Knowledge of Dutch Society
Pass your KNM exam, lesson by lesson
Short lessons in simple language about work, housing, healthcare, public bodies and the rule of law. After each lesson a short test: with two stars the next lesson opens.
How it works
- Choose a theme
- Read a short lesson
- Take the test: with two stars the next lesson opens
- Review what you have passed
The eight themes of the exam
The exam covers eight themes. Start wherever you like; within each theme the lessons open one by one.
- Work and incomeFinding work, your contract, benefits, discrimination at work and starting a business.
- Manners, values and normsMaking appointments, ways of living together, holidays and family occasions.
- HousingFinding a home, your rights as a tenant, energy and water, and sorting waste.
- Health and healthcareThe GP, the pharmacy, emergencies, health insurance and the deductible.
- History and geographyThe Golden Age, the colonial past, the Second World War, the provinces and public transport.
- Public bodiesDigiD, the municipality, tax and allowances, the police, legal help and insurance.
- Government and the rule of lawKing, parliament and government, the right to vote, fundamental rights and equal treatment.
- Education and upbringingThe school system, compulsory education, childcare, the role of parents and school costs.
Knowledge base
Subjects from the exam, explained calmly.
- The municipality and reporting changesYou report a move, a birth or a marriage to the municipality. Why that matters.
- The GP and the practice nurseThe GP is your first point of contact for health complaints, mental ones too. How it works.
- DigiDWith DigiD you log in safely to the government, your health insurer and other bodies. How to use it safely.
- King, parliament and governmentThe Netherlands is a democratic state under the rule of law with a king. How parliament, government and the courts work together.
- Compulsory educationChildren aged 5 to 16 must attend school, and from 16 to 18 must work towards a qualification. What that means for parents.
- Emergencies: 112 and the out-of-hours GPWhen do you call 112, and where do you go in the evening and at weekends when it cannot wait?
What is changing
Government responds to the interim evaluation of the Civic Integration Act
More time for people who work alongside their integration, and fewer people in the Z-route. The full evaluation follows in 2027.
The KNM exam now follows new attainment targets
More weight on knowledge instead of behaviour, including the Holocaust, women's right to self-determination and DigiD.
The new KNM attainment targets are published
Eight themes, four practical situations and, per theme, the knowledge you need. They apply since 1 July 2025.
How does the KNM exam work?
45 minutes on a computer at DUO, multiple-choice questions with pictures, in simple Dutch.
Read how the exam works →