Most people preparing for the inburgering pour all their energy into the language parts and treat the KNM exam as an afterthought. Then they open the first practice test and freeze, because the questions are in Dutch and ask things no textbook chapter ever taught them, like which office issues a residence document or who you call when your landlord ignores a repair. The good news, and I say this after preparing a lot of learners for it, is that KNM is one of the most passable parts of the whole inburgering once you understand how it thinks.
This guide explains what the KNM exam is, how it is built and scored, every topic it covers, the full list of Dutch organisations you need to recognise, and worked examples of the exact question style so you walk in knowing what to expect. It is written for real learners, not for a brochure.
Quick answer: The KNM exam (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, Knowledge of Dutch Society) is a computer test you take in Dutch at a DUO location. Official DUO information confirms it lasts about 45 minutes and groups multiple-choice questions by theme (housing, work and income, health, and so on). Widely quoted figures put it at roughly 40 to 45 questions with a pass mark near 60 to 70 percent, but DUO does not publish a single fixed number, so always confirm the current format in Mijn Inburgering or with DUO before your exam. Most learners pass on the first try with a few weeks of focused, everyday-life practice.
What is the KNM exam?
KNM stands for Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, or Knowledge of Dutch Society. It is the part of the inburgering exam that checks whether you can find your way around daily life in the Netherlands. It is not a history test and not a trivia quiz. It is practical: can you work out where to go, who to contact, and what is normally expected of you in everyday Dutch situations.
Like the rest of the inburgering, the KNM exam is organised by DUO and taken on a computer at an official exam location. It is taken in Dutch, which is exactly why preparing for KNM and your language skills at the same time works so well. In my experience the learners who struggle with KNM are almost never the ones who do not know the society. They are the ones who cannot yet read the Dutch question fast enough. Fix the reading, and the rest usually follows.
KNM exam format: questions, time, and pass mark
This is the section where you have to be careful with numbers, because the internet is full of confident figures that do not all agree, and DUO deliberately keeps the public description general. Here is the honest split between what is official and what is commonly reported.
What official DUO information states: the KNM exam is a computer test that lasts around 45 minutes, taken at a DUO exam location, with questions organised by theme such as housing (wonen) or work and income (werk en inkomen). You answer questions for each theme.
What is commonly reported but not officially fixed:
| Detail | Commonly quoted | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | Around 40 to 45 | Sources vary; not a published fixed number |
| Question type | Multiple choice (A, B, C) | Consistent across sources |
| Time limit | About 45 minutes | Matches official info |
| Pass mark | Roughly 60 to 70 percent correct | Sources vary; confirm with DUO |
| Negative marking | None reported | Answer every question regardless |
About the videos. Older descriptions of KNM, and some study sites, say the exam uses short film clips: you watch a person in a situation and choose what they should do. Newer official DUO material describes the exam simply as questions grouped by theme and does not present video clips as a required feature. The format has been reworked over the years, so treat "the exam uses videos" as something that may or may not match the version you sit. Do not build your whole strategy around watching clips. Build it around understanding the situation described, because that is what every version of KNM has always tested. Check the current format on the official DUO inburgeren website and in Mijn Inburgering before your exam.
One practical point holds true whatever the exact count: there is no reported negative marking. You lose nothing for a wrong answer, so answer every single question, even the ones you are unsure about. A blank answer is a guaranteed zero. A guess between three options is a free one-in-three chance. That is my strongest tactical advice for the whole exam.
Which topics does the KNM exam cover?
The questions are spread across the parts of life every resident deals with. Different sources group them into five, seven, or eight themes, but the underlying content is stable. Expect topics such as:
- Daily life and customs: shopping, appointments, public transport, social habits, punctuality
- Work and income: contracts, payslips, taxes, benefits, and what a jobseeker does
- Education and childcare: schools, the role of parents, childcare, the consultatiebureau
- Healthcare and insurance: the huisarts, health insurance, pharmacies, mandatory own risk (eigen risico)
- Housing: renting, rights and duties, deposits, repairs, utilities
- Government and civic life: the gemeente, voting, official documents, the law
- Values and norms: equality, freedom of religion and speech, and how people are expected to treat each other
A large share of questions follow one pattern: a situation is described, and you choose the right organisation or the right action. That is genuinely good news, because it means you can prepare with a short, structured list instead of memorising a textbook.
