KNM Exam Explained: 40 questions, themes, and how to prepare
Plain-English guide to the KNM exam: 40 questions, 45 minutes, 28 correct answers, themes, registration, results, and practice.
- Author
- By Inburgering.org team (Editorial team)
- Reviewer
- Reviewed by Kirill Svavolia (Editorial review)
- Last updated
The Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM) exam is the Dutch society part of the inburgeringsexamen (civic integration exam). It tests practical choices in Dutch daily life: which office to contact, what rule applies, and what a normal first step is. The current exam has 40 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, and you should aim for at least 28 correct answers. DUO sends the result for knowledge exams within 8 weeks and also shows it in Mijn Inburgering.
Quick Answer: What Is the KNM Exam?
KNM is a computer exam about Dutch society. You answer everyday situation questions about healthcare, work, housing, school, government, rights, institutions, history, geography, and social norms. The best preparation is to learn what action a person should take in a normal Dutch situation.
Summary / Key Points
- KNM means Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, or Knowledge of Dutch Society.
- The exam is taken on a computer and lasts 45 minutes.
- The real exam format is 40 multiple-choice questions; use 28 correct answers as your pass target.
- The official law lists eight KNM subject areas, including work, housing, healthcare, institutions, education, and rule of law.
- You register for KNM in Mijn Inburgering, choose a date and place, and receive confirmation from DUO.
- As of May 2026, DUO lists KNM at 50 euros; some people under Wet inburgering 2021 have free attempts.
- After the exam, DUO sends the result within 8 weeks and shows it in Mijn Inburgering.
Format, Registration, Cost, and Result
These are the facts most learners need before booking KNM. Always check Mijn Inburgering for your own route, because your required exams depend on your law, PIP, and personal situation.
| Part | Simple answer | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Official DUO exam location, on a computer | Book the date and place in Mijn Inburgering if KNM is one of your required exams. |
| Questions | 40 multiple-choice questions | Each question is about a practical Dutch situation. Read the situation, not only the picture. |
| Time | 45 minutes | That is a little more than one minute per question, so do not spend too long on one question. |
| Pass target | 28 correct answers out of 40 | Use 28/40 as your practice target and answer every question before time ends. |
| Cost | 50 euros as of May 2026 | Some asylum-status holders under Wet inburgering 2021 get free attempts when the exam level matches the PIP rules. |
| Result | Within 8 weeks | DUO sends a letter and also shows the result in Mijn Inburgering. |
The 8 Official KNM Themes
The law lists the KNM subject areas. In practice, questions usually ask what a person should do, who can help, or which Dutch rule applies.
| Theme | What it usually tests | Simple way to remember it |
|---|---|---|
| Work and income | Contracts, applying for jobs, salary, benefits, taxes, UWV, KvK, insurance for self-employed people | Ask: am I an employee, unemployed, or running a business? |
| Manners, values, and norms | Being on time, appointments, equality, relationships, holidays, direct but respectful communication | Normal Dutch behaviour is practical, direct, and respectful. |
| Housing | Renting, buying, utilities, moving, meter readings, social housing, neighbourhood rules | For a home problem, ask: landlord, supplier, gemeente, or emergency number? |
| Health and healthcare | Huisarts, dentist, pharmacy, insurance, eigen risico, 112, child health checks | For normal illness, start with the huisarts; for danger, call 112. |
| History and geography | Holidays, provinces, water management, World War II, colonies, national symbols | Learn recognition: dates, maps, symbols, and why water matters. |
| Institutions | Gemeente, DUO, Belastingdienst, UWV, SVB, DigiD, ID, passport, toeslagen | First identify the right office. Many wrong answers are the wrong office. |
| State structure and rule of law | Voting, parliament, courts, police, equality, religion, the King, ministers | Know the difference between rights, police action, and a judge’s decision. |
| Education and upbringing | Compulsory education, school levels, DUO student finance, childcare, parental responsibility | Parents and schools both have duties; children cannot skip school freely. |
How KNM Questions Usually Work
- A question often starts with a small story: someone is sick, moving, working, studying, paying rent, voting, or contacting an official service.
- The picture gives context, but the answer depends on the normal Dutch action. Do not choose only because an image looks familiar.
- Many wrong answers sound possible but are the wrong first step. A hospital is not the first step for normal illness; the gemeente does not arrange every private matter; a bank does not handle government benefits.
- Learn Dutch signal words such as afspraak, huisarts, gemeente, toeslag, uitkering, huur, verzekering, schoolplicht, rijbewijs, DigiD, and eigen risico.
How to Prepare / Next Steps
- Study one theme at a time, but practise with mixed questions. The real exam does not warn you which theme comes next.
- For every mistake, write one short rule in your own words, for example: for normal illness, call the huisarts first.
- Make a contact list: gemeente, DUO, Belastingdienst, UWV, SVB, huisarts, apotheek, Juridisch Loket, woningcorporatie, emergency number 112.
- Use DUO’s official KNM practice exams first, then use extra practice only as training, not as official questions.
- Read the hard KNM topics guide if healthcare, benefits, housing, rights, or institutions still feel confusing.
- Use the free KNM summary and the KNM practice exam guide to practise full 40-question sets.
- Check the full inburgeringsexamen guide to see how KNM fits with language exams, MAP, ONA, and PVT.
Official Sources
Official source checked: May 2026.
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Kennisexamens - DUO describes KNM as a computer exam with themes and a 45-minute duration.
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Aanmelden examen - DUO explains that KNM, ONA and A2 language exams are booked in Mijn Inburgering.
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Oefenen - Official A2 and KNM practice exams from DUO.
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Uitslag examen - DUO result timing for knowledge exams and A2 language exams.
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Hoeveel kost inburgeren? - DUO fee table for KNM and other inburgering exams.
- Besluit inburgering 2021, Article 3.4 - Legal list of KNM subject areas.
- Regeling inburgering 2021, Articles 3.2, 3.4 and 3.7 - Legal rules for KNM fee, final objectives and computer assessment.
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