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Exam parts, scoring, costs and dates for each exam, with a link to the official source behind every fact.

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KNM · Knowledge of Dutch Society

The DUO computer exam about Dutch society that you take in the Netherlands as part of civic integration (Wi2013 and Wi2021).

Official website
Wait for a slot≥ 6weeksBook any free date in Mijn Inburgering
Exam parts1· 45 minKennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij
Cost€50per partAll parts €50
Result within≤ 8weeksNo expiry is published for results or the diploma.

KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society) (DUO · Cito) is one test: Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij. Cost: €50. Result: Within 8 weeks by letter, also in Mijn Inburgering. Checked 2026-09-25.

Dates, places and waiting times

No fixed dates: you book any free date and place in Mijn Inburgering (DigiD) and see the date immediately. You can change it up to 1 week before. source

  1. 1Bookany free slot in Mijn Inburgering
  2. 2Waitcan take 6+ weeks
  3. 3Examchange up to 1 week before
  4. 4Resultby letter within 8 weeks

Where

AmsterdamEindhovenRijswijkRotterdamUtrechtZwolle

DUO exam locations, Monday–Friday 09:00–16:30. Zwolle moves to Van Wevelinkhovenstraat 1 from 1 October 2026. source

Waiting & results

DUO: it can take more than 6 weeks before you can take the exam. No exact figure is published. source

Within 8 weeks by letter, also in Mijn Inburgering. source

Cost & retakes

€50. Wi2021 asylum status holders: first 2 attempts free. Refund if you cancel up to 1 week before. source

Book and pay again (€50). Wi2021 asylum status holders: first 2 attempts free. source

At a glance

WhoWi2013, and Wi2021 B1-route and onderwijsroute[2]
FormatComputer exam with different themes[2]
Duration45 min[2]
Themes8 legal themes (Besluit inburgering 2021, art. 3.4)[1]
Cost€50 per attempt[6]
WhereDUO: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Zwolle[9]
ResultsLetter within 8 weeks; also in Mijn Inburgering[11]
Current versionNew KNM exam since 2025-07-01[4]

Exam parts45 min in total

Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij45 min
Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM)Knowledge · Not stated on the official pages (unverified)
45 min
Format
On the computer; questions about different themes
Questions / tasks
Not stated on the official pages (unverified)
Task types
Not stated on the official pages (unverified); see the practice exams on inburgeren.nl
Scoring
Pass mark not stated in our sources; check your result letter
Allowed aids
Not stated in our sources; check the exam rules on inburgeren.nl[2]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

Results within 8 weeks

DUO sends you the result by letter within 8 weeks. You can also see it in Mijn Inburgering (log in with DigiD).[11]

2

Not happy with a decision?

You can file an objection (bezwaar) against a decision, or a complaint (klacht).[11]

3

Pass mark and scoring

The number of questions, question types and pass mark are not stated on the official pages we checked. Check your letters from DUO and inburgeren.nl.[2]

4

Each attempt costs €50

Every KNM attempt costs €50. For asielstatushouders under Wi2021, the first 2 attempts of each exam are free.[6]

What is really tested

Derived from the official task descriptions and level descriptions — not from leaked questions.

a. werk en inkomen — work and income

  • Legal theme a: “werk en inkomen” (work and income).
  • The name covers two areas: work and income in the Netherlands.
  • Since 2025-07-01 the exam tests knowledge more than behaviour: learn how things work in the Netherlands, not only what you would do.
  • Use DUO's new practice exams to see how questions on this theme look.
Source [1]

b. omgangsvormen, waarden en normen — manners, values and norms

  • Legal theme b: “omgangsvormen, waarden en normen” (manners, values and norms).
  • The name covers how people deal with each other, and shared values and norms.
  • New since 2025-07-01: what the right of self-determination of women in the Netherlands means.
  • New since 2025-07-01: knowing that antisemitism and discrimination are prohibited.
  • Since 2025-07-01 the exam tests knowledge more than behaviour: learn how things work in the Netherlands, not only what you would do.
  • Use DUO's new practice exams to see how questions on this theme look.
Source [1]

c. wonen — housing

  • Legal theme c: “wonen” (housing).
  • The name covers living and housing in the Netherlands.
  • Since 2025-07-01 the exam tests knowledge more than behaviour: learn how things work in the Netherlands, not only what you would do.
  • Use DUO's new practice exams to see how questions on this theme look.
Source [1]

d. gezondheid en gezondheidszorg — health and healthcare

  • Legal theme d: “gezondheid en gezondheidszorg” (health and healthcare).
  • The name covers two areas: your health and the healthcare system.
  • Since 2025-07-01 the exam tests knowledge more than behaviour: learn how things work in the Netherlands, not only what you would do.
  • Use DUO's new practice exams to see how questions on this theme look.
Source [1]

e. geschiedenis en geografie — history and geography

  • Legal theme e: “geschiedenis en geografie” (history and geography).
  • The name covers two areas: Dutch history and the geography of the Netherlands.
  • New since 2025-07-01: knowing what the Holocaust was, and that many Dutch Jews died in it.
  • Since 2025-07-01 the exam tests knowledge more than behaviour: learn how things work in the Netherlands, not only what you would do.
  • Use DUO's new practice exams to see how questions on this theme look.
Source [1]