The "who does what" list every KNM candidate should know
If you memorise one thing for the KNM exam, make it this. A big chunk of the exam is really asking a single question in different costumes: "where should this person go, and who is responsible for this?" Here is the fuller list I drill with learners, grouped so it is easier to remember.
Health and emergencies
- Huisarts (GP): your first contact for almost any non-emergency health problem, and the one who refers you to a specialist
- Apotheek (pharmacy): collects and dispenses prescription medicines
- 112: life-threatening emergencies (ambulance, fire, police)
- Zorgverzekeraar (health insurer): you are legally required to have basic health insurance; this is who you buy it from and claim with
- CAK: arranges certain care payments and can insure people who do not take out required health insurance
- Consultatiebureau / CJG (Centrum voor Jeugd en Gezin): free checks, vaccinations, and advice for babies and young children
- GGD (municipal health service): public health, vaccinations, health screening, and school health
Housing
- Woningcorporatie (housing association): rents out social housing; your landlord for a sociale huurwoning
- Huurcommissie (rent tribunal): steps in for disputes about rent price, service costs, or maintenance when you and your landlord disagree
- Gemeente (municipality): registration (inschrijven), and many local housing and permit matters
Work, income, and money
- UWV: unemployment benefit (WW), disability, and work-related support
- Belastingdienst (Tax Office): income tax and allowances (toeslagen) such as huurtoeslag and zorgtoeslag
- Sociale dienst (part of the gemeente): social assistance benefit (bijstand) when you have no other income
- Vakbond (trade union): supports and advises workers about pay, contracts, and conflicts at work
Government, civic life, and safety
- Gemeente (municipality): the BSN and registration, ID documents, marriage, and much local officialdom
- DUO: student finance and, of course, your inburgering and its exams
- Politie (police, non-emergency 0900-8844): reporting crimes and issues that are not urgent
Notice how a single situation could touch several of these. "My rent went up and I think it is too high" is the huurcommissie, not the police. "I lost my job" is UWV. "I cannot afford my rent" points toward the Belastingdienst (huurtoeslag) or, if you have no income at all, the sociale dienst. Practising the boundaries between these is worth more than any single fact.
Want someone to drill these with you in Dutch? Our teachers practise real KNM situations in every inburgering preparation lesson, in plain Dutch you can actually read on exam day. Book a free intake call to get started.
What KNM questions actually look like: worked examples
The single best way to lose the fear of KNM is to see the question style before exam day. These are illustrative examples in the real KNM style. They are not copied from the exam, but they show exactly how a situation-based question is built and how to reason through it.
Example 1 (health). "Fatima heeft al drie dagen hoge koorts en voelt zich steeds slechter. Wat doet zij?" (Fatima has had a high fever for three days and feels worse and worse. What does she do?)
- A. Zij belt 112.
- B. Zij maakt een afspraak bij de huisarts.
- C. Zij gaat naar de apotheek voor medicijnen.
Reasoning: It is not an immediate life-threatening emergency, so 112 (A) is wrong. The apotheek (C) only dispenses medicine a doctor has prescribed. The correct first step in the Dutch system is the huisarts (B). This "who is the first contact" logic drives dozens of questions.
Example 2 (housing). "Jan huurt een huis. De verwarming is kapot en de verhuurder doet niets, ook niet na twee brieven. Wat kan Jan doen?" (Jan rents a house. The heating is broken and the landlord does nothing, even after two letters. What can Jan do?)
- A. Hij gaat naar de politie.
- B. Hij schakelt de Huurcommissie in.
- C. Hij belt de Belastingdienst.
Reasoning: A broken repair and a passive landlord is a rental dispute, not a crime (so not the politie, A) and nothing to do with tax (so not the Belastingdienst, C). The Huurcommissie (B) exists precisely for disputes about maintenance and rent.
