If you live in the Netherlands and have a civic integration obligation, you take several exam parts through DUO: reading, listening, writing and speaking in Dutch, and Knowledge of Dutch Society, known as KNM (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij). Some people also have a labour-market part, ONA. The level, A2 or B1, and the parts you need depend on the law that applies to you and on your personal plan, so read your DUO letter first. KNM is taken on a computer in about 45 minutes, with multiple-choice questions about everyday life in the Netherlands: housing, work, health care, education, values, politics and history. This is a different exam from the A1 exam you take abroad before the visa.
What you'll learn
- Who must take the exam and which parts it has
- What the KNM is: format, length and the themes it covers
- How it differs from the exam abroad and from the Staatsexamen NT2
- How to prepare: KNM questions by theme, a timed practice exam and the language skill practice
A sample question from the bank
Vraag: Naar wie gaat u eerst als u ziek bent en niet in gevaar? Antwoord: Naar de huisarts. (Whom do you go to first if you are sick but not in danger? The family doctor.)
Frequently asked questions
Are these the real KNM questions?
No. DUO does not publish its question bank. These are original Asagno questions on the same everyday themes, to learn the topics and the style.
Is the KNM in my own language?
The KNM is in Dutch, so your reading level matters. Practise with the Dutch text and use the English or Arabic help only to check.
Which level do I need?
It depends on the law and your plan (A2 or B1). Follow your DUO letter and ask your municipality.