In my previous blog I told you about Het Staatsexamen NT2 programma I (the State examination program I). In this blog I will tell you all about the Staatsexamen NT2 programma II

Do you want to study or work in the Netherlands?

The Staatsexamen NT2 programma II is comparable to program I. Both exams are for non-native speakers of Dutch who want to work or study in the Netherlands. The major difference is the level of the exams. Program II is for people who want to enter higher education (hbo) or university (wo) or for those who are applying for a job at an academic level.

You do not have to complete program I before entering program II. Before choosing the right program, I would advise you to look closely at what you need and what your level is. It’s important that you choose the right level.

The language level of program II is B2. And, just like the program I exam, the program II exam consists of four parts: reading, writing, listening and speaking. So what does B2 level comprise?

1. Reading: B2 level

Reading at a B2 level means that you can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems. You can also understand contemporary literary books.

1. Reading: Staatsexamen NT2 II

In the reading part of the exam, you read sections of texts and you answer multiple choice questions. The exam takes place on a computer and takes 100 minutes. You can get texts like a popular science text or an article from a newspaper

2. Listening: B2 level

Listening at a B2 level means that you can understand extended speech and lectures and follow complex lines of argument. You can understand most TV news. B2 level listening also means that you can understand the majority of films.

2. Listening: Staatsexamen NT2 II

Every section of the listening exam starts with some short instructions. Then you will hear a fragment of a dialogue. The questions are multiple choice and this exam takes around 70 minutes.

3. Writing: B2 level

Writing at B2 level means that you can you can write a detailed text on a wide range of subjects. Also, you can write an essay, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view.

3. Writing: Staatsexamen NT2 II

Like the exam in program I, the writing part of the exam consists of two parts. In part one of the exam you have to complete sentences correctly. Important in these sentences is the correct use of conjunctions and verb conjugations.  

In part two of the exam you will get more open questions. Besides the grammar and comprehensibility, it’s important to write a short text that is structured and that answers the questions correctly.

4. Speaking: B2 level

B2 level speaking means that you can present a detailed description on a wide range of subjects. You can explain an opinion in detail. Besides that, it means that you can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction possible with native speakers. You can take an active part in a discussion.

4. Speaking: Staatsexamen NT2 II

This exam consists of three parts.

In part 1 you have to give short answers. This answer should make sense and be grammatically correct. A couple of words or two short sentences should be sufficient. You get twenty seconds to give your answer.

The questions in part 2 require a longer answer. Here your answers sometimes have to contain arguments or longer descriptions. For these answers you get 30 seconds.

In part 3 you get a particular topic with information. For example, the advantages and disadvantages of a new school in your neighbourhood. You have to speak about this for 2 minutes.

More information

If you want to learn more about reaching B1 level: my online course (2/3) will help you to do that. Also, our summer or winter school in Drenthe might be interesting.

You can find more information on the official website.

Bart de Pau
online Dutch teacher & founder of the Dutch Summer School & Dutch Winter School