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100+ Free Staatsexamen Practice Questions

Pass your Netherlands Staatsexamen VWO / HAVO exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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What is the main consequence of the greenhouse effect on global climate?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Staatsexamen Exam

The Dutch Staatsexamen lets adults and non-school candidates earn VWO or HAVO diplomas by sitting individual subjects through DUO, with results valid 10 years and three exam periods per year.

Sample Staatsexamen Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Staatsexamen exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A student registers for the Netherlands Staatsexamen vo. What is the registration fee per subject for the 2026 exam year?
A.€71
B.€100
C.€144
D.€720
Explanation: The standard Staatsexamen vo fee is €144 per subject (2026). This covers both the central written exam (Centraal Examen) and the college exam component. A reduced fee of €71 applies when a subject has only a college-exam component.
2Between which dates must a candidate register for the Netherlands Staatsexamen vo (for the following calendar year)?
A.January 1 – March 31
B.April 1 – June 30
C.October 15 – December 31
D.September 1 – October 14
Explanation: Registration for the Staatsexamen vo opens on 15 October and closes on 31 December for the exams to be taken in the following calendar year. Candidates register via the DUO website (duo.nl) using DigiD.
3The Netherlands Staatsexamen vo is divided into two components. What are they?
A.Written exam and oral exam only
B.Centraal Examen (CE) and College-examen
C.School exam (PTA) and central exam
D.Mondeling and schriftelijk only
Explanation: The Staatsexamen has two parts: the Centraal Examen (CE), which is the same central written exam taken by regular school candidates, and the College-examen, which replaces the school exam (PTA) for state candidates and typically consists of an oral and sometimes a written component.
4In how many 'tijdvakken' (examination periods) is the Netherlands Staatsexamen vo offered per year?
A.One
B.Two
C.Three
D.Four
Explanation: The Staatsexamen vo is offered in three tijdvakken per year: the 1st period (May–June, same dates as regular school exams), the 2nd period (June), and the 3rd period (August–September). This gives candidates multiple opportunities to resit or complete subjects.
5Dutch secondary education uses a grading scale of 1–10. What is the minimum passing grade required for a subject in the final Staatsexamen diploma calculation?
A.4.0
B.5.0
C.5.5
D.6.0
Explanation: Dutch secondary education grades run from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest). A grade of 5.5 or higher is considered a pass for a subject. The final diploma requires a weighted combination of the Centraal Examen and the College-examen, with each counting for 50% of the subject grade.
6A Dutch text contains the sentence: 'De overheid investeert jaarlijks miljarden in de infrastructuur, hoewel critici beweren dat dit geld beter aan zorg besteed kan worden.' What is the BEST summary of this sentence?
A.The government spends money on healthcare rather than infrastructure.
B.The government invests billions annually in infrastructure, though critics argue the money would be better spent on healthcare.
C.Critics have convinced the government to stop funding infrastructure.
D.The government has no money left for healthcare.
Explanation: The sentence states that the government invests billions annually in infrastructure ('De overheid investeert jaarlijks miljarden in de infrastructuur'), but critics argue this money would be better spent on healthcare ('hoewel critici beweren dat dit geld beter aan zorg besteed kan worden'). Option B captures both halves accurately.
7In a Dutch tekstverklaring exam, a passage uses the word 'desalniettemin.' What does this connector word signal?
A.A cause-and-effect relationship
B.A contrast or concession (nevertheless/nonetheless)
C.A chronological sequence
D.An example or illustration
Explanation: 'Desalniettemin' means 'nevertheless' or 'nonetheless' in English. In Dutch reading comprehension (tekstverklaring), connectors signal the logical relationship between sentences. 'Desalniettemin' signals a contrast or concession: the writer acknowledges something but continues in an opposing direction.
8Read this English passage: 'Despite the rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity, fossil fuels still account for the majority of global electricity generation, primarily because storage and grid infrastructure have not kept pace with the growth in solar and wind output.' What is the PRIMARY reason given for fossil fuels' continued dominance?
A.Renewable energy is more expensive than fossil fuels.
B.Storage and grid infrastructure have not kept pace with renewable growth.
C.Solar and wind power produce insufficient electricity.
D.Governments prefer to subsidise fossil fuel companies.
Explanation: The passage explicitly states the primary reason: 'storage and grid infrastructure have not kept pace with the growth in solar and wind output.' This is a direct reading-comprehension question testing whether candidates identify the stated cause rather than an assumed or implied one.
9In an English reading exam passage, the author writes: 'The policy was ostensibly designed to protect consumers, yet its primary beneficiaries were large corporations.' What does 'ostensibly' mean in context?
A.Genuinely and transparently
B.Apparently or on the surface, but not necessarily in reality
C.Secretly and covertly
D.Legally and officially
Explanation: 'Ostensibly' means 'apparently' or 'on the surface,' implying a contrast with the actual reality. The sentence uses 'yet' to reinforce that the stated purpose (consumer protection) differs from the actual outcome (benefiting corporations). This is a typical vocabulary-in-context item on the HAVO/VWO English CE.
10Solve for x: 3x − 7 = 2x + 5
A.x = 2
B.x = 12
C.x = −2
D.x = 6
Explanation: Subtract 2x from both sides: 3x − 2x − 7 = 5, so x − 7 = 5. Add 7 to both sides: x = 12. This is a basic linear equation that appears on VMBO, HAVO, and VWO Wiskunde central exams.

