KNS A1 exam abroad: how to pass

If you need the basisexamen inburgering buitenland (civic integration exam abroad), use this guide to plan your KNS practice.

Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving (KNS) tests basic facts about life in the Netherlands. For example, you may need to recognise where to get medicine or who talks to a child’s teacher. You choose an answer instead of writing or speaking.

KNS is one of three parts of the A1 exam abroad. The other parts are Lezen (reading) and Spreken (speaking). If you need this exam, you must pass all three before applying for a machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf (MVV, provisional residence permit). The basisexamen abroad guide explains who needs it and who is exempt.

KNS covers these seven themes from Naar Nederland (To the Netherlands) (External site, opens in a new tab), the official film and self-study package. The official KNS programme (External site, opens in a new tab) describes their scope. Use the words in the last column to connect the Dutch questions with each theme.

For more examples by topic, use the KNS themes guide.

KNS is the society test abroad. Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM, knowledge of Dutch society) is a separate exam in the Netherlands. This table shows which exam matches each situation.

In KNS, you see a photo and hear and read a Dutch question. You choose the correct answer from two options, A and B. The official KNS practice page (External site, opens in a new tab) confirms 30 questions in 30 minutes.

Use this order for each question:

1. Look at the photo and identify the theme: travel, school, health, work, rules, history or home life.
2. Listen to the question. Notice wie (who), waar (where), wat (what), waarom (why), moet (must) or mag (may).
3. Read both answers and choose the one that fits the question and situation.
4. Click A or B with the mouse. If you are unsure, choose an answer and continue.

Thirty questions in 30 minutes gives you an average of one minute per question. Focus on the main meaning rather than translating every word.

In 2026, KNS costs €50. The full exam costs €150: €50 each for KNS, Lezen and Spreken. Follow DUO’s registration instructions (External site, opens in a new tab) in this order:

1. Register for the exam parts you need.
2. Pay the exam fee.
3. After you receive payment confirmation, contact the embassy or consulate to book your appointment.

The basisexamen registration guide explains the booking process in more detail.

You take the exam on a computer at a Dutch embassy, consulate or another listed location abroad. You can take all three parts on the same day or in separate appointments. A full exam visit takes about two hours, including instructions and breaks. Arrive early.

Bring all three items listed in the official exam-day instructions (External site, opens in a new tab):

• Your appointment confirmation.
• Your valid passport.
• A recent colour passport photo that meets the passport-photo rules.

KNS and Lezen are computer-marked. Trained assessors mark Spreken.

DUO sends your result within 8 weeks.

If you fail only KNS, register and pay again only for KNS. The other parts you passed stay valid until you pass the whole exam. After you pass all three parts, apply for your MVV within one year or you must pass the whole exam again. The basisexamen results and MVV deadline guide explains this rule.

For the family application itself, use the family reunification and MVV guide.

Start with the official Naar Nederland self-study package (External site, opens in a new tab). You can download it free. Its photo book contains 100 questions and answers; the exam uses 30 from this bank. Learn the answers together with their photos and Dutch wording.

Use these study methods alongside the official questions:

• Watch the film more than once. Start in a language you understand, then watch the Dutch version to learn the sounds.
• Study by theme. Group school questions, health questions and work questions separately.
• Make short Dutch word lists. Include huisarts, gemeente (municipality), school, werk, afspraak (appointment) and verzekering.
• Explain why each correct answer fits the photo or rule. Learn the answer itself rather than only the letter A or B.
• Practise 30 questions in 30 minutes. Review the themes you answered incorrectly afterwards.

The official KNS practice exam (External site, opens in a new tab) has five questions. It shows how to select an answer, though the real exam looks different. Then use the free KNS mock exam for extra timed practice or the free KNS study resources. These Inburgering.org resources are extra practice.

Use the published official questions for study. Keep questions recalled from your own exam private, as the exam rules require.

Prepare the other parts with the A1 Lezen guide and the A1 Spreken guide.

These seven original exercises cover one question per theme. Each has a picture description instead of a photo, a Dutch question and two answers. They are extra practice. Cover the English glosses when you test yourself; the exam uses Dutch. For these seven practice questions, about 5 correct matches the exam’s approximate pass mark.

Example 1: geography

Picture description: a map of Europe with the Netherlands beside Belgium and Germany.

Question: In welk werelddeel ligt Nederland? (On which continent is the Netherlands?)

A: in Europa (in Europe)

B: in Zuid-Amerika (in South America)

Example 2: history

Picture description: people place flowers at a war memorial.

Question: Wat doen mensen op 4 mei? (What do people do on 4 May?)

A: oorlogsslachtoffers herdenken (remember victims of war)

B: belasting betalen (pay tax)

Example 3: government

Picture description: a polling station with a ballot box and pencils.

Question: Wat doen burgers bij verkiezingen? (What do citizens do in elections?)

A: stemmen (vote)

B: een rijbewijs kopen (buy a driving licence)

Example 4: Dutch language

Picture description: an adult reads a Dutch book in the library.

Question: Waarom is Nederlands leren belangrijk? (Why is learning Dutch important?)

A: om mee te doen in Nederland (to take part in life in the Netherlands)

B: om de trein sneller te maken (to make the train faster)

Example 5: parenting and education

Picture description: parents sit at a table with a teacher at school.

Question: Wie praten met de leraar over het kind? (Who talks to the teacher about the child?)

A: de ouders (the parents)

B: de koning (the king)

Example 6: healthcare

Picture description: a patient sits in the waiting room of a huisarts.

Question: Naar wie gaat u meestal eerst als u ziek bent? (Who do you usually go to first when you are ill?)

A: naar de huisarts

B: naar de rechtbank (to the court)

Example 7: work and income

Picture description: a job applicant sends a cv using a computer.

Question: Wat gebruikt u vaak als u solliciteert? (What do you often use when you apply for a job?)

A: een cv (a curriculum vitae)

B: een buskaartje (a bus ticket)

The answer is A in all seven examples. For each one, explain why B does not fit. The Netherlands is in Europe. People remember victims of war on 4 May. Voters choose a candidate in elections. Learning Dutch helps you take part in life in the Netherlands. Parents speak to teachers about their children. You usually go to a huisarts first when you are ill. A cv describes your skills and experience. Practise the words and situations rather than memorising the letter.

If you score below about 21 of 30 in timed practice, return to the official questions for the themes you missed. If you reach that score, keep reviewing all 100 questions and check your Lezen and Spreken preparation before booking. If you need only a KNS resit, register and pay for that part alone. Once you pass all three parts, keep the one-year MVV application deadline in your plan.

• Basisexamen abroad guide: check which exam parts and rules apply to you.
• Free KNS mock exam: try a timed practice set.
• Basisexamen results and MVV deadline: plan your application after passing.