You studied for months, did practice exams, memorized words… and finally exam day has come. For many candidates, it is not the exam itself but the unknown that creates stress: “How do I get there? What should I bring? What happens inside?” In this article we walk through exam day from start to finish, step by step. That way you only have to deal with the questions, not with surprises.

Note: The rules of the embassies and consulates can change from time to time. The information in this article gives a general framework; the instructions in your appointment confirmation always take priority.

One week before the exam

Check your appointment details

Re-read your appointment confirmation: date, time, address and the documents you need to bring. Find out the exact address of the mission and how to get there in advance. If you are coming from another city, plan your journey so that you are there at least an hour before the appointment time.

Get your ID ready

You take the exam with the valid identity document you used when registering (usually your passport). Check the document's expiry date. Make sure the details in your registration match the details on your ID.

Stop learning new topics

The last week is not the time to start new topics. Consolidate what you know:

Review the KNS topics you confuse (the most confused topics).
Repeat your answers on the most common Spreken topics out loud.
Do the real exam simulation one last time; this time let your goal be managing the time.

The day before the exam

Go to bed early. Lack of sleep slows down your thinking, especially in Spreken.
Pack your bag: ID document, appointment confirmation (printed or on your phone), some water if needed.
Do a light review: Go over your self-introduction sentences, the question words and the basic phrases. But do not study until midnight.
Check the route again: Public transport times, traffic, parking.

Exam day: through the door

Arrive early

Be there at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. Embassies and consulates carry out security checks, and this can take time. Arriving late can mean you are not admitted to the exam.

Security check

When you enter the mission, your bag and your person are checked. You are usually asked to hand in or switch off your phone and electronic devices. Not bringing unnecessary items makes things easier.

ID check

An official checks your ID and directs you to the exam computer. During the exam you may not have a dictionary, notes or books with you.

During the exam

Headphones and microphone

The exam is taken on a computer. For the Spreken part, headphones and a microphone are used. A sound check is done before the exam starts; make sure your own voice can be heard clearly. If there is a problem, tell the official immediately; mentioning the problem after the exam is over usually does not help.

Read the instructions carefully

At the start of each part there is a short explanation. Learning the most common words in the Dutch instructions in advance makes things much more comfortable:

Dutch	English
Lees de tekst.	Read the text.
Beantwoord de vraag.	Answer the question.
Kies het goede antwoord.	Choose the right answer.
Luister goed.	Listen carefully.
Spreek na de piep.	Speak after the beep.
Maak de zin af.	Complete the sentence.
Volgende	Next
Vorige	Previous
Klaar	Done / ready

Tip: In our real exam simulation the screens are in Dutch only. That way you get used to these instructions before exam day.

Manage your time

In KNS and Lezen, do not get stuck on a difficult question. Mark the question you are not sure of and come back to it later.
Never leave a question blank. A wrong answer is no worse than an empty one.
Check the remaining time on the screen now and then.

Stay calm in Spreken

Even if you did not understand the question, say something. Staying silent is a certain loss of points.
A short answer is enough: According to the official assessment model, an answer may consist of a single word and does not have to be grammatically correct. A short answer that fits the question, like “Met de bus.”, can get full marks.
When you make a mistake, do not stop; finish your sentence and move on.
Do not speak too fast. Being understood is more important than being fast.

For more details, have a look at the Spreken exam guide.

Managing exam stress

A little nervousness is normal and even sharpens your attention. But too much stress can make you forget even what you know. A few methods that work:

4-4-4 breathing: Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds. Repeat a few times.
Let go of the previous question: Do not let a question you think went badly affect the next ones. Every question is a fresh start.
Trust your preparation: The question types you saw in the practice exams are the ones you will meet in the exam. You will not face anything unfamiliar.

After the exam

When do the results come?

The results are not announced on exam day; they are usually communicated within a few weeks. How and when you will receive your result is stated in the system you registered with.

If you passed

Congratulations! The next step is the MVV application by your partner or sponsor in the Netherlands. Remember that your exam result is valid for the application for a limited period; do not delay the application.

If you failed one part

Do not lose heart; this happens very often. You usually only retake the part you failed. Look at your score on the result document, identify your weak area and make a short study plan focused on that part. You can repeat the relevant week of the 30-day plan.

Exam day checklist

Valid ID document (the same as in your registration)
Appointment confirmation
Address of the mission and travel plan
Arrival at least 30 minutes before the appointment
No unnecessary items or electronic devices
A good night's sleep
A light but filling breakfast

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring someone with me to the exam?

Someone can bring you to the mission; but only candidates enter the exam room. Where companions can wait depends on the mission.

Can I go to the toilet during the exam?

This depends on the rules of the mission, and your time may keep running. It is best to go just before the exam.

What happens if there is a technical problem during the exam?

Tell the official immediately. Problems like no sound or a microphone that does not work must be reported during the exam. Having the problem recorded is important for a possible appeal.

Exam day rules can differ from mission to mission. For current instructions, check your appointment confirmation and inburgeren.nl.