About the Staatsexamen Exam

The Netherlands Staatsexamen vo (state examination for secondary education) is the official pathway for candidates who cannot take their final exams at a regular secondary school — including adults, home-schooled students, international returnees, and those needing to upgrade individual subject grades. Organised by DUO and developed by the CvTE, the Staatsexamen allows candidates to sit exams for individual subjects at VMBO, HAVO, or VWO level and accumulate grades (valid for 10 years) toward a full diploma. Each subject consists of two components: the Centraal Examen (CE), the same central written paper sat by all national candidates in May, and the College-examen, an oral (and sometimes written) examination that replaces the school-based Programme of Assessment (PTA). Exams are offered in three tijdvakken per year (May–June, June, and August–September) at official centres in cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Groningen, Arnhem, and others. The 2026 registration window ran from 15 October to 31 December 2025; subjects cost €144 each, with an annual cap of €720.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

2.5–3 hours per subject for the central written exam (Centraal Examen); the college exam (oral/written replacement for the school PTA) typically lasts 15–30 minutes per subject.

Passing Score

Minimum 5.5 (on the 1–10 scale) for each subject, calculated as the 50/50 average of the Centraal Examen and College-examen grades. A full diploma also requires meeting subject-combination rules.

Exam Fee

€144 per subject (2026); €71 for subjects with a college-exam component only; annual cap of €720 for a full diploma package. Fees are paid via iDEAL during registration on duo.nl. (DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) — registration and logistics; CvTE (College voor Toetsen en Examens) — exam development and quality assurance.)

Staatsexamen Exam Content Outline

18%

Wiskunde (Mathematics)

Algebra, functions, geometry, trigonometry, statistics and probability, calculus (differentiation and integration for Wiskunde B), and exponential/logarithmic functions.

15%

Biologie (Biology)

Cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, human physiology, plant physiology, and molecular biology (DNA replication, protein synthesis).

14%

Scheikunde (Chemistry)

Atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, acid-base chemistry, redox, chemical equilibrium, organic chemistry, gas laws, and concentration calculations.

14%

Natuurkunde (Physics)

Mechanics, waves and optics, electricity and circuits, nuclear physics, and thermodynamics at HAVO/VWO level.

12%

Nederlands (Dutch Language)

Reading comprehension analysis (tekstverklaring): main idea, text structure, connector words, tone, rhetoric, and argument analysis of non-fiction texts.

10%

Engels (English Language)

Reading comprehension: main idea, vocabulary in context, tone analysis, grammar, and inference from non-fiction and literary passages.

