# How the KNM exam works and how to think

URL: https://www.inburgeringklaar.nl/learn/knm/how-the-knm-exam-works
Course: KNM: Dutch society, theme by theme (https://www.inburgeringklaar.nl/learn/knm)
Level: A2 and B1
Publisher: Inburgeringklaar

> Understand the KNM format and use a simple 'first step' method to answer situation questions.

## Goals
- Know the format: 40 questions, 45 minutes, about 28 correct to pass
- Recognise the eight official KNM themes
- Use the 'who, what, first step' method on situation questions
- Spot wrong options that are too extreme or skip a step

## What KNM is

KNM stands for *Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij*: knowledge of Dutch society. It is part of the inburgering exams for people under the Wet inburgering 2021 (B1-route and onderwijsroute) and the Wet inburgering 2013. It is **not a language exam**. The questions are in simple Dutch, but you are scored only on whether you know how life in the Netherlands works.

There is **one KNM exam for everybody**. It does not matter whether your language route is A2 or B1: the KNM exam is the same.

## The format

| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Questions | **40** multiple-choice questions |
| Time | **45 minutes** |
| Pass mark | About **28 correct** (aim higher in practice) |
| Form | On a computer at a DUO exam location |
| Material | A photo or short video of a situation, then a question |
| Options | Usually 3 answers, one is correct |
| Dictionary | **Not** allowed |
| Register | In *Mijn Inburgering* (inburgeren.nl) with DigiD |

The pass mark and fee can change, so always check inburgeren.nl before you book. You can retake the exam if you fail, but you usually pay again.

## The eight themes

The law (Besluit inburgering 2021) lists eight themes. Every lesson in this course covers one of them, plus this introduction:

1. *Werk en inkomen* (work and income)
2. *Omgangsvormen, waarden en normen* (manners, values and norms)
3. *Wonen* (housing)
4. *Gezondheid en gezondheidszorg* (health and healthcare)
5. *Geschiedenis en geografie* (history and geography)
6. *Instanties* (organisations)
7. *Staatsinrichting en rechtsstaat* (government and rule of law)
8. *Onderwijs en opvoeding* (education and parenting)

## How the questions think

Most KNM questions are not about memorising dates. They describe a **person with a small problem** and ask what to do. The exam wants the answer a sensible, law-abiding resident would choose. Use three quick steps:

1. **Who?** Who is the person: a tenant, an employee, a parent, a patient?
2. **What?** What is the problem: money, health, a conflict, a form, a rule?
3. **First step?** What is the *normal first step*, or *which organisation* is responsible?

## Patterns that help

- **Talk first, escalate later.** With a neighbour, landlord or colleague, you first talk to the person directly. Only after that do you go to an organisation, mediator or the police.
- **Make an appointment.** For the doctor, the gemeente, a teacher and even friends: *een afspraak maken*.
- **The right organisation.** Benefits after losing your job: UWV. Taxes and allowances: Belastingdienst. Your address: gemeente. Residence permit: IND.
- **Emergency or not?** Life in danger: 112. Not urgent: normal phone numbers and opening hours.
- **Equal rights.** Answers that treat men and women, religions or sexual orientations differently are almost always wrong.

## Spotting wrong options

Wrong answers often:

- **skip a step** (calling the police about loud music the first time);
- go to the **wrong organisation** (asking DUO for rent allowance);
- are **too extreme** or rude (*Hij doet niets en wacht een jaar*);
- break a **rule** (working without a contract, hitting a child).

If two answers look possible, choose the one that is **legal, polite and practical**.

## Practice

Use the official practice exam on inburgeren.nl and the practice questions on this site. Read the explanation after every mistake: the same logic comes back many times.

## Useful Dutch
- **de eerste stap**: the first step
- **een afspraak maken**: to make an appointment
- **de instantie**: the (government) organisation
- **wat doet hij het beste?**: what is the best thing for him to do?
- **waar kan zij terecht?**: where can she go (for help)?
- **wat is waar?**: what is true?
- **verplicht**: compulsory
- **toegestaan / niet toegestaan**: allowed / not allowed
- **de regel**: the rule
- **aanvragen**: to apply for

## Worked example: A noisy neighbour: what is the first step?

*Tom woont in een flat. Zijn nieuwe bovenbuurman draait elke avond om 23.00 uur harde muziek. Tom kan niet slapen.*

**Wat doet Tom het beste eerst?**

A. Hij belt 112.
B. Hij praat rustig met de buurman.
C. Hij gaat verhuizen.

**Who?** Tom is a neighbour in a flat. **What?** A small conflict about noise, nobody is in danger. **First step?** In the Netherlands you first talk to the person yourself, calmly. So **B** is correct. A is wrong because 112 is only for emergencies where life or safety is at risk. C is far too extreme. If talking does not help, Tom could later contact the landlord, the gemeente or a neighbourhood mediation service (*buurtbemiddeling*).

## Common mistakes
- Choosing the police or 112 for a small problem that you should first discuss with the person.
- Thinking KNM is a language test and spending all your time on grammar instead of facts.
- Picking an answer because it sounds kind, even though it breaks a Dutch rule or law.
- Assuming the KNM exam is different for A2 and B1 learners: it is the same exam.

## Check yourself
1. Hoeveel vragen heeft het KNM-examen?
   A) 25 vragen
   B) 40 vragen
   C) 60 vragen
   Answer: B. The KNM exam has 40 multiple-choice questions and you get 45 minutes. You need about 28 correct to pass.
2. Nadia heeft een vraag over haar huurtoeslag. Ze weet niet welke instantie ze moet bellen. Wat is de beste eerste stap?
   A) Ze belt de politie.
   B) Ze wacht tot er een brief komt.
   C) Ze zoekt uit welke organisatie de huurtoeslag regelt (de Belastingdienst) en neemt contact op.
   Answer: C. The KNM logic is: find the responsible organisation and contact it. Rent allowance is handled by the Belastingdienst (Toeslagen). Waiting or calling the police does not solve anything.
3. Karim doet het KNM-examen. Hij leert voor het B1-niveau. Zijn vriendin leert voor A2. Wat is waar?
   A) Ze doen hetzelfde KNM-examen.
   B) Karim krijgt een moeilijker KNM-examen.
   C) Zijn vriendin hoeft geen KNM-examen te doen.
   Answer: A. There is one KNM exam for everyone. Your language level does not change the KNM exam.