Inburgering Exam A2 Writing (Schrijven) Preparation

The writing section of the Inburgering A2 exam tests your ability to communicate in Dutch through short written text. DUO explains the exam is on paper (pen and paper), lasts 40 minutes, and has 4 writing tasks (for example a short letter or filling in a form). It’s essential to practice writing by hand, because many people are used to typing and may struggle to write clearly during the exam.

Official format (DUO)

The writing exam is not about long stories. It is about completing simple tasks correctly and clearly. Focus on structure, spelling, and short sentences.

Types of Writing Tasks

Fill the Form

One of the tasks requires you to fill out a form with personal details. Ensure that you understand how to correctly provide information like your name, address, date of birth, and other necessary details in Dutch.

Write an Email

Another task might ask you to write an email. You could be required to write an invitation, a complaint, or make a request for information. For example, you might need to write to a language school to ask about available courses.

Write a short message or letter

You may also be asked to write a short message or letter in an everyday situation (for example to school, a landlord, or a service). These tasks assess if you can communicate clearly with simple Dutch.

Reusing Question Words and Phrases

A useful strategy for writing in the Inburgering exam is to reuse key words and phrases from the question in your response. This helps keep your writing clear and ensures that you’re addressing the task correctly.

How to Use Key Words

• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the specific words and phrases in the instructions.
• Incorporate Key Words: Use similar or the same words from the prompt in your answer. Make slight adjustments to ensure grammatical correctness.

Example: Writing an Email to a Language School

Let’s say the task asks you to write an email to a language school requesting information about their courses. The instructions might include phrases like "U wilt een nieuwe taal leren" (You want to learn a new language) or "vraag naar de beschikbare cursussen" (ask about available courses).

Here’s a potential response:

Task Instruction: "U wilt een nieuwe taal leren en zoekt naar een taalcursus. Schrijf een e-mail aan een taalschool om informatie te vragen."

Answer: "Ik wil een nieuwe taal leren. Welke cursussen zijn beschikbaar? Wanneer begint de cursus? Hoeveel kost de cursus?"

This technique is especially helpful when you are unsure how to structure your response. By repeating key words, you make sure that your answer is on-topic and grammatically correct.

Tips for the Writing Exam

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the writing section of the Inburgering exam:

• Practice writing by hand, as the exam requires handwritten responses.

• Reuse key words and phrases from the task to maintain clarity.

• Keep your sentences simple and to the point.

• Focus on correct grammar and spelling, even if your responses are short.

Want to practice the writing exam?

UseDutch can help you practice for the writing exam with exam-style tasks and guided practice.

• Start from zero: follow a simple roadmap from A0 to A2 (vocabulary + grammar + daily practice).

• Exam-style tasks: practice questions designed to feel similar to the official exam tasks (forms, short messages, simple emails).

• Practice tools: train short, correct answers and reuse safe structures.

Sources

• DUO (inburgeren.nl): Taalexamens A2 (Schrijven format + duration)
• DUO (inburgeren.nl): Oefenen (practice exams A2)