KNS themes for the A1 exam abroad

Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving (KNS) is one part of the Basisexamen inburgering buitenland (civic integration exam abroad). It tests basic knowledge about life in the Netherlands. If you must take this exam, you need to pass it before applying for an MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, provisional residence permit). Check the IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, Dutch immigration service) exam-abroad page (External site, opens in a new tab) for exemptions and dispensation.

KNS is separate from KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, knowledge of Dutch society), the society exam taken in the Netherlands. For the other A1 parts, see the basisexamen abroad overview.

The real KNS exam has 30 questions and lasts 30 minutes. The official KNS practice page (External site, opens in a new tab) describes the format. You see a photo and hear a question read slowly in Dutch. You choose between two answers by clicking with the mouse. You need about 21 of 30 correct to pass.

A photo may show a doctor, a school, a polling station, a bicycle, a job interview or a family situation. Recognise the person, place or action in the photo, then choose the answer to the question. The photo book contains all KNS exam questions and answers.

Study the seven official KNS themes (External site, opens in a new tab) below with the Naar Nederland (To the Netherlands) self-study package (External site, opens in a new tab). Use the film and photo book to learn the situations.

• The Netherlands, geography, transport and housing: learn where the country is. Learn how low the land lies. Learn why water and dikes matter. Recognise bikes, trains, buses and cars, and houses and apartments that people rent or buy.
• History: recognise names and events such as Willem van Oranje (William of Orange), the Gouden Eeuw (Golden Age), the Second World War, remembrance and liberation. Use the people, photos and events in the film to guide your study.
• Government, politics and the constitution: learn about democracy, voting, basic rights and duties, police and courts. Recognise situations involving equality, freedom and respect for other people.
• The Dutch language: learn why Dutch helps with work, school, neighbours, appointments and official letters. The theme also covers ways to learn Dutch and education for adults.
• Parenting and education: learn about parents’ responsibility for children, school attendance, contact with teachers and childcare.
• Healthcare: learn about the huisarts (general practitioner, GP), health insurance, specialists and the consultatiebureau (child health clinic). Learn when to call 112 for a life-threatening emergency.
• Work and income: learn where to look for work and how to act at a job interview. Study words about taxes and income, and the idea that both men and women can work. For job-application vocabulary, include CV (curriculum vitae, résumé).

These distinctions help you choose the answer that fits the photo and question:

• Healthcare: your huisarts is the first contact for health questions and can arrange specialist care. For urgent care when the practice is closed, contact the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours GP service). Call 112 for a life-threatening situation.
• School: the film shows parents following their children’s progress and talking with teachers. Match the question to the role of the parent, teacher or child.
• Rights and duties: freedom and equality sit alongside duties and rules in public places. Check which right or duty the question asks about.
• Work: learn the behaviour shown in the material, such as arriving on time for an interview and applying politely. Practise job-application words such as CV alongside words about taxes and income.
• History: connect each person or photo to the event shown in the film. A name alone may not tell you which answer fits.

For healthcare after you arrive, use the guide to finding and using a huisarts. Thuisarts (health information from Dutch doctors) explains the GP’s role (External site, opens in a new tab). Rijksoverheid (Dutch government) explains urgent care (External site, opens in a new tab).

Use this sequence to study one theme at a time:

1. Watch that part of the Naar Nederland film in a language you understand, if available.
2. Watch it again in Dutch and listen for the words in the questions.
3. Group the Dutch words by topic, such as healthcare, school, work, government or transport.
4. Cover the answer in the photo book.
5. Describe the photo in simple Dutch.
6. Choose an answer.
7. Check it in the photo book.
8. Try the official DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, Dutch education service) KNS practice test (External site, opens in a new tab). Listen to the slow spoken questions and practise selecting an answer.

Keep these Dutch words with their photos. A translation alone leaves out the situation and the sound of the word:

• Healthcare and appointments: huisarts, afspraak (appointment), verzekering (insurance).
• School and work: school (school), kind (child), werk (work).
• Government: gemeente (municipality), politie (police), stemmen (to vote).
• Transport and housing: fiets (bicycle), trein (train), wonen (to live).

The official KNS practice test has five questions. It helps you practise answering on a computer, but the real exam looks different. After official practice, try Inburgering.org’s free KNS mock exam for extra practice.

Use the official photo book and current Naar Nederland pages. Study each answer with its photo and spoken question, rather than relying on an old unofficial question list. Choose the answer that fits the Dutch situation shown in the official material.

If a theme is still unclear, return to that part of the film and its photo-book questions. If you understand the themes, try the official practice test, then a full free mock exam. The five official practice questions show the task format; study the full photo book as well. If you are preparing for the whole A1 exam abroad, practise reading and speaking alongside KNS.

• KNS A1 exam format and practice guide
• Basisexamen abroad overview
• Free KNS mock exam