Cito Toets: A Guide to Dutch Primary School Exams
Children in the final year of Dutch primary school usually take a national assessment known as the Cito toets. This exam typically takes place in February and plays a role in shaping the advice given for a child’s secondary school pathway. While important, the Cito toets is only one part of the overall evaluation of a pupil’s abilities.
What Is the Cito Toets?
The Cito toets has been used in the Netherlands for decades as a standardized assessment for primary school pupils. Most children answer a large set of multiple-choice questions that test several core skills, including:
- Dutch language and reading comprehension
- Mathematics
- General knowledge (such as geography, history, and biology)
- Study and learning skills
In most schools, pupils complete around 290 questions. Some schools choose not to test general knowledge, in which case pupils answer a reduced number of questions.
Participation in the Cito toets is voluntary for schools, but the majority of primary schools in the Netherlands choose to take part. Pupils attending participating schools are generally required to sit the exam, with exceptions for children who have recently arrived in the country or who are expected to move into special or practical secondary education.
To prepare pupils over time, some schools also use an entry test (Entree-toets) in earlier years of primary education. This helps teachers identify learning gaps before the final primary school year.
Understanding the Results
Children cannot fail the Cito toets. Instead, results are converted into a score ranging from 500 to 550 points. The national average typically sits around the mid-530s.
A score around this average often supports advice for pathways such as:
- Theoretical VMBO
- Combined VMBO–HAVO schools
Higher scores may align with advice for HAVO or VWO, although the final recommendation always considers more than just the test result.
Cito scores are often included in a school’s official guide (schoolgids), which parents may consult when choosing a primary school. However, results should always be viewed in context rather than as a standalone measure of school quality.
What Do Children Think About the Exam?
Pupils generally recognise that the Cito toets is important, and many feel a mix of nervousness and motivation during the exam days. Language and mathematics are often described as the most challenging sections.
At the same time, some children appreciate the calm and focus that the exam environment brings. Others find the experience enjoyable because it allows them to demonstrate what they have learned over the years.
Overall, most pupils understand that the exam helps show their academic level and contributes to decisions about secondary education.
How Important Is the Cito Toets Really?
Although the Cito toets can influence secondary school placement, it is not the deciding factor. Teachers base their final advice on a child’s long-term performance, classroom behaviour, learning attitude, and development throughout primary school.
Research consistently shows that parents place greater trust in teacher recommendations than in the test score alone. Secondary schools may review Cito results during admissions, but they do not rely solely on them.
The organisation responsible for developing the test advises parents not to let children study intensively for the exam, as preparation can distort the true picture of a child’s abilities.
More Than Just a Test
Beyond guiding secondary school advice, Cito results are also used by education authorities to evaluate how well schools are supporting their pupils. Over time, adjustments have been made to ensure the test is fair and accessible to children from diverse backgrounds.
For families relocating to the Netherlands, it is important to understand that the Cito toets is best seen as a guideline, not a verdict. A child’s future opportunities remain flexible, and movement between education levels is common within the Dutch system.