The A2 Listening exam (Luisteren) takes 45 minutes on a computer. You watch short videos, listen to texts and answer questions about them. In DUO’s official practice exams that means 25 questions, marked automatically.
On paper Listening looks like Reading: same number of questions, same everyday subjects. In practice it is the part people most often underestimate. Here is why, and what to do about it.
In this article
The format: 45 minutes
The A2 Listening exam takes 45 minutes and is taken on a computer.
Source: inburgeren.nl — content of the language exams — consulted 28-07-2026 (Dutch)
DUO does not publish the question count, but the start screen of all three official A2 Listening practice exams states "U moet in dit examen 25 vragen beantwoorden".
All three official DUO A2 Listening practice exams contain 25 questions and last 45 minutes.
Source: inburgeren.nl — practice exams — consulted 28-07-2026 (Dutch)
Why Listening is harder than Reading
| Reading | Listening | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions (practice) | 25 | 25 |
| Time | 65 min | 45 min |
| Per question | ±2.5 min | ±1.8 min |
| Can you go back? | yes | no |
| Who sets the pace? | you | the exam |
Three things make the difference: nearly a minute less per question, no control over the pace, and no way back. Miss a number and you cannot flip back a page.
Which is why one specific habit matters most: practise as if you hear every fragment only once. If you rewind at home, you are training something the exam will not give you.
Which situations you hear
- a conversation at the doctor or hospital;
- an announcement at a station or in a shop;
- a colleague or manager asking something;
- a phone call from your child’s school;
- someone giving directions or making an appointment.
That is genuinely good news. No political broadcasts. It is the Dutch you already hear around you every day — and you can practise it anywhere.
The types of question
| Type | What is asked | What to listen for |
|---|---|---|
| Detail | a time, price, day or number | digits — almost always the point |
| Main point | what is this about? | the opening sentences |
| Reason | why does something happen? | "omdat", "want", "daarom" |
| Required action | what should you do? | "bel", "kom", "neem", "stuur" |
| Attitude | how does someone react? | tone, and words like "helaas" |
One trap with detail questions: conversations often mention two numbers — an old appointment and a new one, a price with and without discount. The question is almost always about the second.
The strategy: read ahead
With Listening, the important work happens before the audio starts.
- Read the question while you still can. Know what to listen for.
- Decide what kind of information you need. A time? A price? A name?
- Listen for that. You do not need the rest.
- Missed it? Choose and move on. Dwelling costs you the next fragment too.
Numbers are usually the question. Train Dutch numerals specifically — "veertien uur twintig", "half drie", "twee euro vijftig". Many people know the words but have never had to catch them at speed.
Try a question
At the dentist you hear: "Uw afspraak van donderdag half elf kan helaas niet doorgaan. Kunt u vrijdag om kwart over negen? Anders is de eerstvolgende mogelijkheid maandag." Which new appointment is the dentist proposing?
The biggest mistake: trying to understand everything
A word comes up that you do not know. You start thinking about it. While you think, the audio continues — and you miss the next two sentences, where the answer was.
One unknown word costs you three sentences. It is almost always better to let the word go and keep listening.
Train this deliberately. Listen to something slightly too hard and agree with yourself: no stopping, no rewinding, no looking anything up. Just keep listening. It feels uncomfortable, and it is precisely the skill being tested.
Remember: you do not need every answer right to pass. That is stated in DUO’s own plain-language summary of the exam regulations.
How to practise at home
Dutch TV with Dutch subtitles. Not subtitles in your own language — then you are reading, not listening.
Radio while cooking or driving. You need not understand it all; your ear adjusts to the speed.
Practise without rewinding. Hear it once, then answer — as the exam works.
Drill numbers separately. Have someone read out times and prices.
Use a headset. You will on the exam. Practise in the same conditions.
You must be present 30 minutes before the exam. You get 15 minutes of explanation before it starts. Without valid ID you may not sit the exam.
Source: DUO exam regulations — consulted 28-07-2026 (Dutch)
As with every part, DUO does not publish how much you need correct: the pass mark is a cesuur set by the Minister. If you fail Listening, you retake only that part — see failing and retaking.
DUO has 3 free Listening practice exams. Do them, then get more volume: we have 10, with real audio and an explanation per question, recorded and checked by a certified NT2 teacher.
Read on: all four parts explained, or start a free practice exam.