KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society) Exam: Format, Themes, and Preparation
Guide to the 45-minute KNM computer exam: official themes, registration, results, cost, and clearly labelled non-official practice simulations.
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- By Inburgering.org team
- Reviewer
- Reviewed by Kirill Svavolia
- 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, which rule applies, and which action to take first. DUO publishes a 45-minute computer format organised around themes. Its public format page gives no fixed question count or raw correct-answer pass mark. This site's extra simulation uses 40 multiple-choice questions and 28/40 as a non-official practice target; DUO determines the official result. DUO sends the result for knowledge exams within 8 weeks and also shows it in Mijn Inburgering (My Civic Integration).
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. Prepare by learning which action a person should take under Dutch rules and public-service processes.
KNM at a Glance
- KNM means Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, or Knowledge of Dutch Society.
- You take the exam on a computer, and it lasts 45 minutes.
- DUO publishes no fixed question count or raw correct-answer pass mark for KNM. This site's 40-question simulation and 28/40 target are non-official practice only; DUO determines the official result.
- 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; some people under the Civic Integration Act 2021 (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
Your law, personal integration and participation plan (PIP), and personal situation determine which exams you must take. Check Mijn Inburgering before booking KNM. Use the final column in the table for the action linked to each format fact.
| Detail | 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. |
| Official question count | DUO publishes no fixed count | Treat this site's 40-question sets as non-official simulations, not the official KNM format. |
| Time | 45 minutes | Use the on-screen progress during the official exam and answer every question before time ends. |
| This site's non-official practice target | 28 correct in the site's 40-question simulation | Use 28/40 only to measure progress in this site's simulation. DUO publishes no raw pass mark and determines the official result. |
| Cost | €50 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 | Check whether the action respects appointments, equality, and other people's rights. |
| 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 | General practitioner (huisarts), dentist, pharmacy, insurance, compulsory excess (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 to recognise dates, maps, and symbols, and understand why water management matters. |
| Institutions | Gemeente, DUO, Belastingdienst, UWV, SVB, DigiD, ID, passport, toeslagen | First identify the office responsible for the task. |
| 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. Parents must ensure that children attend school during compulsory education. |
KNM Question Patterns
- 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 action that applies under Dutch rules. 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 (appointment), huisarts (general practitioner), gemeente (municipality), toeslag (allowance), uitkering (benefit), huur (rent), verzekering (insurance), schoolplicht (compulsory school attendance), rijbewijs (driving licence), DigiD (digital identity), and eigen risico (compulsory insurance excess).
KNM Preparation and Next Steps
- Study one theme at a time, then practise with mixed questions. The exam does not label the theme of each question.
- 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 the site's non-official 40-question simulations.
- 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: Knowledge exams - DUO describes KNM as a 45-minute computer exam organised around themes; the public format page gives no fixed question count or raw pass mark.
- 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.