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NT2 Staatsexamen · Programma II · B2

How to Practise NT2 Spreken at B2 — A Self-Study Approach

The Programma II speaking module has 13 tasks, and one of them is a two-minute talk on a single topic, after preparation time. A practice routine built only from short answers leaves that task untrained. This page sets out what to practise, with each part timed to its official length.

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Practise all three parts, not only the short ones

Programma II Spreken has three parts, and each is timed differently:

Programma II Spreken — three parts

Deel 1 — Short tasks
4 × 20 s
Short speaking tasks, 20 seconds of speaking time each
Deel 2 — Medium tasks
8 × 30 s
Medium-length speaking tasks, 30 seconds of speaking time each
Deel 3 — Long task
1 × 2 min
Two minutes of speaking on one topic, after preparation time

Programma II has 4 short tasks, 8 medium tasks and 1 long task, 13 in total. Programma I has 8 short and 8 medium tasks and no long task, and no preparation time.

The official sources confirm that the long task has preparation time, but they do not give its length, so this page gives no figure for it. When you practise, set your own preparation timer, and do not present that timer as the exam's.

B1 vs B2: this page covers Programma II (B2). For Programma I (B1) practice, see How to Practise NT2 Spreken — A Self-Study Approach.

Run one full set in exam order

Practise in the same order as the exam: the short tasks first, then the medium tasks, then the long task. Do not split the set. The sequence is what the module asks of you.

One practice set — in exam order

1
4 short tasks
20 seconds of speaking time each.
2
8 medium tasks
30 seconds of speaking time each.
3
1 long task
Two minutes on one topic, after your own preparation time.

A practice routine

This is practice advice, not an exam rule. It is built on the official timings above.

Five-step practice routine

1
Time each part to its length
Give each short answer 20 seconds, each medium answer 30 seconds, and the long task two minutes of speaking.
2
Drill the long task on its own
Take one topic, prepare for a time you choose, then speak for the full two minutes without stopping. Repeat with new topics.
3
Record a full set
Record all 13 tasks in one go on any device, then listen back.
4
Mark where you stall
Note where you hesitate, repeat yourself, or run out of time. Those are the moments to drill next.
5
Drill the weakest task type first
Keep a short note of which of the 13 tasks you ran out of time on, and start the next session there.

How long it takes, and the pass mark

The official sources give slightly different durations. Plan for roughly 25 to 30 minutes for the speaking module. staatsexamensnt2.nl gives about 25 minutes for Programma I and II together, and DUO gives about 30 minutes for the B1 and B2 speaking exams together.

Every speaking exam is assessed by two assessors, and you can receive one or more points per question or task. To pass the Staatsexamen NT2 you need a score of at least 500. For how the assessment works at B2, see how NT2 Spreken is scored at B2.

Sources