Example 3 (values and norms). "Op het werk krijgt een collega een leidinggevende functie. Zij is een vrouw. Een nieuwe medewerker vindt dat een man de baas moet zijn. Wat is juist in Nederland?" (At work a colleague is promoted to a management role. She is a woman. A new employee thinks a man should be the boss. What is correct in the Netherlands?)
- A. Mannen en vrouwen hebben gelijke rechten en kunnen dezelfde functies krijgen.
- B. Alleen mannen mogen leidinggeven.
- C. De werkgever moet een man kiezen.
Reasoning: Equality between men and women is a core Dutch value, so A is correct. Values questions almost always reward the answer that reflects equal rights, freedom, and mutual respect. When in doubt on a norms question, choose the most equal and least discriminatory option.
Dutch values and norms: what the exam expects
The values part of KNM makes some newcomers nervous, but the underlying message is consistent and easy to prepare for. Dutch society, as the exam presents it, is built on a small set of principles you will see again and again:
- Equality: men and women, and people of every background, religion, and orientation, have equal rights
- Freedom: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom to make your own choices about your life
- Self-reliance and participation: the expectation that you work, learn the language, and take part in society where you can
- Respect and solving conflicts with words: you discuss and use official channels rather than force
- Rule of law: the same rules apply to everyone, including the government
This is where I want to be clear about the difference between the exam and real life. In my opinion, you are being asked what Dutch law and Dutch institutions treat as the norm, not to give up your personal or religious views. On exam day, answer from the framework of equal rights and freedom, because that is what the questions test. What you believe privately is your own business. Keeping that distinction in mind stops a lot of unnecessary stress.
Common mistakes on the KNM exam
These are the patterns I see cost people points, in rough order of how often they happen.
- Underestimating it. "It is just common sense" is the most expensive sentence in KNM prep. The Dutch answer is not always your home country's answer.
- Reading too slowly. The content is easy but it is in Dutch. If you cannot read the question quickly, you run out of time. Prep the vocabulary, not just the facts.
- Confusing similar organisations. UWV versus gemeente, huisarts versus apotheek, Huurcommissie versus politie. Drill the boundaries.
- Leaving questions blank. With no reported negative marking, an unanswered question is simply a lost point. Always guess.
- Overthinking values questions. The answer that reflects equality and freedom is almost always the right one. Do not talk yourself out of it.
- Studying outdated material. Old practice sets can reflect a format or facts that have changed. Anchor on official DUO practice material.
A simple KNM study plan and timeline
For most learners, a few focused weeks alongside language study is enough, especially if you already live here and recognise many of the situations. Here is a realistic four-week plan you can compress or stretch to fit your deadline.
| Week | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and vocabulary | Learn the theme names and the "who does what" list. Note the Dutch word for each organisation and one line on what it does. |
| 2 | Situations and reasoning | Work through practice questions by theme. After each one, write down which organisation or value it tested and why. |
| 3 | Weak spots and values | Redo the themes you score lowest on. Do a focused pass on values and norms questions. |
| 4 | Timed mocks | Do full, timed practice exams so the real 45 minutes feels familiar, not frightening. Review every mistake. |
The habit that matters most is not the schedule, it is doing a little every day. Fifteen focused minutes beats a three-hour panic the night before, every time.
How KNM overlaps with everyday Dutch and the language exams
Here is the part people miss. KNM content overlaps heavily with everyday Dutch, so the time you spend on it pays off twice: you pass the KNM exam and you pick up the exact vocabulary that shows up in the reading, listening, and speaking exams too. The words for making a doctor's appointment, understanding a rental letter, or reading a payslip are KNM topics and language-exam material at the same time.
KNM sits alongside the language parts and the ONA exam (orientation on the Dutch labour market) inside the wider inburgering. If you are still unsure which parts you need at all, or whether you might be exempt, start with our complete guide to the inburgering exam and our overview of the Dutch integration exam and how to pass it faster. Also check whether you fall under the A2 or B1 level route, because the new inburgering law (from 2022) defaults to the B1 route while the old law used A2. For naturalisation, the required language level is still A2 in 2026; a move to B1 for citizenship has been proposed but is not in force.
