Sproochentest pass rate: what INLL's official statistics show

The Sproochentest pass rate is 69% across every sitting from December 2008 to July 2022: 14,725 of 21,437 candidates present passed. In 2021/22, the latest year in INLL's published statistics, 2,068 of 3,096 passed, a rate of 67%. This guide gives the year-by-year table, explains how the rate is counted and shows what it means for your preparation.

The pass rate year by year

INLL's statistics report of December 2022 lists registrations, candidates present and candidates admitted for every period since the first test in December 2008. The pass rate is the number admitted divided by the number present.

Three readings of the table:

• About 7 in 10 candidates pass. Over more than thirteen years, 14,725 of 21,437 candidates present left with the certificate.
• The first sittings under the 2017 law reached 81%. INLL marks May to July 2017 with a reference to article 15 of the law of 8 March 2017, the article that still sets the pass rule. In that period 396 of 487 candidates present passed.
• Since September 2017 the rate has stayed between 63% and 74%. The five academic years add up to 8,533 passes from 12,419 candidates present, which is 69% again (our sum of the table rows). 2020/21 was the lowest year at 63%, and 2021/22 climbed back to 67%.

In 2021/22 INLL ran 106 Sproochentest sessions. 3,295 candidates registered and 3,096 sat the test, an attendance of 94%.

How the rate is counted

• The denominator is the candidates present. INLL publishes three columns, registered, present and admitted. In every period between 91% and 97% of registered candidates were present, and the pass rate is calculated on those who sat the test.
• The pass rule is the one in article 15 of the nationality law. You take two tests, speaking at level A2 and listening at level B1. You pass with at least half of the points in speaking. A speaking mark below half passes when the arithmetic average of the two marks, rounded up where needed, reaches half of the points. The pass mark and scoring guide works through the rule with examples.
• The law asks for these figures every year. Article 14 of the Grand-Ducal regulation of 22 July 2019 provides that the minister publishes each year a statistical analysis of the examinations, showing the pass rate and the failure rate. INLL, which organises the exam under article 15(3) of the law, posts its statistics report on inll.lu.
• INLL reports the other Luxembourgish exam on the same footing. In 2021/22 its results table shows 98 of 185 candidates present passing the Lëtzebuergesch als Friemsprooch exam (53%), against 67% for the Sproochentest.
• Retakes are unlimited. The INLL FAQ states that there is no limit to the number of attempts, and you register again once your previous results are out. Each registration costs 75 euros, as INLL and Guichet.lu state, and a candidate who passes can claim the full fee back, as the fee reimbursement guide explains.

More candidates every year

Registrations have climbed in every year of INLL's tables:

The first six rows come from INLL's December 2022 report and the 2022/23 row from the annex that the government published with its release for the 15th anniversary of INLL in May 2024. The same release counts more than 26,300 registrations since the first test in December 2008. L'essentiel reported on 16 September 2026, citing the ministers' answer to a parliamentary question, that the number of candidates rose from 4,784 in 2023/2024 to 5,267 the following year and to about 6,800 last year.

Registrations for the March 2027 sessions open on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 10:00 on MyINL, and the March 2027 registration guide gives the checklist to have ready before that hour.

What the pass rate means for your preparation

The rate counts people who sat the test, so the number that matters is your own score on the two papers. In 2021/22, 2,068 of the 3,096 candidates present passed and 1,028 did not (3,096 minus 2,068). The papers have fixed levels, A2 speaking and B1 listening, so the surest preparation is practice built on those two papers.

Use the pass rule to set your priorities:

1. Treat speaking as the paper that can carry you. Half of the points in speaking is enough on its own. Practise the interview and the picture description until a full answer comes without long pauses, with the speaking topics and picture description guide.
2. Use listening as your second route. A speaking mark below half passes when the average of both marks reaches half, so each extra listening point counts. The listening practice guide sets out a practice loop for B1.
3. Work on INLL's own material. The official sample test walkthrough covers the interviews, the photos and the listening answer sheet that INLL publishes.
4. Give yourself time. The study plan guide turns the official hour figures into a weekly schedule.

A pass is lasting. The INLL FAQ states that the certificate is valid for an unlimited period, and the naturalisation guide shows where the certificate fits in your application timeline.

Start by measuring where you are. The free level test takes 12 questions across A1, A2 and B1 in under 8 minutes, needs no account and gives you your level with a clear next step. MoienLab Full Access then gives you the complete practice route for 12 months with one payment and no subscription: all 57 lessons from A1.1 to B1, A2 oral practice, photo description, B1 listening and the timed mock exam.