KNM topics for the inburgering exam

Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij tests everyday knowledge using A2 Dutch. Pictures help explain the situation. The official objectives cover eight themes; the examples below explain contacts, Dutch words and facts within those themes.

For the format, timing, cost, booking and results, use the KNM exam guide.

Choose the contact that matches the problem. For example, routine illness and urgent illness outside opening hours use different services. The table separates tax questions from benefit questions.

These contacts follow the KNM objectives (External site, opens in a new tab) and the services listed in the official sources below. For a healthcare situation you face yourself, use the guide to finding and using a huisarts.

The official themes cover everyday tasks and knowledge about the Netherlands. Use the examples to practise explaining why an answer fits. They are study examples, not a list of questions you will receive.

Work questions cover contracts, pay, job applications and benefits. Learn the differences between permanent and temporary contracts, part-time work and self-employment. Bruto (gross) pay is before deductions; netto (net) pay is after deductions.

A cv (curriculum vitae, a record of your work and education) belongs to a job application.

The Kamer van Koophandel (Chamber of Commerce, KVK) deals with business registration.

Check the work and reporting duties attached to a benefit you receive.

Many people value arriving on time and cancelling appointments in advance. If you miss an afspraak (appointment), contact the person or office. Customs can differ between groups, regions and generations.

Unmarried partners may live together, and same-sex couples may marry. Celebrations and symbols can have social meaning, including at birthdays, weddings and when someone passes school exams.

Housing questions cover renting, buying and arranging utilities. A woningcorporatie (housing corporation) rents homes, often social housing with rent rules. A makelaar (estate agent) can help you buy or rent.

Check whether you need your own energy contract or whether the landlord supplies energy through your rental agreement. When a question asks for a meterstand (meter reading), choose the number showing usage. The meter serial number identifies the meter itself.

Healthcare questions ask which service fits the illness. Contact your huisarts for routine complaints. Collect prescribed medicines from an apotheek (pharmacy), and choose your own tandarts (dentist). Use the urgent-care routes in the contact table when needed.

Eigen risico (deductible) is the first part of certain basic-insurance healthcare costs that adults pay themselves. It does not apply to huisarts care or basic-insurance care for children under 18. For example, a blood test can count towards the deductible even when the huisarts visit does not.

History questions cover national dates and symbols, the Second World War and the Holocaust, and Dutch colonial history. Geography includes provinces and the capital. Learn these facts alongside the everyday contact questions.

The Deltawerken (Delta Works) are an example of Dutch water management. Amsterdam is the capital; the government is based in The Hague. Practise recognising places and symbols in pictures as well as learning their names.

Institution questions ask which organisation handles a task. Use the contact table to separate taxes, allowances, work-related benefits, study finance, child benefit and legal help. SVB also administers the AOW (state pension).

DigiD (Dutch digital identity) lets you identify yourself online for government and other public services. Most people use it to log in to Mijn toeslagen (My allowances), where they apply for allowances or report changes. Other login methods are available. The guide to getting and using DigiD explains setup and login.

Government questions cover who makes laws, who enforces them and who decides criminal cases. Parliament makes laws together with the government. Police enforce the law; judges decide guilt and punishment in criminal cases. Voting is a right, and voting is optional.

People may choose their religion. The law requires equal treatment in equal cases and prohibits discrimination. Freedom of speech and religion exists alongside laws against violence and fraud, and rules about safety.

Education questions cover school types, attendance and parents’ contact with teachers. Leerplicht (compulsory schooling) starts in the month after a child turns 5 and normally ends after the school year in which they turn 16. Approved exemptions can apply.

The school types include vmbo (pre-vocational secondary education), havo (senior general secondary education), mbo (secondary vocational education) and hbo (higher professional education). DUO handles student finance. Use the Dutch school system guide for enrolment and school choices.

Kwalificatieplicht (qualification duty) applies to 16- and 17-year-olds without a startkwalificatie (basic educational qualification). This qualification is a havo or vwo (pre-university secondary education) diploma, or an mbo diploma at level 2 or higher. The duty ends when they gain that qualification or turn 18.

Young people who followed praktijkonderwijs (practical secondary education) are exempt. In voortgezet speciaal onderwijs (special secondary education), the exemption covers the arbeidsmarktgericht (work-focused) and dagbesteding (day-activity) programmes.

Parents must enrol children who fall under compulsory schooling and ensure they attend.

Use both the Dutch wording and the picture to understand a question. These words name different tasks or types of support:

• Afspraak: an appointment. If you are late or cannot attend, contact the person or office.
• Verzekering (insurance): cover for a risk. Zorgverzekering (health insurance) covers healthcare costs.
• Toeslag (allowance): help with costs, such as rent or childcare, through Dienst Toeslagen.
• Uitkering (benefit): income support. UWV or the gemeente may handle it, depending on the benefit.

Dutch basic health insurance is generally compulsory if you live or work in the Netherlands. Foreign students and people insured through some international organisations may follow different rules. Check whether you need Dutch health insurance (External site, opens in a new tab).

A login screen can show a DigiD task. A house, contract, meter or moving boxes can show a housing task. Read the question to decide what the picture means; a logo or object alone does not give the answer.

Check the details before choosing an answer. These mistakes can lead you to the wrong service or rule:

• Using an emergency response for routine illness. Check whether the question describes urgent danger or an ordinary appointment.
• Choosing a later step when the question asks what to do first. For routine illness, contact the huisarts before visiting a hospital specialist.
• Choosing the gemeente for every task. You contact a doctor, dentist, bank, employer or energy supplier for their own services.
• Confusing benefits. SVB handles kinderbijslag; Dienst Toeslagen handles kinderopvangtoeslag and huurtoeslag.
• Treating a right as permission to ignore other laws. Equality and freedom of religion apply alongside laws against discrimination and violence.
• Ignoring a change in circumstances. Moving, living together, earning more, losing work or having a child can affect benefits, registration or duties.

Start with DUO’s official KNM practice exams (External site, opens in a new tab). Then use Inburgering.org’s free KNM mock exam for extra practice. Our materials are practice, not official exam questions.

Use this order after a practice set:

1. Choose one theme from the questions you answered incorrectly.
2. Make a page with three columns: Dutch word, simple meaning and action or fact.
3. Explain each answer in one sentence without looking at the options.
4. Try a mixed set of 40 questions with a 45-minute timer.

The official KNM exam description (External site, opens in a new tab) gives 45 minutes for the exam. In a 40-question practice set, use the same benchmark: about 28 correct. Revisit mistakes even when you reach that score.

For extra review, use the free KNM study summary. For choosing and reviewing a practice set, use the KNM practice exam guide.

If you confuse organisations, practise the contact table. If the Dutch words cause mistakes, review those words before another set. If you miss history or rights questions, study the facts in those themes.

When you can explain your answers, try a mixed timed set. Use about 28 of 40 correct as the pass benchmark. Match each answer to the whole question: the first-contact method helps with everyday actions, while other questions need a fact.

• KNM exam guide
• Free KNM mock exam
• Free KNM study summary