VWO Engels
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ExploreAbout this exam
VWO Engels is the English component of the Dutch vwo school-exam programme, examined under the responsibility of the College voor Toetsen en Examens (CvTE). It is taken by vwo candidates in the Netherlands who need English as part of their diploma profile; the programme is described by the domains listed on this page: leesvaardigheid (reading comprehension), kijk- en luistervaardigheid (listening/viewing), schrijfvaardigheid (writing), gespreksvaardigheid (speaking) and literatuur (literature). The exam combines centrally set components with school-exam components, so your own school's programme (PTO) determines part of what you are assessed on. Preparation should be built around sustained exposure to authentic English: read long-form journalism and literary texts, listen to interviews and lectures at natural speed, and practise writing structured argumentative and informative texts with a clear register. For speaking, rehearse discussing a text or topic for several minutes without preparation notes. For literature, keep a reading list with short notes on theme, character and narrative technique, since you will be asked to talk about what you have read. Note that new examination programmes for Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish and mathematics at havo/vwo take effect from August 2029; until then the current programme remains in force. Always check the year ring and your school's PTO for the rules that apply to your cohort.
What you'll study
About VWO Engels preparation
Is this an official Examenblad page?
No. This is an independent study page and has no affiliation with Examenblad.nl, the CvTE or any school. The official rules, syllabi and exam dates are published by the CvTE via Examenblad.nl. Use this page for orientation and practice planning, and treat your school's programme of toetsing en afsluiting (PTO) and the official syllabus as the binding sources.
Which components does the vwo English exam consist of?
The programme covers five domains: leesvaardigheid (reading comprehension), kijk- en luistervaardigheid (listening and viewing), schrijfvaardigheid (writing), gespreksvaardigheid (speaking) and literatuur (literature). Some of these are assessed in the centraal examen and others in the schoolexamen. Your school's PTO states exactly which component is examined when and how it is weighted.
How long does the exam take and how many questions are there?
Those details are not stated in the sources available to this page, so no figure is given here. The number of items and the time allowed can also differ per year and per component. Check the current syllabus and the year ring on Examenblad.nl for your cohort, and ask your teacher for the duration of each school-exam component.
How is the exam graded and what do I need to pass?
No pass mark or weighting is published on this page, because the sources consulted do not state one. In practice your final grade combines the centraal examen result with your schoolexamen results according to your school's PTO. Ask your teacher how the components are weighted in your cohort and what the slaag/zak rules mean for English specifically.
Can I retake the exam?
Retake rules are not stated in the sources used here, so no answer can be given with confidence. Retakes of central exams are governed by national rules and by your school's examination secretary, while schoolexamen components usually follow the school's own reparation rules. Contact your exam secretary for the options that apply to you.
How difficult is vwo English?
The level is aimed at near-native comprehension of authentic English texts and recordings, with accurate, well-structured production in writing and speech. Most candidates find reading and listening manageable after steady practice, while writing and speaking demand control of register, cohesion and vocabulary range. Literature requires genuine reading rather than summary memorisation.
What is the best order to prepare?
Start with reading and listening, because they build vocabulary and feel for style that feed writing and speaking. Add writing practice with feedback on structure and register, then speaking, rehearsing short unprepared talks. Leave literature reading spread across the year rather than the final weeks, keeping notes you can use when discussing a text.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Typical problems are answering reading questions from general knowledge instead of the passage, writing texts with Dutch-influenced word order, and speaking in short sentences without development. In literature, candidates often summarise plot but cannot discuss theme or technique. Misreading the question type, for example giving a personal opinion where a textual reference is required, also costs marks.
When do the new examination programmes start?
New examination programmes for Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish and mathematics at havo and vwo take effect from August 2029. Until that date the current programme remains in force. If your cohort sits the exam before August 2029, the existing programme and syllabus apply to you; check the CvTE announcement for the details of the new syllabi.