Passing the Dutch inburgering exam requires a strong command of A2-level vocabulary — approximately 1,200 to 2,000 words that cover everyday topics like work, health, family, and civic life. This guide walks you through the vocabulary you need, how it is organised, and how to study it efficiently.
What vocabulary does the inburgering exam test?
The inburgering exam (Inburgeringsexamen or Staatsexamen NT2) tests your ability to understand and use Dutch in real-life situations. The vocabulary tested is roughly at CEFR level A2, with some B1 words for the higher-level Staatsexamen. There is no single official vocabulary list, but the topics are well-documented:
- Daily life — shopping, transport, housing, time expressions
- Work and education — job titles, workplace language, school vocabulary
- Health and body — body parts, symptoms, doctor appointments
- Family and relationships — family members, social interactions
- Civic life — government, rights, obligations, public services
- Directions and places — geography, locations, navigation
How many words do you need?
A confident A2 speaker knows around 1,500–2,000 words. Most inburgering preparation courses target 1,200 core words. With StartDutch you have access to 3,000+ words spanning A1, A2 and B1 — far more than the exam requires, which means you are always well prepared.
Vocabulary by category
Organising your learning by part of speech and topic makes retention easier:
- Nouns — the largest group: people, places, objects, concepts
- Verbs — the most important for communication: regular, irregular, and separable verbs
- Adjectives — describing appearance, size, quality
- Adverbs — time, frequency, manner
- Prepositions — location and movement (in, op, aan, bij, naar)
- Conjunctions — connecting ideas (en, maar, want, omdat, als)
Why dictation practice works
Simply reading a word list is not enough. Research consistently shows that active recall — being tested on a word rather than just seeing it — dramatically improves long-term retention. Dictation practice is one of the most effective methods because you must produce the Dutch word yourself, which trains both spelling and memory simultaneously.
StartDutch's dictation mode works on this principle: you see the translation and must type the Dutch word. Words you struggle with come back more often — the same spaced-repetition approach used in medical training and language certifications.
Recommended study plan (12 weeks)
- Weeks 1–4: Learn the 500 most common nouns and verbs. Use StartDutch's vocabulary list to practice daily with dictation (15 minutes per day is enough).
- Weeks 5–8: Add adjectives, prepositions, and conjunctions. Focus on civic-life vocabulary.
- Weeks 9–12: Review weak spots. Use the mistake tracker to drill words you consistently get wrong.
Ready to start? Browse the full vocabulary list or create a free account to begin dictation practice today.