9%

Geschiedenis (History)

Ten canonical tijdvakken from prehistory to the present, Dutch and European history, World Wars, the Holocaust, decolonisation, and historiographical skills.

9%

Aardrijkskunde (Geography)

Physical geography, Dutch water management and polders, the Randstad, climate change and the greenhouse effect, and world regional geography.

9%

Economie (Economics)

Demand and supply, price elasticity, GDP, unemployment, comparative advantage, profit calculation, and Dutch labour economics (bruto/netto salary).

How to Pass the Staatsexamen Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Minimum 5.5 (on the 1–10 scale) for each subject, calculated as the 50/50 average of the Centraal Examen and College-examen grades. A full diploma also requires meeting subject-combination rules.
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 2.5–3 hours per subject for the central written exam (Centraal Examen); the college exam (oral/written replacement for the school PTA) typically lasts 15–30 minutes per subject.
  • Exam fee: €144 per subject (2026); €71 for subjects with a college-exam component only; annual cap of €720 for a full diploma package. Fees are paid via iDEAL during registration on duo.nl.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Staatsexamen Study Tips from Top Performers

1Obtain the official CvTE/examenblad.nl syllabus ('examenprogramma') for each subject you are preparing — it lists exactly which topics and skills are examinable on the Centraal Examen.
2Practise with official past central exam papers ('oefenexamens') available on duo.nl and examenblad.nl; these are the most accurate predictor of difficulty and question style.
3For the college-examen (oral component), practise speaking about subject matter aloud and use the DUO practice interview guidelines to understand what the examining committee will expect.
4Focus on connecting words (signaalwoorden) in Dutch and English reading comprehension — 'hoewel,' 'desalniettemin,' 'ondanks' indicate contrast and are critical for tekstverklaring questions.
5In Wiskunde, master formula derivation rather than pure memorisation; many CE questions require you to apply formulae in novel contexts or multi-step problems.
6Plan your study timeline backwards from the 1st tijdvak registration deadline (31 December of the previous year) — leave at least 2–3 months of intensive revision per subject after completing the core material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can take the Netherlands Staatsexamen vo?

The Staatsexamen vo is open to anyone who cannot take final exams at a regular secondary school — including adults, home-schooled candidates, people who left school without a diploma, international returnees needing Dutch qualifications, and students who want to improve individual subject grades. There is no minimum age requirement, though candidates must have a DigiD to register via duo.nl.

How is the Staatsexamen graded and what is the passing score?

Dutch secondary education uses a 1–10 grading scale. A subject is passed when the final grade is 5.5 or higher. The final grade is the 50/50 average of the Centraal Examen (CE) and the College-examen. To earn a full VWO or HAVO diploma, candidates must also meet subject-combination profile rules and overall diploma compensating rules.

How much does the Staatsexamen cost per subject in 2026?

The standard fee is €144 per subject in 2026. If a subject has only a college-exam component, the fee is €71. The annual maximum a candidate pays is €720, regardless of how many subjects they register for in that year. Fees are paid via iDEAL during registration.

How many exam periods (tijdvakken) are there, and when are they?

There are three tijdvakken per year. The 1st period runs in May–June (the same dates as regular school central exams). The 2nd period is in June (approximately June 16–23 in 2026). The 3rd period takes place in August–September. This gives candidates multiple opportunities to resit failed subjects in the same year.

What is the college-examen and how does it differ from the Centraal Examen?

The Centraal Examen (CE) is the national written paper, identical for both regular school students and Staatsexamen candidates. The college-examen is an oral (and sometimes written or practical) exam that replaces the school-based Programme of Assessment (PTA) — the internal school exams regular students sit throughout the year. Staatsexamen candidates have no school or PTA, so the college-examen substitutes for that 50% component.

How long are passed Staatsexamen subject grades valid?

Passed subject grades from the Staatsexamen are valid for 10 years. This means a candidate can spread their subjects over multiple years and combine them for a full diploma, as long as all required subjects are passed within the 10-year validity window. After 10 years, a grade expires and must be retaken.