How long does it take to prepare for the Reading exam in 2026?

· By Maksim · 2 min read

Hi, I'm Maksim 👋 Reading is one of the exams that can feel simple at first. But I still think it is important to prepare properly, because the exam format and time pressure can surprise you.

That's why I want to share how long Reading preparation took me and what helped me feel more confident.

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How long Reading preparation took me 📖

For me, Reading preparation took about 2 weeks.

The main goal was not to learn everything from zero. The goal was to build confidence and make the exam format feel familiar.

What I did during preparation 📚

I booked the exam in advance.

This was important because without a real exam date, I did not feel enough motivation to prepare. Once the date was booked, my brain understood that I actually needed to study.

When I knew I was ready ✅

I started feeling ready when I was consistently scoring above the passing score on practice tests.

For me, this was a better signal than just thinking, 'I know Dutch, so I'm probably fine.'

Keep preparing

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to prepare for the Reading exam?

For Maksim, Reading preparation took about 2 weeks — the goal wasn't learning Dutch from zero, but building confidence and making the exam format feel familiar.

Does booking the exam in advance help preparation?

Yes — booking a real exam date gave a concrete deadline that created real motivation to study, rather than preparing vaguely with no target date.

How do you know when you're ready for the Reading exam?

Consistently scoring above the passing score on practice tests is a more reliable signal than just assuming your Dutch is good enough.

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