More KNM sample questions by theme (with reasoning)
The three worked examples above cover health, housing, and values. Because the exam draws from more corners of daily life, here are further examples grouped by theme, still written in the real KNM style. They are illustrative, not copied from the exam, but they show how each theme phrases its questions and how to reason to the right answer.
Work and income, question 1. "Ahmed verliest zijn baan. Hij heeft eerder gewerkt en premies betaald. Waar vraagt hij een WW-uitkering aan?" (Ahmed loses his job. He worked before and paid contributions. Where does he apply for unemployment benefit?)
- A. Bij de Belastingdienst.
- B. Bij het UWV.
- C. Bij de gemeente.
Reasoning: Unemployment benefit (WW) for someone who has worked and paid contributions is arranged by the UWV (B). The Belastingdienst handles tax and allowances, and the gemeente only comes in for social assistance (bijstand) when there is no other income. Keep the UWV and gemeente split clear, because the exam loves this pair.
Work and income, question 2. "Maria krijgt haar loonstrook. Zij ziet dat er belasting is ingehouden. Wat betekent dit?" (Maria receives her payslip. She sees that tax has been withheld. What does this mean?)
- A. De werkgever houdt loonbelasting in en draagt die af.
- B. Maria hoeft nooit belastingaangifte te doen.
- C. De werkgever mag het geld zelf houden.
Reasoning: In the Netherlands an employer withholds wage tax from gross pay and passes it to the Belastingdienst, so A is correct. Reading a Dutch payslip (loonstrook) is a classic KNM and language-exam overlap.
Education and childcare, question 1. "De dochter van Chen is vijf jaar. Wat geldt in Nederland?" (Chen's daughter is five years old. What applies in the Netherlands?)
- A. Kinderen zijn vanaf vijf jaar leerplichtig.
- B. Naar school gaan is altijd vrijwillig.
- C. Alleen jongens moeten naar school.
Reasoning: Compulsory education (leerplicht) starts at age five, so A is correct. Answer C is discriminatory and clashes with the equality principle, which almost always makes it wrong on the exam.
Education and childcare, question 2. "De ouders van een leerling willen weten hoe hun kind het op school doet. Wat kunnen zij doen?" (A pupil's parents want to know how their child is doing at school. What can they do?)
- A. Zij mogen niets vragen aan de school.
- B. Zij gaan naar een oudergesprek met de leerkracht.
- C. Zij bellen de politie.
Reasoning: Dutch schools expect parents to be involved, and a parent, teacher meeting (oudergesprek) is the normal channel, so B is correct. This reflects the "participation and involvement" value the exam rewards.
Government and civic life, question 1. "Youssef verhuist naar een nieuwe stad. Wat moet hij doen?" (Youssef moves to a new city. What must he do?)
- A. Hij schrijft zich in bij de gemeente.
- B. Hij hoeft niets te doen.
- C. Hij belt het UWV.
Reasoning: When you move you must register (inschrijven) at your new gemeente, so A is correct. Registration at the gemeente is behind the BSN, ID documents, and much local officialdom, which is why it appears so often.
Government and civic life, question 2. "In Nederland zijn er verkiezingen. Wie mag stemmen voor de Tweede Kamer?" (There are elections in the Netherlands. Who may vote for the Tweede Kamer, the national parliament?)
- A. Iedereen die in Nederland woont.
- B. Nederlanders van achttien jaar en ouder.
- C. Alleen mensen die belasting betalen.
Reasoning: For national parliamentary elections you generally need Dutch nationality and to be eighteen or older, so B is correct. Note the nuance the exam sometimes tests: for gemeente (municipal) elections, long-term residents without Dutch nationality can often vote, but the Tweede Kamer is nationals only.
