Dutch Inburgeringsexamen Speaking (spreken): Complete Guide and Tips

Being able to speak Dutch is an incredibly important skill when living in the Netherlands. Whether you are chatting with your neighbors, ordering at a café, or communicating with colleagues, speaking is how you truly connect with Dutch society and build a life here.

In this guide, we explain what you can expect from the Speaking exam (also known as spreekvaardigheid or Spreken), what level of Dutch you need, and how you can prepare effectively to pass with confidence.

What level of Dutch do you need for the Speaking exam?

Depending on your integration route, you will need to complete the exam at A2 or B1 level. But what does speaking at a B1 level actually mean in practice? At this level:

• You can have comfortable, everyday conversations.
• You can participate in simple discussions where you can voice your opinion.
• A basic vocabulary is enough to express yourself clearly without being held back.
• You can form short, grammatically correct sentences.
• You can understand more complicated sentences, even if you do not need to produce them yourself yet.


The ultimate goal is to build enough practical speaking skills to feel comfortable communicating in daily Dutch life.

What can you expect during the Speaking exam?

Unlike what you might expect, you will not speak directly to a human examiner during the test. Instead, you will complete the Speaking exam on a computer. The exam takes approximately 35 minutes, and here is how it works:

• Video clips: You will watch short video clips depicting everyday situations in the Netherlands.
• Speaking prompts: You will be asked questions about the scenarios in those clips.
• Recordings: The computer will record your spoken answers through a microphone.
• Assessment: A human examiner will review and assess your recordings later to determine your final score.

What do you need to know to pass this exam?

To pass this exam, speaking skills alone are not enough. You also need to have strong listening comprehension to fully understand the questions being asked. You will face practical, open-ended questions such as:

• What do you like to eat, and how often do you eat it?
• It rains a lot in the Netherlands. What do you think about that, and why?

How can you prepare for the Speaking exam?

The best way to improve your Dutch speaking skills is to practice regularly, build your confidence, and use the language in real-life contexts.

1. Focus on pronunciation, basic grammar, and active vocabulary 

Before you can speak fluently, you need a strong foundation. Start with small, simple conversational exercises and slowly build up your confidence to have more opinionated or formal conversations. Working with a trainer can help you get immediate feedback to correct your pronunciation and boost your fluency.

2. Have at least one conversation a day with a native speaker 

The fastest way to make new vocabulary stick is to use it in real life. Try to build your vocabulary around a specific everyday theme (like family, work, or shopping) and test it out immediately with a native Dutch colleague, friend, or neighbor. For instance, after studying a topic on family and relations, ask a friend about theirs; using the words in context makes a massive difference!

3. Practice with official exam exercises 

Taking practice exams is a great way to get used to the computer-based format and the timed pressure. Try recording yourself at home without using translation tools to simulate the real exam conditions. You can find official DUO practice exams online to see how ready you are.

Help and advice from Learn Dutch Online

Preparing for your inburgeringsexamen requires more than just memorizing vocabulary. You need to develop practical Dutch skills that you can use in everyday life.

We have found that raising your overall Dutch to the required A2 or B1 level is far more effective than just studying specific exam questions. Through our structured courses, we help you reach that target level while building genuine confidence.

Whether you need to improve your speaking, reading, listening, or writing, our native Dutch trainers are here to guide you step-by-step.

Start preparing for your Dutch exam today and improve your chances of passing the first time.

• Contact us to learn more
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