KNM stands for Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, or Knowledge of Dutch Society. It is a fixed part of the civic integration exam. The exam is administered by DUO. You learn facts, rules and situations that belong to daily life in the Netherlands: housing, work, education, health, politics and history. The topics that are tested are fixed, but the exact questions change per exam. That means you need real knowledge, and the best way to build it is with focused preparation. With the right approach, the KNM exam is very doable.
Key insights from this blog
- KNM is a fixed part of the civic integration exam and is administered by DUO
- The topics that are tested are fixed; the exact questions per exam are not
- Status holders take the exam at level B1; for family migrants and labour migrants, level A2 may still apply
- KNM is not only about knowing facts, but about understanding how Dutch society works
- Authentic Dutch material such as TV, radio and podcasts helps you understand the context; the exam level then feels easier
- Focused preparation with practice questions is the most effective way to get ready
What is the KNM exam?
KNM stands for Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij. It is part of the civic integration exam and is administered by DUO, not by the IND. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and scenario-based questions about daily life in the Netherlands. You take the exam on a computer at a DUO exam location.
The format and structure of the exam are fixed. That means you know what kind of questions to expect and which themes they cover. What you do not know in advance are the exact questions. They change per exam. Good preparation is therefore about building real knowledge, not about memorising fixed answers.
Do you want to register for the exam? You can do that via inburgeren.nl.
Who has to take the KNM exam and at what level?
The level requirement for KNM differs per target group. It is important to know which group you belong to, because this determines what you need to achieve.
Status holders
Are you a status holder (someone with a residence permit as a refugee)? Then you are required to take the KNM exam at level B1. The municipality draws up a personal integration plan with you and is your first point of contact. The three-year integration period starts when you receive the letter from the IND stating that you have a residence permit and must complete civic integration. Keep track of that start date.
The KNM exam at B1 is the same as the State Exam NT2 at B1. It is not a separate or easier version.
Family migrants, labour migrants and voluntary integration candidates
Do you fall outside the group of status holders? Then level A2 may still apply to you. You do not follow a municipal programme and the municipality is not your first point of contact. Check with DUO or the IND which level applies to your situation.
Which topics are covered in KNM?
KNM is about how Dutch society works. That is broader than a list of facts. You learn to understand how the Netherlands is organised and how people deal with each other here. The topics that are tested include: housing and the housing market, work and the Dutch labour market, education and parenting, health and care, politics and democracy, and the history of the Netherlands.
For each theme it is not only about separate facts, but also about situations. How does the Dutch healthcare system work? What do you do if you have a conflict with your landlord? What rights and duties do you have as an employee? These are the kinds of questions that come back in the exam.
Housing
You learn how the rental market works, what a housing corporation is, which rules apply to tenants and landlords and how you can buy or rent a home in the Netherlands.
Work and the labour market
You learn how the Dutch labour market works: what the rights and duties of employees are, how an employment contract works, what the minimum wage is and how social security works if you lose your job.
Education
You learn how the Dutch education system is built, from primary school to higher education, and which choices children and young people make along the way.
Health and care
You learn how healthcare in the Netherlands is organised: the role of the GP, the hospital, the pharmacy and health insurance.
Politics and democracy
You learn how Dutch democracy works: how elections take place, how the government is formed and what the role of the Senate and the House of Representatives is.
History and culture
You learn about important moments in Dutch history and about values that are central in the Netherlands, such as freedom of expression and equality.
Do you also have to follow a participation declaration programme?
For some integration candidates there is also an obligation to follow a participation declaration programme (participatieverklaringstraject). In this programme you learn more about the values and rules of Dutch society and you sign the participation declaration. In addition, some integration candidates must show that they know enough about the Dutch labour market. Whether these obligations apply to you depends on your situation. Ask the municipality (for status holders) or DUO.
How do you prepare for KNM?
Build real knowledge
The KNM exam requires real knowledge of Dutch society. The themes are fixed, the questions are not. That means you cannot get by with remembering a few standard answers. You need insight into how the Netherlands works.
Use authentic Dutch material
TV, radio and podcasts in Dutch help you understand that context. The point is not that you understand everything: precisely because authentic material is a bit harder than the exam, the exam level feels easier afterwards. Do not get frustrated if you do not follow everything. That is normal and part of the learning process.
The news in easy language (Het Journaal in makkelijke taal) is a good example of material that matches the level of the exam and the themes that are covered.
Practise with focused practice questions
Authentic material gives you background knowledge and context. Focused practice questions prepare you for the form of the exam: multiple-choice questions, scenarios and the way questions are phrased. Combine both forms of preparation for the best result.
Frequently asked questions about KNM
What exactly is the KNM exam?
KNM stands for Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij. It is part of the civic integration exam and is administered by DUO. It consists of multiple-choice questions and scenario-based questions about daily life in the Netherlands on themes such as housing, work, education, health, politics and history.
At what level do I have to take KNM?
That depends on your situation. Status holders are required to take KNM at level B1. For family migrants, labour migrants and voluntary integration candidates, level A2 may still apply. Check which level applies to you.
Are the KNM questions the same every time?
No. The format and structure of the exam are fixed, but the exact questions change per exam. The best way to prepare is to build real knowledge about the themes that are tested.
How long does the KNM exam take?
The KNM exam takes 40 minutes. You take it on a computer at a DUO exam location.
How can I register for the KNM exam?
You register via inburgeren.nl.
Will I see where I made mistakes after the exam?
No. The result from DUO does not show where you made mistakes or which themes you still need to practise. You only find out whether you passed or failed.
Do I also have to follow a participation declaration programme?
That depends on your situation. Some integration candidates are required to follow a participation declaration programme and must also show that they know enough about the Dutch labour market. Status holders discuss this with the municipality. Other integration candidates can ask DUO.
Start practising today
The KNM exam requires real preparation. At Inburgering Online you will find practice material that matches the themes and the form of the exam, with clear video explanations and direct explanations of the core structures you need. For 13.95 euros per month you have access to all the material you need to start your exam well prepared. Are you preparing for level B1 or working towards level A2? Then choose the page below that fits your level.
