Inburgering Spreken Exam

What Is the Spreken Exam?

The spreken exam is the speaking component of the Dutch inburgering exam. It tests your ability to speak Dutch at A2 level — the basic level required for integration in the Netherlands.

• The exam takes approximately 35 minutes
• You speak into a microphone — there is no live conversation with an examiner
• The computer gives you a situation and you respond by speaking
• Your responses are recorded and later assessed by DUO examiners

Exam Format and Task Types

The spreken exam is computer-based. You wear headphones and speak into a microphone. The computer presents a situation — you hear it or read it on screen — and then you speak your response. You are given preparation time before each task.

The task types vary in complexity:

How the Spreken Exam Is Scored

Your speaking responses are assessed by DUO examiners — the exam is not computer-graded. The examiners listen to your recordings and evaluate several criteria:

• Pronunciation — Can you be understood? You don't need perfect pronunciation — being understandable at A2 level is enough.
• Fluency — Speaking clearly and at a natural pace matters more than speaking fast.
• Vocabulary — Did you use appropriate words for the situation?
• Grammar — Are your sentences structured correctly?
• Task completion — Did you complete what was asked?

Important: Silence counts against you — always say something, even if imperfect. A partial answer scores higher than no answer at all.

Strategies and Tips

• Speak clearly and at a normal pace — don't rush. The examiners need to understand you.
• Use simple sentences: subject + verb + object. Keep it straightforward.
• If you don't know a word, describe it in other words (omschrijven). This shows communication ability.
• Always say something — silence scores zero. Even a partial answer is better than nothing.
• Practice the common scenarios: making appointments, calling in sick, introducing yourself.
• Use filler phrases to buy time: "Even denken..." (let me think), "Dat is een goede vraag" (that's a good question).
• For role-plays, imagine you're actually in the situation — what would you naturally say?
• Practice speaking out loud every day, even to yourself. The more you speak, the more natural it becomes.

Common Speaking Situations

These are the types of situations that frequently appear on the spreken exam. Practicing these will prepare you for most tasks:

Introducing Yourself (Jezelf voorstellen)

You may be asked to introduce yourself — your name, age, nationality, where you live, your family, and your work or studies.

• Ik heet... — My name is...
• Ik kom uit... — I come from...
• Ik woon in... — I live in...

Making Appointments (Afspraken maken)

Common scenarios include calling a doctor, dentist, gemeente, or school to make an appointment.

• Ik wil graag een afspraak maken voor... — I would like to make an appointment for...
• Heeft u plek op...? — Do you have availability on...?

Calling In Sick (Ziek melden)

You may need to call in sick at work or report your child's absence at school.

• Ik ben ziek, ik kan vandaag niet komen — I am sick, I cannot come today
• Mijn zoon/dochter is ziek — My son/daughter is sick

At a Store (In de winkel)

Scenarios may involve asking for help, returning items, or asking about prices.

• Heeft u dit ook in een andere maat? — Do you have this in another size?
• Ik wil dit graag ruilen — I would like to exchange this

Useful Phrases for the Spreken Exam

Polite Requests

• Ik wil graag... — I would like...
• Kunt u mij helpen? — Can you help me?
• Mag ik...? — May I...?

Giving Information

• Mijn naam is... — My name is...
• Ik woon in... — I live in...
• Ik werk bij... / Ik ben... — I work at... / I am...

Asking Questions

• Hoe laat...? — What time...?
• Waar is...? — Where is...?
• Hoeveel kost...? — How much does it cost?

Handling Difficulty

• Kunt u dat herhalen? — Can you repeat that?
• Ik begrijp het niet — I don't understand
• Kunt u langzamer praten? — Can you speak slower?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the spreken exam? +

The spreken (speaking) exam takes approximately 35 minutes. You complete several speaking tasks of varying difficulty. Each task gives you preparation time before you need to speak.

Do I speak to a real person during the spreken exam? +

No, the spreken exam is computer-based. You wear headphones and speak into a microphone. The computer presents situations and records your responses. DUO examiners listen to your recordings later to assess your speaking ability.

What happens if I make a mistake while speaking? +

Don't worry about small mistakes — the examiners assess your overall A2 speaking ability, not perfection. If you notice a mistake, you can correct yourself. The most important thing is to keep speaking and complete the task. Silence scores lower than an imperfect answer.

What score do I need to pass the spreken exam? +

The spreken exam is assessed by DUO examiners who evaluate whether your speaking meets A2 level. There is no fixed percentage — they consider your pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and whether you completed the tasks. You need to demonstrate basic conversational ability in Dutch.

How can I practice for the spreken exam? +

Practice speaking Dutch every day, even to yourself. Rehearse common scenarios: introducing yourself, making appointments, calling in sick. Build your vocabulary with the Inburgering Coach app — the more words you know, the easier it is to express yourself. Record yourself speaking and listen back to identify areas for improvement.