Translated from Dutch. The Dutch page is the original. Read in Dutch
Doorstroomtoets results: what does the toetsadvies mean?
The result of the doorstroomtoets (the national test in groep 8, the last year of basisschool) is a toetsadvies (the secondary school level the test recommends), for example havo or vmbo-gt/havo. If it is higher than the voorlopig schooladvies (the school's provisional recommendation for secondary school level), the school must reconsider its advice and, as a rule, raise it. If it is the same or lower, the voorlopig advies stays the same. This is how it works, and this is what you can do.
In short
- The test gives a toetsadvies and shows which referentieniveau (national standard level) your child reaches in reading, spelling and grammar (taalverzorging), and maths.
- Higher than the voorlopig advies: the school must reconsider and, as a rule, raises the advice. If it does not, it must explain why.
- The same or lower: the voorlopig advies becomes the definitief advies (final advice). The test never lowers the advice.
- About 28 per cent of pupils score higher than their voorlopig advies. In 2024-2025, 71 per cent of those advices were raised.
What is in the results?
The school gives you a pupil report (leerlingrapport). It contains two things that matter:
- The toetsadvies. For example vmbo-kb, vmbo-gt/havo, havo or havo/vwo. This is the type of secondary school that suits your child, according to the test.
- The referentieniveaus for reading, taalverzorging and maths. 1F is the basic level that almost all children reach. 2F (language) and 1S (maths) are the target level. You can read exactly what this means in 1F, 2F and 1S explained.
Each test provider has its own score scale. So a number on its own says little. The toetsadvies, however, can be compared between the different tests: an independent board, the CvTE (the national board for tests and exams), makes sure of that.
Toetsadvies higher, the same or lower?
| Toetsadvies | What happens? |
|---|---|
| Higher than the voorlopig advies | The school must reconsider the advice and, as a rule, raises it. If the school keeps the advice as it is, it must explain why that is better for your child. |
| The same | The voorlopig advies becomes the definitief advies. |
| Lower | The voorlopig advies stays the same. The test never lowers the advice. |
In January, Daan gets the voorlopig advies vmbo-gt. His toetsadvies is vmbo-gt/havo. The school looks at the advice again and discusses it with his parents. The definitief advies becomes vmbo-gt/havo, unless the school can clearly explain why that is not in Daan's interest.
How often does the advice go up?
More often than many parents think. According to a letter from the minister to the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) (24 April 2026):
- About 28 per cent of pupils can, based on the test, do more than their voorlopig advies suggests.
- In 2024-2025, 71 per cent of those advices were actually raised. Before the current rules, this was less than 30 per cent.
- Children from families with little money or education more often get advice that does not match what they can do. So for them, the test is especially important.
From 2027, the scoring standards will be calculated differently, using all test data since 2018. The CvTE expects that, nationally, slightly fewer children will reach 2F for reading. It expects little difference in how the toetsadviezen are spread across levels.
What can you do as a parent?
- Ask for a meeting if the toetsadvies is higher. The school must involve you when it reconsiders the advice.
- Ask what the advice is based on: which tests, which observations, which conversations. You are always allowed to ask this.
- Look at schools at both levels if the advice could become a combined one, for example vmbo-gt/havo.
- Can't reach an agreement? Use the complaints procedure in the schoolgids (school guide).
- Good to know: the secondary school bases its decision on the definitief schooladvies. It is not allowed to set an extra entrance test.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Can the doorstroomtoets lower your child's advice?
No. If the toetsadvies is lower than the voorlopig schooladvies, the voorlopig advies stays the same. Because of the test, the definitief advies can only stay the same or go up.
Does the school have to raise the advice if the toetsadvies is higher?
The school must reconsider the advice and, as a rule, changes it. The school may only keep the advice as it is if raising it is not in your child's interest. In that case, the school must explain why and discuss it with you.
When will the results of the doorstroomtoets 2027 be available?
The school receives the results by 15 March 2027 at the latest. The definitief schooladvies follows by 24 March 2027 at the latest.
What is a good score on the doorstroomtoets?
Each test has its own score scale, so a number on its own says little without an explanation. Look mainly at the toetsadvies and the referentieniveaus: 1F is the basic level, 2F (language) and 1S (maths) are the target level.
What if I disagree with the definitief advies?
First talk to the teacher and the head teacher, and ask what information the advice is based on. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can use the school's complaints procedure. You can find it in the schoolgids.
Practise for the doorstroomtoets
Free practice questions for reading, taalverzorging and maths, with an explanation for every answer.
Practise the doorstroomtoets