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In April 2025, I took the Lezen B1 (Reading B1) exam as part of my Dutch inburgering and I’m happy to share that I passed with a score of 557 out of 700!

If you’re preparing for this exam too, I hope my experience and tips can help you get ready with more confidence and clarity.

What is Lezen B1 Exam?

Lezen B1 is the Reading exam at language level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is one of the exams you may need to pass for inburgering (integration) in the Netherlands or applying for a residence permit/Dutch citizenship.

The exam measures your ability to read and understand everyday written Dutch, such as letters and emails, instructions and signs, short articles and advertisements, and workplace or government documents.

It basically tests your reading comprehension, ability to find specific information, and your understanding of the main ideas and details in written texts.

My Personal Tips

Here are a few strategies that helped me pass the Lezen B1 exam:

Practice with Past Exam Questions

The DUO website offers past exam samples. These practice tests are extremely valuable. They help you understand the structure and style of the real exam questions. I strongly recommend doing them and timing yourself. That way, you can:

• Get used to the type of texts and questions
• Train your reading speed
• Learn how to manage your time under pressure

This was one of the most effective parts of my preparation!

Build Strong Vocabulary

The more words you know, the faster you’ll understand the text. Building your vocabulary at the B1 level will not only improve your reading skills but also reduce the need for a dictionary during the exam.

Reading Dutch books has really helped me expand my vocabulary. Here are some of the books I’ve read in Dutch: Lezen in het Nederlands: Deel 1 (Reading in Dutch: Part 1) and Lezen in het Nederlands: Deel 2 (Reading in Dutch: Part 2)

Pay Attention to Keywords

Don’t try to understand every single word in the text. Focus on keywords in the question and match them with the relevant part of the article.
For example;
Question: Wat moet je meenemen naar de afspraak?
Look for words like meenemen, afspraak, benodigdheden in the article.

You don’t need to translate every word, just find the main idea.

Read the Question First (When Instructed)

In certain sections, you’re advised to read the question before diving into the article. This instruction can be incredibly helpful as it allows you to read with a clear purpose in mind. Instead of trying to absorb every detail of the article, you can focus your attention on finding the specific information needed to answer the question. Not only does this make your reading more efficient, but it also helps you avoid getting overwhelmed by unnecessary details. It’s a smart way to save time and stay focused, especially during exams or timed practice sessions.

Manage Your Time Wisely

If you find yourself stuck on a question, don’t waste time, just skip it and return to it later. It’s much more effective to work through all the easier questions first, securing those points and building momentum. Spending too much time on one difficult question can eat into the time you need for others that you might answer correctly with ease. By prioritizing the questions you feel confident about, you manage your time better and reduce stress during the exam.

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Stay consistent with your Dutch practice, build a good vocabulary base, and use smart strategies during the test. Good luck to anyone preparing! And feel free to drop questions or share your own experience in the comments!