Translated from Dutch. The Dutch page is the original. Read in Dutch
What is the NIO test? A guide for parents
The NIO (Nederlandse Intelligentietest voor Onderwijsniveau, a Dutch intelligence test for school level) is an intelligence test that some basisscholen (primary schools) use in groep 7 or 8 (the last two years of primary school, ages 10–12) to support the schooladvies (the school's recommendation for secondary school level). It does not measure what your child has learnt, but how they reason with words, numbers and shapes. The NIO is not compulsory and it is not a doorstroomtoets (the national test in groep 8).
In short
- The NIO is an intelligence test from the publisher Boom. It measures what a child is capable of, not what they have learnt.
- Six parts: three on language, two on maths and one on spatial awareness. Altogether it takes about 2 hours.
- The result (an IQ score and a recommendation) is a tool. School results count the most for the schooladvies.
- The NIO is not compulsory. The doorstroomtoets is.
What does the NIO measure?
The NIO is an intelligence test. That is different from a school test:
- A school test, such as the doorstroomtoets or the tests of the leerlingvolgsysteem (LVS, the school's pupil tracking system), measures what your child has learnt.
- An intelligence test such as the NIO measures what your child is capable of: how they reason, see connections and solve problems.
Usually the two results match well. Sometimes they don't. Then the NIO can show that a child can do more than their school results suggest, or less.
The six parts
| Part | What does your child do? |
|---|---|
| Synonyms (language) | Choose a word that means the same. blij → vrolijk |
| Analogies (language) | Choose a word that fits in the same way. vogel : nest = bij : korf |
| Categories (language) | See how two words belong together: type, part, cause, opposite. |
| Number sequences (maths) | Find the next number in a series. 3, 6, 12, 24 … → 48 |
| Arithmetic | Put the correct sign (×, :, +, −) in a sum. 6 … 3 = 18 → × |
| Nets (spatial awareness) | See which shape you can fold from a flat, unfolded pattern. |
Almost all questions are multiple choice: 20 to 30 per part, and 8 for nets. Each part has a time limit. Altogether it takes about 2 hours.
When and by whom?
- When: the NIO can be taken at any time during groep 8. In groep 7 it is meant for April to July. It can also be used in years 1 to 3 of secondary school.
- Why: usually the school asks for it, to help with the (voorlopig) schooladvies (provisional recommendation). Or to see whether your child will need extra support later on.
- Who: only a psychologist, educational specialist (orthopedagoog) or qualified test administrator may give the NIO and explain the result.
- Requesting it yourself: parents can also ask a psychologist or orthopedagoog to give the NIO, for example for a second opinion.
Should your child practise for the NIO?
The publisher is clear: no. The scores are compared with children who had not practised. A child who trains a lot may score too high. That may sound nice, but it can lead to a school that is too demanding. Also, your child already practises during the test itself: before each part, the children first do 2 to 12 example questions and they are allowed to ask questions.
What can help is to look calmly, once, at what the questions look like. Then the format and the time pressure will be less of a shock for your child. That is what our NIO example questions are for. Use them to get familiar with the test, not to train.
Make sure your child goes to school rested and relaxed. Tell them it is fine if they don't finish everything: that is very normal with the NIO.
Sources
- Boom: NIO, information for parents and teachers (pdf, in Dutch)
- Boom: intelligence tests for primary education (in Dutch)
Schoolwegwijzer is not connected to Boom. Our example questions are our own material.
Frequently asked questions
Is the NIO test compulsory?
No. The school decides for itself whether to use the NIO, usually as an extra tool for the schooladvies. Only the doorstroomtoets in groep 8 is compulsory.
Is the NIO an IQ test?
Yes. The NIO is an intelligence test and the result includes an IQ score. An expert, usually a psychologist or orthopedagoog, explains the result to the school and often to the parents as well.
What does the NIO result tell you?
The result shows which level of secondary education suits your child's abilities, from praktijkonderwijs (practical education) to vwo (pre-university education). It can also show whether your child will need extra support later on. The school takes this into account alongside your child's school results.
Can my child take the NIO if we don't speak Dutch at home?
Yes, as long as your child can read the words in the questions. The questions do not contain whole sentences, only separate, simple words.
What is the difference between the NIO and the doorstroomtoets?
The doorstroomtoets measures what your child has learnt in eight years (reading, spelling and grammar, maths) and is compulsory. The NIO measures your child's abilities (reasoning) and is not compulsory.
Want to know what the NIO looks like?
Look at example questions for all six parts. Free and no account needed.
NIO example questions