KNM exam: the knowledge of Dutch society test explained

The KNM exam tests whether you know how everyday life in the Netherlands works: how to find a job and report sick, who to contact about rent or healthcare, how schools and municipalities work, and what is expected in social situations. KNM stands for Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij. In Dutch you will also see it described as the inburgeringsexamen KNM, because it is one of the parts of the civic integration exam.

Unlike the language parts, KNM is the same exam at A2 and B1. The questions are written in simple Dutch, so your Dutch needs to be good enough to read them, but the exam mainly tests knowledge and common sense about Dutch practice.

Feature	Details
Questions	40 multiple-choice
Time	45 minutes
Format	Each question shows a photo or short film of a situation, then a question with answer options
Where	DUO exam location, on a computer
Dictionary	Not allowed
Marking	By computer
Pass target	About 28 correct (the exact cut-off can vary per version)

Forty-five minutes for forty questions is a little over a minute per question, including watching a short film. Most people finish in time, but don't get stuck: answer, flag in your mind and move on.

The themes are set by law (Besluit inburgering 2021, art. 3.4), and the detailed learning objectives (eindtermen) are published in the Staatscourant.

Theme (Dutch)	What it covers
Werk en inkomen	Applying for jobs, contracts, payslips, reporting sick, UWV, benefits, taxes
Omgangsvormen, waarden en normen	Appointments and punctuality, equality, freedom of expression, discrimination, social customs
Wonen	Renting, rent allowance, neighbours, waste separation, registering at the municipality
Gezondheid en gezondheidszorg	GP (huisarts) as first contact, health insurance, emergencies, pharmacies
Geschiedenis en geografie	Key historical events, the provinces, water management, national holidays
Instanties	Which organisation does what: municipality, DUO, IND, Belastingdienst, UWV, police
Staatsinrichting en rechtsstaat	Parliament, elections, the constitution, rule of law, rights and duties
Onderwijs en opvoeding	Compulsory education, school types, parents' role, childcare, youth services

Our KNM guide explains each theme with key facts and key Dutch words.

These are original examples in the style of the exam, not real exam questions.

1. Werk en inkomen. Ahmed is ziek. Hij kan vandaag niet werken. Wat moet hij doen? (a) Een e-mail sturen aan de gemeente (b) Zijn werkgever bellen en zich ziek melden (c) Naar het UWV gaan. Answer: b. You report sick to your employer, normally on the first morning, following the company's rules.

2. Gezondheid. Sara heeft al een week last van haar rug. Bij wie maakt zij een afspraak? (a) De huisarts (b) Het ziekenhuis (c) De apotheek. Answer: a. The GP is the first point of contact; you need a referral for most hospital care.

3. Wonen. Er komt een nieuwe buurman naast Li wonen. Wat is in Nederland normaal? (a) Niets zeggen tot de buurman iets zegt (b) Even aanbellen of groeten en zich voorstellen (c) Een cadeau van veel geld geven. Answer: b. Introducing yourself briefly is common and appreciated.

Notice that the right answer is usually the practical, proportionate first step with the correct organisation. Try more in a free KNM practice test.

1. Learn the organisations. Many questions come down to "who do you contact?". Make a list: huisarts, gemeente, UWV, Belastingdienst, DUO, IND, politie, school, woningcorporatie.
2. Learn the vocabulary per theme. You cannot answer a question about huurtoeslag if you don't recognise the word. Use the word lists in the KNM guide.
3. Practise with situations, not facts alone. The exam shows a scene and asks what is normal or wise. Practise with photo-and-situation questions.
4. Take a timed mock exam. Do a full 40-question KNM mock exam in 45 minutes. If you score 30 or more consistently, you are probably ready.
5. Review mistakes by theme. If most errors are in one theme, such as staatsinrichting, focus there. The mistakes review groups what you got wrong.
6. Do the official DUO KNM practice exam on inburgeren.nl once before the real exam.

Many people prepare in two to four weeks of regular practice, alongside their language study. If you live and work in the Netherlands already, a lot of it will feel familiar.