KNM Dutch vocabulary list to learn before the exam
Because the KNM exam is read in Dutch, the fastest way to speed up on exam day is to recognise the recurring words instantly. This is the core vocabulary I drill with learners, grouped by theme. Learn the Dutch word, the English meaning, and one line on what it does, and a large share of the questions become easy to read.
| Theme | Dutch word | English / meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | huisarts | GP, your first contact for non-emergency health problems |
| Healthcare | apotheek | pharmacy, dispenses prescribed medicine |
| Healthcare | zorgverzekering | health insurance, which is mandatory |
| Healthcare | eigen risico | own risk, the amount you pay yourself before insurance covers care |
| Healthcare | verwijzing | referral, from the huisarts to a specialist |
| Housing | huurwoning | rental home |
| Housing | verhuurder | landlord |
| Housing | woningcorporatie | housing association that rents out social housing |
| Housing | huurtoeslag | rent allowance from the Belastingdienst |
| Housing | huurcommissie | rent tribunal for rent and maintenance disputes |
| Work | arbeidscontract | employment contract |
| Work | loonstrook | payslip |
| Work | uitkering | benefit, such as WW or bijstand |
| Work | sollicitatie | job application |
| Work | vakbond | trade union that advises workers |
| Government | gemeente | municipality, where you register and get documents |
| Government | inschrijven | to register, for example after moving |
| Government | BSN | citizen service number you need for almost everything |
| Government | Belastingdienst | Tax Office, income tax and allowances (toeslagen) |
| Government | verkiezingen | elections |
Do not just read this table once. Cover the English column and test yourself from the Dutch, then cover the Dutch column and test yourself from the English. When these words are automatic, you spend your exam minutes reasoning about the situation instead of decoding the sentence.
KNM and the participation statement (participatieverklaringstraject)
KNM is one piece of a bigger picture, and it helps to see where it sits. Under the current inburgering law, your integration is more than a set of exams. A key part is the participation statement route, in Dutch the participatieverklaringstraject (PVT). This is not a written exam like KNM. It is a short programme run by your gemeente that introduces the core values of Dutch society, freedom, equality, solidarity, and participation, and ends with you signing the participation statement (participatieverklaring) to say you understand and respect them.
So the PVT and KNM are related but not the same. The PVT is about attending the programme and signing the statement at your gemeente, while KNM is a computer exam at a DUO location that tests your practical knowledge of how society works. They reinforce each other: the values you meet in the PVT are the same values the KNM values questions reward. Many learners find that having done the PVT makes the values part of KNM feel familiar rather than new. For the full map of every part, see our complete guide to the inburgering exam. Because the exact obligations depend on your route and start date, confirm your personal PVT and KNM requirements in Mijn Inburgering or with your gemeente and DUO.
KNM under the old law versus the Wet inburgering 2021
One reason online information about KNM contradicts itself is that there are two systems running side by side, and people describe whichever one they went through. Knowing which applies to you prevents a lot of confusion.
The old law (before 2022). Under the previous inburgering system, most people followed the A2 language route, and KNM existed as its own exam alongside the language parts and, for many, the ONA labour-market part. Candidates largely arranged and paid for their own preparation and could take out a DUO loan to cover courses and exam fees.
The new law, the Wet inburgering 2021 (in force from 1 January 2022). The current system defaults to the higher B1 language route, gives the gemeente a stronger role in guiding you, and builds in the participation statement route (PVT) and, for the B1 route, the labour-market orientation (ONA) as part of your programme. KNM is still part of the picture as knowledge of Dutch society, but it now sits inside a more guided route with a personal integration plan (the PIP) agreed with your gemeente.
Which one applies to you depends mainly on when you became obliged to integrate. If your obligation started before 2022 you generally continue under the old law; if it started from 2022 you fall under the new law. This also affects your A2 or B1 level target. For naturalisation the required language level is still A2 in 2026, and a proposed move to B1 for citizenship is a bill that is not in force. Because transition rules are detailed and personal, always confirm which law and which requirements apply to you with DUO before you plan your exams.
