A2/B1 route guide

A2 or B1 Inburgering Route Explained

Many learners hear different advice about A2 and B1 inburgering. Some people talk about the old A2 route, others talk about the B1 route under the 2021 law, and many expats are not sure what applies to them. This page explains the terms in simple language and shows how to prepare safely while checking official sources for your personal route.

Key points

  • Your required exams depend on your personal situation and whether the 2013 or 2021 civic integration act applies.
  • Mijn Inburgering, your PIP, DUO/Inburgeren, or your municipality are the official places to check your route.
  • A2 practice is still useful as a foundation even if your final route involves B1-level learning.
  • InburgeringPro supports A2 exam practice and independent preparation; it does not decide your legal requirement.

Why A2 and B1 are confusing

Learners often see A2, B1, old law, new law, route, PIP, MAP, ONA, KNM, and Nt2 in different places. The confusion is normal because these terms describe different things: language level, integration law, personal route, knowledge exams, and sometimes state exams.

The safest approach is to separate two questions: what level should I practise now, and what official exams does my personal route require?

2013 Act vs 2021 Act in simple words

  • Official Inburgeren says which exams you need depends on whether the 2013 civic integration act or the 2021 civic integration act applies to you.
  • If you do not know which law applies, check Mijn Inburgering.
  • Under the 2021 Act, the municipality makes a personal integration and participation plan, called the PIP.
  • Your PIP says which educational track you follow and which exams you need to take.
  • Under the 2013 Act, the exact exams can depend on the date from which you were required to integrate.

What A2 preparation usually means

A2 preparation means building practical Dutch for daily-life exam tasks: reading short texts, listening to simple spoken messages, writing short emails or forms, speaking clearly, and understanding KNM situations.

For many learners, A2 is the first realistic exam-preparation level. It helps you build the vocabulary, sentence patterns, and confidence needed before moving into harder B1 work.

  • Reading: emails, letters, notices, schedules, and short official messages.
  • Listening: short films, spoken texts, appointment messages, transport, school, work, and health situations.
  • Writing: forms, short emails, appointment changes, and simple requests.
  • Speaking: short answers, picture descriptions, calls, and everyday explanations.
  • KNM: practical Dutch society topics such as gemeente, huisarts, housing, work, school, money, and insurance.

What the B1 route means

The B1 route is part of the newer integration system for many learners under the 2021 Act. It is connected to your municipality and your PIP, so you should not guess from general internet advice.

Official Inburgeren explains that the B1 route can include modules and requirements such as MAP, and that your PIP states what applies to you. If something in your route is unclear, contact the municipality or check Mijn Inburgering.

Why A2 practice can still help B1-route learners

  • A2 gives the foundation: basic sentence order, daily vocabulary, listening confidence, and simple responses.
  • Learners who jump straight into B1 without A2 fluency can feel blocked by speed, vocabulary, and grammar pressure.
  • A2 exam-style practice helps you handle practical themes such as appointments, health care, school, work, transport, and gemeente.
  • Once A2 feels comfortable, B1 study becomes more realistic because you can build longer answers on top of a stable base.

Language exams and knowledge exams

Official Inburgeren separates language exams from knowledge exams. Language exams can be at A2, B1, or B2 level. B1 and B2 language exams are also known as Dutch as a Second Language state exams, or Nt2.

Knowledge exams include KNM. Under the 2021 Act, your PIP may also state whether you need MAP, the Module Labour Market and Participation.

When to check official sources

  • Check Mijn Inburgering if you do not know which exams apply to you.
  • Check your PIP if you are integrating under the 2021 Act.
  • Ask your municipality if your B1 route, MAP, Z-route, or personal plan is unclear.
  • Check official Inburgeren pages before booking exams, paying fees, or changing your preparation plan.
  • Use websites like InburgeringPro for study support, not as the final legal answer about your route.

How InburgeringPro helps

InburgeringPro focuses on A2 practice for Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking, and KNM. A free account includes one full Reading test and one full KNM test every day, while paid plans unlock the full A2 practice workspace.

If your final official route is B1, A2 practice can still help you build a stronger base. But always check official sources for your required level, route, and exams.

Sample question ideas

  • Route question: I see A2 on one website and B1 route on another. Which one applies to me? Do not guess. Check Mijn Inburgering, your PIP if you have one, or contact your municipality/DUO for your personal route.
  • Study question: Can I practise A2 if my final route may involve B1? Yes, A2 can be a useful foundation for daily Dutch, but it does not replace checking your official B1-route requirements.
  • Exam question: What is the difference between language exams and KNM? Language exams test Dutch skills such as Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. KNM checks knowledge of Dutch society and practical situations.

Useful official resources

Use official pages for current rules and personal exam requirements. Use InburgeringPro for independent study support and repeated practice.

  • Official Inburgeren: which exams apply: https://inburgeren.nl/en/taking-the-integration-exam/
  • Official language exams A2, B1, and B2: https://www.inburgeren.nl/en/taking-the-integration-exam/content-language-exams-a2-b1-b2.jsp
  • Official knowledge exams, KNM and MAP: https://www.inburgeren.nl/en/taking-the-integration-exam/content-knowledge-exams.jsp
  • Official integration overview: https://www.inburgeren.nl/en/integration-in-the-netherlands/index.jsp

Simple practice routine

  1. Check Mijn Inburgering to see which law, level, and exams apply to you.
  2. If you have a PIP, read what it says about your educational track and required exams.
  3. Use official Inburgeren pages for current rules and exam information.
  4. Build your A2 foundation with Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking, and KNM practice.
  5. If your route requires B1, move from A2 foundation into B1/Nt2 preparation with official guidance.

Important note

These are original study examples from InburgeringPro. They are not official DUO exam questions and do not guarantee an official exam result.