When Should I Take My English Theory Exam in the Netherlands?

Every year, tens of thousands of internationals take the CBR English theory exam (BTH-E). A common question is:

“Is the English exam harder — and is there a best time of year to take it?”

Using a full year of CBR data (October 2024–September 2025), we compare the Dutch theory exam (BTH) and the English theory exam (BTH-E) and calculate how timing affects your expected cost of passing.

Here are the key findings:

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1. Is the English Theory Exam Harder?

Based on outcomes: yes — significantly.

Dutch theory exam (BTH)

• Average pass rate: 38.30%
• Most weeks: 36–40%, with peaks near 44.7%

English theory exam (BTH-E)

• Average pass rate: 31.93%
• Most weeks: 29–34%, with lows around 21.3%

Throughout the entire year, the English LOWESS trend line sits 5–8 percentage points below the Dutch one.

This does not mean the English questions are more complex. The gap likely reflects:

• A very different candidate group (mostly internationals)
• Preparation differences
• Language subtleties (English is not everyone’s strongest language, even among expats)
• Much smaller exam volume → more volatility week-to-week

But the bottom line remains:

The English theory exam behaves as harder because fewer candidates pass.

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2. Seasonal Patterns: When Do Candidates Perform Best?

Both Dutch (BTH) and English (BTH-E) follow the same seasonal wave.

Autumn–Winter

• Pass rates drift downward
• Consistently the weakest period

Spring (March–May)

• Clear improvement
• Dutch climbs toward 39–40%
• English rises to 35–38%

Late Summer

• Dutch stabilises around 40–42%
• English holds around 32–34%

Importantly:

There is no season where the English exam outperforms the Dutch one.
Even in strong months, the English curve remains clearly below the Dutch curve.

For candidates:

• If you can realistically handle Dutch, the Dutch exam gives you a better chance.
• If English is far stronger for you, BTH-E is still valid — but expectations should be realistic.

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3. How Big Is the English Exam Compared to the Dutch One?

The volume difference is massive.

Dutch BTH

• Total: 540,909 exams
• Average: ≈10,200 per week

English BTH-E

• Total: 35,133 exams
• Average: ≈660 per week

The Dutch exam is the highway.
The English exam is the niche lane used mainly by internationals.

This explains the more volatile English results — fewer candidates make the percentages swing more sharply.

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4. How Much Money Is Involved?

With the CBR fee of €48.75 per theory exam:

Dutch theory exam market

540,909 × €48.75 ≈ €26.37 million per year

English theory exam market

35,133 × €48.75 ≈ €1.71 million per year

Together: over €28 million per year spent on B-theory exams alone.

For driving schools, mobility policymakers, and training platforms, this is not small — and the English share shows the growing international footprint in Dutch mobility.

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5. Expected Cost: How Much Can You Save by Choosing the Right Timing?

Even though you cannot change the language gap, you can benefit from choosing the right season.

Using the standard economic formula for expected attempts:

Expected attempts = 1 / p
Expected cost = 48.75 / p

Let’s compare two realistic pass rates:

• Low season: 32% (0.32)
• High season: 40% (0.40)

Expected cost in weak season (32%):

48.75 / 0.32 = €152.34

Expected cost in strong season (40%):

48.75 / 0.40 = €121.88

Estimated savings if you take the exam in the strongest months:

€152.34 – €121.88 ≈ €30.46 saved

That’s a ~20% reduction in expected total cost, simply by taking the exam when pass rates peak.

This applies to both Dutch and English exam takers — but since English pass rates start lower, English candidates benefit even more from strong-season timing.

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6. What Should Students and Driving Schools Do?

For students:

• The English theory exam is harder on average — this is a structural pattern.
• Extra preparation, mock exams, and understanding question logic are crucial.
• Timing helps at the margin, but good preparation still matters far more.
• If you can manage Dutch reasonably well, the Dutch exam gives you better odds.

For driving schools:

• International students benefit greatly from targeted English theory support.
• Offering combined Dutch–English explanations could significantly improve outcomes.
• Seasonal planning (e.g., encouraging spring bookings) can meaningfully increase pass rates.

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Final Answer: When Should You Take the English Theory Exam?

Here’s the clear, data-based conclusion:

✔️ The English theory exam is harder and pass rates are about 6–8 percentage points lower than the Dutch exam.

✔️ Spring and late summer are the best-performing periods for both languages.

✔️ Taking your exam in a strong season could save you around €30 in expected costs.

✔️ But preparation matters far more than timing: The exam remains challenging all year.

Whether you choose Dutch or English, understanding these differences helps you plan realistically, budget smartly, and improve your chances of joining the minority who pass on the first try.

To explore more data-backed insights, visit our full report HERE