Staatsexamen NT2 – Programma I (B1) Prep Guide

What is Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I?

Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I is the official Dutch language exam at B1 level for adults who want to work, study, or live independently in the Netherlands. It proves that you can participate in daily and work-related situations with clear, straightforward Dutch.

This exam is ideal if you want to work in vocational fields (MBO-level jobs), follow an MBO-opleiding, or show employers that you can communicate confidently at work.

Who Should Take Programma I?

Choose Programma I if:

✔ You want to work in MBO-level professions
✔ You need Dutch for workplace communication
✔ You want to study a vocational program (MBO-2/3/4)
✔ You already speak at A2 and want to move up to a useful B1 level
✔ You want an official diploma that is accepted nationwide

This exam is ideal if you want to work in vocational fields (MBO-level jobs), follow an MBO-opleiding, or show employers that you can communicate confidently at work.

What Level Is It? (CEFR)

  • Target level: B1

  • Focus: functional Dutch, workplace communication, straightforward texts

  • Skills tested: reading, listening, writing, and speaking

You must pass all four parts to receive the diploma.

What’s on the Exam?

1. Lezen (Reading)

  • Short and medium-length texts

  • Topics: work, daily life, instructions, emails, news summaries

  • Tasks: multiple choice, select correct meaning, connect information

  • Time: 110 minutes

Go to exercises

2. Luisteren (Listening)

  • Conversations at work, instructions, short news items

  • Formal + informal tone

  • Time: ~50 minutes

3. Schrijven (Writing)

  • Write short workplace-focused texts

  • Time: 40 minutes

You will write:
• A short email (complaint, request, confirmation)
• A short text explaining a situation
• A form or message

  • 4. Spreken (Speaking)

    • Spoken tasks in the computer

    • Time: ~20–25 minutes

    Tasks include:
    • Describe a situation
    • Give advice
    • Express opinion in simple terms
    • Complete short dialogues