What to expect on the inburgering Writing exam in 2026

· By Maksim · 2 min read

Hi, I'm Maksim 👋 The Writing exam is not only about Dutch. It is also about writing under pressure, checking yourself, and doing everything by hand.

I'm writing this article because some small practical things can really affect your result if you do not prepare for them 😅

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What happened during my Writing exam 📝

During the exam, we wrote the answers by hand on A4 paper.

This is important because if you are not used to writing by hand, it can feel slower than typing. Your hand, speed, and handwriting suddenly become part of the exam.

What felt harder than expected 😅

Because of stress, I sometimes made stupid mistakes.

Then I had to correct them again, which made me even more nervous. That is why I think it is very important to write a draft first and check everything carefully before copying the final version.

What you should know before the exam ✅

If you do not write by hand every day, practice it separately.

You need to learn how to find mistakes before they move into the final version. You should also check whether you write slowly, because time can become a problem.

Keep preparing

Frequently asked questions

What should I expect on the Writing exam?

You'll write your answers by hand on paper, not on a computer — if you're not used to handwriting regularly, it can feel noticeably slower than typing, so practice that specifically beforehand.

What is the biggest practical mistake on Writing exam day?

Making stress-driven mistakes and then correcting them mid-answer, which only adds more nerves. Writing a draft first and checking it calmly before copying the final version avoids this.

Should I practice handwriting before the Writing exam?

Yes, if you don't write by hand daily. You need to be able to catch mistakes before they reach the final version, and to know whether your handwriting speed will be a problem under time pressure.

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