Groep 3–8 · twice a yearCito tests and the LVS: scores I to V explained
From groep 3 (age 6–7), your child takes tests from the school's leerlingvolgsysteem (LVS, pupil monitoring system) twice a year: in January–February and in May–June. The results show how your child is progressing and how they compare with children in the same groep across the Netherlands. A III means average, not a fail.
When are the LVS tests?
Two test rounds per school year. The school chooses the exact weeks.
Mid-year tests (M)
The first test round of the school year, for groep 3 to 8.
Results with the report
Many schools discuss the results with the school report (rapport) or in a parent meeting.
End-of-year tests (E)
The second round, at the end of the school year.
Growth visible
The report shows how much the score has grown since the previous test.
Which tests does your child take?
Spelling
- Writing down words the teacher reads aloud
- In higher groepen, verb spelling too
Maths (rekenen-wiskunde)
- Numbers, operations, time and money
- Often a picture or short story with the sum
Reading comprehension (begrijpend lezen)
- Reading texts and answering questions
- Telling main points from details
- Vocabulary: knowing what words mean
Reading fluency (technisch lezen)
- Reading quickly and accurately, tested with the DMT and AVI
What do I, II, III, IV and V mean? — illustrative example
Cito compares your child's score with all children in the Netherlands in the same groep, at the same point in the year. Schools use the I to V scale, or the older A to E scale. In both, the first letter or numeral is the highest. This slider is an illustration of how reporting bands work, not an official score-to-level conversion. Its positions and boundaries are examples; use the norms for the exact test and edition used by your school.
Do not enter your child’s test score here to interpret their report. Ask the teacher which norm group, test edition and boundaries apply. One result is one moment; progress over several years says more.
Skill score and level: two different things
The report often shows two results. The skill score (vaardigheidsscore) grows every year. The level compares your child with children of the same age, who are also growing.
Skill score
A number on one continuous scale from groep 3 to 8. A higher score than last time means your child can do more.
Level I to V
How the score compares with peers at the same moment. The level can stay the same or drop while your child is still growing.
Growth
Leerling in beeld also shows whether growth is above, at or below expectations, compared with children who started at a similar level.
More test guides
Sources
- Rijksoverheid: tests in primary school (in Dutch) (opens in a new tab)
- Cito (opens in a new tab)
Updated 12 October 2026. Something out of date? Let us know.