Last update: 03.01.2012

What and for whom?
The CNaVT exam is the official, international exam of Dutch as a Foreign Language for all who learn Dutch all over the world. The Catholic University of Leuven organises the exam. The Dutch Language Union has commissioned this collaboration.

Why and which exam to take?
By passing an exam a language learner proves that he or she has mastered enough Dutch to be able to speak it, listen, read and write in certain contexts. People learn Dutch for a variety of reasons: to go on holiday in the Netherlands or Belgium for example. Or to study, live or work in a Dutch-speaking environment. For this reason the CNaVT has developed different profile exams. The language learner can choose which profile (exam) suits his or her needs best. One can make a choice out of the following:

Profile tourist and informal language proficiency (PTIT) For those who want to maintain social contacts with their Dutch-speaking family or friends. Also for those who want to demonstrate that they can manage as a tourist in a Dutch-speaking area, or for those who want to communicate with Dutch-speaking tourists in a non-professional context in their own country. If you need an official document to prove your Dutch is at level A2, you can join this exam.		CNaVT and CEFR The CNaVT has linked the different profile exams to the Common European Framework Reference (CEFR). Here a distinction is made between six levels of language proficiency from A1 to C2:
Obligated for naturalization
Profile societal language proficiency (PMT) For those who have an interest in the Dutch language and culture or want to live in the Netherlands or Belgium for an extended period of time. If you need an official document to prove your Dutch is at level B1 (e.g. you apply for a Dutch nationality), you can join this exam.
Profile professional language proficiency (PPT) For those who would like to work in an administrative or service-oriented profession and therefore need Dutch (e.g. as a secretary or bank employee). If private companies request require an official document to prove your Dutch is at level B2, you can join this exam.
		When? A candidate can take a CNaVT exam in May of every year. Where? Wildenberg Dutch Cultural Centre. Apply? The candidate must register with the examiner (Wildenberg Dutch Cultural Centre) who sends the registration forms to the CNaVT-secretariat before the 20th of March. Do you need help for preparation? At Wildenberg Dutch Cultural Centre we offer courses at various levels, with preparation to the CNaVT exams.
Obligated by universities
Profile language proficiency higher education (PTHO) For those who would like to study at a Dutch-speaking college of higher education or university. If the university you want to start requires an official document to prove your Dutch is at level B2, you can join this exam.
Profile academic language proficiency (PAT) For those who have neared completion of their education in Dutch as a foreign language or for those who would like to teach Dutch as a foreign language. It is also for people who want to work in a Dutch-speaking academic environment, e.g. as a researcher. If you need to proof your Dutch level is at C1 (e.g. you want to work at a university) you can join this exam.

Dutch universities	Recognize PAT	Recognize PTHO	Recognize PPT
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen	X	X
Universiteit Twente	X	X
Universiteit van Amsterdam	X	X
Universiteit Maastricht	X	X
- Faculteit der Gezondheidswetenschappen	X	X
- Faculteit der Psychologie	X	X
Universiteit van Tilburg	X	X
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam	X	X
Universiteit Utrecht	X	X
Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen	X	X	X
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven	X	X
Universiteit van Aruba	X	X
Saxion Hogeschool in Deventer, Enschede en Apeldoorn	X	X
Hogeschool InHolland	X	X
Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht	X	X
Stenden Hogeschool in Leeuwarden en Emmen	X	X
Belgian universities	Recognize PAT	Recognize PTHO	Recognize PPT
Universiteit Antwerpen	X	X
Universiteit Gent	X	X	X
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven	X	X
Katholieke Universiteit Brussel	X	X
Universiteit Hasselt / tUL	X	X
Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven	X	X
Karel De Grote - Hogeschool vzw	X	X
Katholieke Hogeschool Mechelen	X	X
Hogeschool Gent	X	X
Hogeschool voor Wetenschap & Kunst	X	X
Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel	X	X
Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg		X
Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen	X	X
Groep T - Internationale Hogeschool Leuven	X	X
Hogeschool Sint-Lukas Brussel	X	X
Katholieke Hogeschool Brugge – Oostende	X	X
Katholieke Hogeschool Sint-Lieven, Gent	X	X
Lessius Hogeschool, Antwerpen	X	X
Katholieke Hogeschool Zuid-West-Vlaanderen	X	X
XIOS Hogeschool Limburg	X	X
Katholieke Hogeschool Limburg	X	X