Booking your KNM exam: DUO, ID, and results
The exam-day practicalities are simpler than the format debate, but a few points are worth getting right so nothing trips you up. Note that specific fees, timings, and steps can change, so treat the figures below as a guide and confirm the current details in Mijn Inburgering or with DUO.
- Booking. You book the KNM exam yourself, generally through your DUO account (Mijn Inburgering / Mijn DUO) using your DigiD, and you choose an available date and exam location.
- Cost. Each exam part, including KNM, has a fee per attempt. The exact amount is set by DUO and can change, so check the current fee when you book rather than relying on an old figure. Under the current system many people can use a DUO loan to help cover inburgering costs, subject to the rules that apply to their route.
- Identification. Bring a valid ID document, such as your passport or residence permit, matching the details in your booking. Without accepted ID you will not be allowed to sit the exam.
- On the day. Arrive early, follow the location's rules on personal items, and take the exam on a computer at the DUO location. Do not bring notes; the exam is closed-book.
- Results. Results for the computer-based parts are typically communicated after the exam through your DUO account rather than on the spot. Timing can vary, so check Mijn Inburgering for your result and keep the confirmation.
Retaking the KNM exam: attempts and cost
If KNM does not go your way, it is not the end of the road, and it helps to know that before you walk in so a bad day does not feel like a disaster. You can retake the KNM exam. In practice there is no small fixed cap that people usually hit; the practical limits are your integration deadline and the fact that each attempt has its own fee, so repeated tries add up in both time and money.
That is exactly why solid preparation is worth it: passing on the first or second attempt is cheaper and less stressful than a string of retakes. If you do have to resit, treat the first attempt as free diagnostic information. Note which themes felt shakiest, redo those, and book again when you are genuinely ready rather than immediately. Because the number of attempts, any waiting time between them, deadlines, and the fee per attempt are all set by DUO and can differ by route and situation, confirm your own limits and costs with DUO before rebooking. If your deadline is close, it is worth talking to your gemeente or DUO early about your options rather than leaving it.
Your KNM exam-day checklist
- Confirm the current format and question count in Mijn Inburgering or with DUO
- Know the theme names and the "who does what" list cold
- Practise reading questions fast in Dutch, not just knowing the answers
- Have done at least two full timed mock exams
- Plan to answer every question, guessing when unsure
- Bring valid ID and arrive early at the DUO location
Frequently asked questions about the KNM exam
What is the KNM exam? KNM means Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, or Knowledge of Dutch Society. It is the inburgering part that tests whether you understand how daily life in the Netherlands works, from healthcare and housing to government and Dutch values.
How many questions are on the KNM exam and what is the pass mark? Official DUO information confirms the exam lasts about 45 minutes and groups multiple-choice questions by theme. Commonly quoted figures are roughly 40 to 45 questions and a pass mark near 60 to 70 percent, but these are not a single fixed published number, so confirm the current details with DUO before your exam. There is no reported negative marking, so answer every question.
Does the KNM exam use videos? Older descriptions mention short film clips, but newer official DUO material describes the exam as themed multiple-choice questions and does not present videos as a required feature. The format has changed over time, so check the current version with DUO rather than assuming clips.
Is the KNM exam hard? Most people find it very passable with focused preparation. The questions are practical, there is no reported negative marking, and the main risk is underestimating it or reading Dutch too slowly on the day.
What topics are on the KNM exam? Daily life and customs, work and income, education and childcare, healthcare and insurance, housing, government and civic life, and Dutch values and norms. Many questions ask which organisation handles a situation.
How should I study for the KNM exam? Use official DUO practice material to learn the real question style, build a "who does what" list of Dutch organisations, study a little each day, and finish with timed mock exams. Because KNM and the language exams overlap, preparing for KNM also strengthens your everyday Dutch.
Can I take the KNM exam in English? No. The KNM exam is in Dutch, which is why preparing for it alongside your Dutch lessons makes it far easier to read and answer the questions.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Exam content, question counts, and rules can change, and the exact format may differ from the figures described here. Always confirm the current KNM format and your personal obligations with DUO before your exam.