i expected to pass the reading with no problems, considering almost half of what i now regularly read is in dutch. and since i have lots of practice listening to dutch, i figured that'd also be no problem (assuming the multiple choice questions weren't full of vocabulary words i didn't know). writing was definitely harder, especially since i'd only begun to work systematically on grammar in the last several months - having a dictionary made it easier, but i wasn't all that certain about passing. and speaking was also a bit uncertain - i have lots of practice with speaking (thanks to the community) - but my pronunciation is problematic (i have problems with certain vowels and word accent) and i can be a bit lazy about correcting mistakes if i figure people will understand me anyways.
and slightly to my surprise, i managed to pass all four parts of the dutch exam. it gives me a healthy reassurance that it's going well with my dutch. here's the diploma to prove it:
[it basically just says that i filled the requirements of the exam - and yeah, i know i forgot to sign it :)]
although before i get too proud of my dutch knowledge, i should honestly acknowledge that one only needs to get a 70 percent to pass the exam (and i didn't overachieve on this exam). thus, i can proudly say that i now have a diploma that says i understand and can participate in at least 70 percent of what's going around me in dutch (and i have an excuse if i miscommunicate or miss out on what's going on 25 percent or so). good thing i'm part of a community that will continue to push me to use and improve my dutch, eh? otherwise, that 25 percent excuse might grow, especially when it's convenient for me :)
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