In short
- In the Speaking exam you answer tasks on a computer with headphones and a microphone for about 25 minutes (30 at most); Program II adds one long task of 2 minutes.
- Two assessors listen to each task independently and look at content, word and sentence formation, vocabulary, pronunciation and pace, among other things.
- If you only read aloud or do not do what the task asks, you get no more than 1 point for content.
- You pass with a skill score of 500 or higher; there is no fixed number of points or percentage.
Speaking (Spreken) is one of the four parts of the State Exam NT2 (Staatsexamen NT2). You talk to a computer, not to a person. This guide explains how the exam works, how Program I and II differ and what the assessors listen for. Everything is based on the official rules of the Board of Tests and Examinations (College voor Toetsen en Examens, CvTE) and on staatsexamensnt2.nl.
How does the Speaking exam work?
- You work on a computer with headphones and a microphone.
- Each task appears on the screen and is also read aloud. You can read along. Your answer is recorded.
- The exam takes about 25 minutes, 30 at most.
- You cannot go back, pause or listen to your answer again.
- You may not use a dictionary in the Speaking exam.
The tasks are about work, education and daily life. You often see one or more drawings. Sometimes the task asks for your opinion.
Program I and II: the structure
| Program I (B1) | Program II (B2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Short tasks | 8 | 4 |
| Medium-length tasks | 8 | 8 |
| Long task | none | 1 |
| Duration | about 25 minutes (30 at most) | about 25 minutes (30 at most) |
Each type of task has a fixed time to prepare and to speak:
| Type of task | Preparation | Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Short: you give a short answer | 5 seconds (only for a task with a picture) | 20 seconds |
| Medium-length: you give a longer answer | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Long (Program II only): you talk about a topic | 2 minutes | 2 minutes |
How is Speaking assessed?
Two assessors listen to each task independently. If needed, a third one listens too. On average at least 10 different assessors work on one exam. Your points are the average of their judgements.
First, the assessor checks whether there is anything to assess. That is not the case if you say nothing, if you do not give an understandable answer in Dutch that fits the task, or if there was a technical problem. Then the assessor looks at these points:
- Content: do you answer the question and do what the task asks?
- Word and sentence formation: do you make correct sentences, with the correct forms of words?
- Vocabulary: do you use words that fit the topic?
- Pronunciation: is your Dutch easy to understand?
- Pace: how fluently do you speak?
- Coherence: does your story hang together well? This only counts for the long task in Program II.
Content always counts. For a short task, either word and sentence formation or word choice counts as well; you can score 2 points at most. For a medium-length task, word and sentence formation always count too, plus one or more of vocabulary, pronunciation and pace. For the long task, all six points count.
You do not have to speak without mistakes: a few mistakes are allowed. The rules treat an article, a diminutive or a plural as small mistakes. A wrong verb form, wrong word order or leaving out ‘het’ are other mistakes. And if the task asks for your opinion, the assessor does not check whether your argument is ‘right’. A reason someone else finds strange can be a perfectly good reason for you.
Tips that follow from the rules
- Do not just read aloud. If you only read out the text on the screen, you get no more than 1 point for content and for word and sentence formation. Say it in your own words.
- Do what the task asks. Do you need to describe something, give an instruction or give your opinion? If you give a description when an instruction is asked for, you get no more than 1 point for content.
- Always say something in Dutch. Without an answer there is nothing to assess. A short, simple answer that fits the question is better than nothing.
- Use your speaking time. Speaking for more than two sentences is not penalised. Mention the main points and the relevant details.
- A phone call? You usually do not need to introduce yourself, unless the task asks you to.
- Practise under exam conditions. Practise out loud, without pausing, and record yourself. Pay special attention to verb forms and word order.
Results, resits and inspection
Your points are converted into a skill score (vaardigheidsscore). With 500 or higher you pass. Every exam is different, so each exam needs a different number of points to reach 500. That is why there is no fixed number of points or percentage. Your result is ‘pass’ (voldoende) or ‘fail’ (onvoldoende) and is published online about 3 to 7 weeks after the exam. You also receive it by email and by post.
- Did not pass? You can only register again once you have your result. You pay the exam fee again per part. The exam regulations do not set a maximum number of attempts. Parts you have already passed remain valid.
- Inspection: you do not see the questions again. The CvTE does keep your exam for 6 months. During that time you can ask in writing to check that your exam was processed correctly.
- Was the exam not fair or not properly conducted? Then ask in writing for a measure within 3 weeks after the exam, via nt2@duo.nl.
Adapted exam: more time
Do you have a disability or personal circumstances, such as dyslexia? Then you can request an adapted exam (aangepast examen). Mention it when you register; after that a document from a specialist is needed. Speaking then takes about 35 minutes instead of 25. You get more time per task: for a short task 8 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak, for a medium-length task 25 and 60 seconds, and for the long task 3 and 4 minutes. The adapted exam may be on a different date or at a different location.
On the exam day
- Bring your invitation letter (oproepbrief) and valid ID with a photo. Without valid ID you cannot take the exam.
- Arrive half an hour early to check in. If you are late, you may no longer enter the exam room.
- Your phone, watch and other devices are switched off and go into a locker. Your own pen or paper is not allowed: you are given a pen and scrap paper.
- The exam supervisor asks you to show your ears, to check that you are not wearing earbuds.
Free official practice
The CvTE has a free practice environment, without login: oefenexamensnt2.nl There you find separate speaking tasks for Program I and II and complete exams. The explanation is on staatsexamensnt2.nl. When practising you can pause and listen back; in the real exam you cannot. So also practise once without stopping.
Practising with feedback
A course is not required for the State Exam, but it can help you learn the language well. Would you like to know how your answers sound to someone who listens for the same points as the assessors? At TaalPro you can practise speaking tasks in lessons or private lessons and get feedback from a teacher.