Changes to the AKV test
On July 19, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (CIBG) announced that the AKV test will be replaced by language certificates as of January 1, 2024. There will be a transition period from July 17, 2023, to January 1, 2024,
This means that during the transition period:
- Babel will continue to administer the AKV test until Jan 1, 2024. Registration for the AKV test will remain possible.
- Are you already registered for the AKV test? Cancelling your AKV test is not necessary and may delay your BIG registration.
- The AKV test will remain unchanged until January 1, 2024, with these two exceptions:
- Section D of the AKV test for WO professions has been removed effective immediately
- The “Professional Expressions” (Beroepsinhoudelijke Uitdrukkingen) section has been removed effective immediately.
The situation after 1 January 2024:
- BIG registration requires a language certificate where your language level is demonstrated through an exam or assessment.
- A certificate from a Babel course is not valid proof of language level for BIG registration. Language level must be demonstrated by means of an exam or assessment. We administer the assessment and, in the event of a good result, issue the certificate. We can also help you prepare for the assessment.
- An AKV language certificate obtained before 1 Jan 2024 remains valid after 1 Jan 2024.
- The required language levels remain unchanged.
Key changes:
The key changes are categorized below. For any questions about the changes in policy or certificate requirements, please refer to CIBG. You can contact them through their customer contact center on 070-340 6600 or via email at erkenningdiploma@minvsw.nl.
| Test | Transition Phase: To 31-12-2023 | From 1 Jan 2024 |
| AKV-MBO | The Dutch language proficiency and English reading proficiency tests will continue as planned.
The “Professional Expressions” (Beroepsinhoudelijke Uitdrukkingen) section has been removed. |
A language test for healthcare professionals with four sections: reading, writing, speaking and listening (at CEFR level B1). |
| AKV-HBO | The Dutch proficiency and English reading tests will continue as planned.
The “Professional Expressions” (Beroepsinhoudelijke Uitdrukkingen) section has been removed. |
A language test for healthcare professionals with four sections: reading, writing, speaking and listening (at CEFR level B1). |
| AKV-WO (outside the EEA) | Test sections A, B and C will continue as usual.
Test section D has been removed. |
A language test for medical professionals with four sections: reading, writing, speaking and listening (at CEFR level B2+).
No more distinction between tests within or outside of the EEA. |
| Medical language test (EEA) | No changes. | A language test for medical professionals with four sections: reading, writing, speaking and listening (at CEFR level B2+).
No more distinction between tests within or outside of the EEA. |
Email list developments language certificates
We are currently developing new language tests for medical professionals at B2+ and language tests for healthcare professionals at B1 level. We will offer these from January 1, 2024. The B1 test (MBO professions) will be expanded to include a speaking skills component, in accordance with the new requirements of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Developing new tests takes time; this is a careful process. As soon as the new design is concrete, we will make further announcements. Would you like to stay informed about this? Sign up for the mailing list.
Webinar transition AKV/language certificates
Is all the information dizzying you a bit? Then don’t miss our upcoming webinar in collaboration with CIBG! We will talk about the AKV transition and about obtaining language certificates at Babel from 1 January 2024. You will get information, advice and the opportuniy to ask questions.
Work-related testing context
We understand the importance of language tests that are situated in the work context, as this ensures the validity and reliability of the test. This means that we continue to use work-related cases. By doing so, we will create a familiar and relevant context for candidates during the test, allowing the candidate to prepare in a focused and efficient manner.
Quality assurance of the language certificate
Babel’s language certificate is a reliable way to demonstrate that you have the right language level as a healthcare professional. We consider the quality assurance of our language tests very important and set high standards for them. In our view, the language test for healthcare professionals is a high-stakes language test, in which the validity and reliability must be guaranteed. We will maintain going forward as well.