netherlands?
Yes. CNaVT exams are taken at exam institutions worldwide, in May and November. The Staatsexamen Nt2 requires you to be physically present at one of six locations in the Netherlands.
Does the Dutch language diploma expire?
No. The Staatsexamen Nt2 diploma has no expiry date, and CNaVT certificates have no period of validity. A university or employer may still ask for a recent one.
Which level of Dutch do I need for university?
B2 is the level aimed at university study: Staatsexamen Nt2 Programme II, or CNaVT Educatief Startbekwaam. Institutions set their own requirements, so check with yours.
When is the next CNaVT exam?
The exam period runs from 11 to 20 November 2026; registration closed on 12 October 2026. Results follow in the second half of January 2027. CNaVT holds its exams in May and November.
Can I use a dictionary in the Dutch state exam?
Only in Reading and Writing, and only the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2).
Sources: College voor Toetsen en Examens, Staatsexamens Nt2: English page, Wat is het staatsexamen Nt2?, Hoe gaat het examen?, Uitslag via DUO, Herkansen, Naturalisatie, Examens oefenen and news of 29 September 2026; Taalunie, CNaVT: home page, Examen kiezen, Examen 2026, Inschrijven, Erkenning certificaat and Voorbeeldexamens; US Department of State, National Foreign Affairs Training Center, Foreign Language Training; Dunlosky et al., Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 2013. Checked on 13 October 2026. Photo: Canal houses on the Singel, Amsterdam, Dietmar Rabich / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
