From 1 February 2026, persons taking the social orientation course as part of the Flemish integration programme will need to score at least 70% to pass, up from the current 50%.
This was announced by Hilde Crevits, the regional minister for Integration, as she addressed the issue on Tuesday in the Flemish parliament.
The social orientation course is one of four components of the civic integration pathway in the northern part of the country.
The test for this course, introduced on 21 March 2022, consists of two parts: general objectives covering norms and values such as freedom of expression and respect for sexual diversity; and practical questions ranging from using public transport to understanding tenants’ rights and obligations.
Each exam features 41 questions selected from a pool of 400, and new arrivals undergo 60 hours of coursework before sitting the exam.
Currently, candidates need to score 50% to pass the exam. This requirement will be increased to 70% in February for the overall grade, which includes both the social orientation test and the teacher’s assessment.
For general objectives, the minimum score will be set at 80%, while for practical questions, it remains at 50%.
In 2024, 19,535 people took the social orientation course, with 90% passing the examination.
