Compulsory primary school leavers attainment test

Measuring pupils’ attainment in Dutch and arithmetic

Pupils’ proficiency in Dutch and arithmetic are measured in relation to the benchmark levels. This has 2 objectives:

1. The test indicates what type of secondary education would be most suitable for the individual pupil, based on their language proficiency and numeracy. Primary schools use the results of the test, in addition to other information, to advise on the type of secondary education most suited to a pupil. The primary school leavers attainment test is not an exam. Pupils cannot pass or fail.
2. The test gives insight into primary schools’ teaching outcomes. The Inspectorate of Education uses this information in its school assessments. This does not apply to special schools and special schools for primary education. Based on the results, schools can adapt their teaching. The Inspectorate of Education also uses the results to keep track of the quality of education in the country as a whole, based on the overall level of pupils’ language skills and numeracy.

Language and arithmetic are always assessed

All primary school leaver attainment tests must assess language and arithmetic. Test providers may also offer other, optional parts. Schools themselves decide whether or not their pupils will do the optional parts.

Equality of opportunity

A pupil’s results on the attainment test could be higher than was expected on the basis of the provisional school advice. In this case, the school may adjust its advice. If the school believes adjusting its advice is not in the pupil’s best interests, it has to explain why to the pupil and their parents.

Attainment test for all pupils in the last year of primary school

Primary schools must ensure that all pupils in group 8 take an attainment test. This applies to mainstream schools, special education and special schools for primary education. The government guarantees that an attainment test will always be available, even if problems should arise with one of the tests on the market. 

Attainment test for pupils who have skipped or repeated a year

Pupils who are repeating the last year of primary school must repeat the full programme. This includes retaking the attainment test. Sometimes pupils skip the last year of primary school and leave primary school early. These pupils can take the attainment test in group 7 but this is not compulsory. Pupils in group 7 of primary school may not take an attainment test to practice.

Date of attainment test

• Registering for an attainment test
  Between 1 October and 15 November schools can register for the attainment test they want to use. The test providers send schools information about registering for their test.
• Date of attainment test
  Pupils take the test in the first or second full week of February. In 2026 the dates for taking the attainment test on paper are 3 and 4 February. Schools can choose to administer the attainment test digitally instead. This must be done between 26 January and 15 February 2026. 

All tests are assessed beforehand by the Board of Tests and Examinations. Every year in October the Board announces which attainment tests schools can choose from.

Exemption from attainment test

Only in exceptional cases can a pupil be exempted from taking the primary school leavers attainment test. For instance if a pupil has severe learning difficulties or multiple disabilities. Or if a pupil has lived in the Netherlands for less than 4 years and does not have a sufficient command of Dutch.

Adapted attainment test for pupils with a disability

All pupils should have the opportunity to take the attainment test without obstacles. Several test providers offer one or more adapted versions of their test for pupils with special needs.

The types of adapted test available vary by test provider. Schools can contact test providers with questions about adapted tests.