f. instanties — organisations and authorities

  • Legal theme f: “instanties” (organisations and authorities).
  • The name covers the organisations and authorities you deal with in the Netherlands.
  • Since 2025-07-01 the exam tests knowledge more than behaviour: learn how things work in the Netherlands, not only what you would do.
  • Use DUO's new practice exams to see how questions on this theme look.
Source [1]

g. staatsinrichting en rechtsstaat — system of government and rule of law

  • Legal theme g: “staatsinrichting en rechtsstaat” (system of government and rule of law).
  • The name covers two areas: how the Dutch state is organised, and the rule of law.
  • Since 2025-07-01 the exam also checks that you know antisemitism and discrimination are prohibited.
  • Since 2025-07-01 the exam tests knowledge more than behaviour: learn how things work in the Netherlands, not only what you would do.
  • Use DUO's new practice exams to see how questions on this theme look.
Source [1]

h. onderwijs en opvoeding — education and raising children

  • Legal theme h: “onderwijs en opvoeding” (education and raising children).
  • The name covers two areas: education (school) and raising children.
  • Since 2025-07-01 the exam tests knowledge more than behaviour: learn how things work in the Netherlands, not only what you would do.
  • Use DUO's new practice exams to see how questions on this theme look.
Source [1]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels2
Who must take KNM

KNM is required under Wi2013 and under Wi2021 (B1-route and onderwijsroute).[2]

KNM is part of all learning routes

Under Wi2021, “KNM is onderdeel van alle leerroutes”. In the zelfredzaamheidsroute (Z-route) exams are not required: you follow at least 800 hours of language/KNM course plus participation, and get a certificate.[12]

Registration1
Register in Mijn Inburgering

Register in Mijn Inburgering with DigiD. It can take 6 weeks or more before you can take the exam. You get written confirmation 1 week before. You can change or cancel up to 1 week before the exam.[10]

Costs & payment3
Cost: €50

Each exam costs €50, including KNM. All exams together cost €250 under Wi2021 and €290 under Wi2013.[6]

Asielstatushouders (Wi2021)

The first 2 attempts of each exam are free; the gemeente pays the course and these attempts. You cannot borrow money from DUO.[6]

Paying yourself or borrowing

If you are not an asielstatushouder (for example a family migrant), you pay yourself or borrow from DUO (only for an accredited school). DUO decides how much, based on income. Wi2013 asielstatushouders can borrow up to €10.000.[7]

Good to know1
KNS abroad is a different exam

The basic exam abroad (at a Dutch embassy or consulate) has a part called Kennis van de Nederlandse Samenleving (KNS). That is not the KNM exam you take in the Netherlands.[14]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Bring valid ID

    For example a Dutch passport, ID card, driving licence, EU/EEA document or travel document for foreigners. Without valid ID you cannot take the exam and must register again.[8]

  2. 2
    False ID

    If you show a false ID, DUO may call the police.[8]

  3. 3
    Questions are confidential

    You may not take photos of the questions or copy them.[8]

  4. 4
    Exam locations

    Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle; Monday to Friday 9:00–16:30. All locations are wheelchair accessible. Zwolle moves between 2026-09-18 and 2026-09-30 and is at a new address from 2026-10-01.[9]

  5. 5
    45 minutes on the computer

    The KNM exam is done on the computer and takes 45 min.[2]

  6. 6
    Times: follow your letter

    Your exam time and when you get results are in the letters from DUO. How early you must arrive is not stated in our sources: check your letter.[10]

Recent and planned changes

  1. PlannedMid-term review Wi2021

    The cabinet announced more attention for the rule of law, that religious law is not above state law, and the Holocaust, and easier combining of paid work with integration. No start date was given.[15]

  2. In forceNew KNM exam

    New content includes what the right of self-determination of women in the Netherlands means, what the Holocaust was and that many Dutch Jews died in it, and that antisemitism and discrimination are prohibited.[4]

  3. In forceFrom behaviour to knowledge

    The focus moved from behaviour to knowledge. The new exam was made by Cito; DUO runs the exam. The previous revision was in 2015. Old practice exams from before 2025-07-01 may be out of date; DUO offers new (and old) practice exams.[5]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society)?

Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM) (45 min).

How much does KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society) cost?

€50. Wi2021 asylum status holders: first 2 attempts free. Refund if you cancel up to 1 week before. source

How do you register for KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society)?

No fixed dates: you book any free date and place in Mijn Inburgering (DigiD) and see the date immediately. You can change it up to 1 week before. source

How long do you have to wait for KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society)?

DUO: it can take more than 6 weeks before you can take the exam. No exact figure is published. source

When do you get the result of KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society)?

Within 8 weeks by letter, also in Mijn Inburgering. source

What happens if you fail KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society)?

Book and pay again (€50). Wi2021 asylum status holders: first 2 attempts free. source

Where can you take KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society)?

DUO exam locations, Monday–Friday 09:00–16:30. Zwolle moves to Van Wevelinkhovenstraat 1 from 1 October 2026. Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Zwolle. source

Official sources

Checked on 2026-09-25. Rules change — the official page always wins.

  1. [1]
    Besluit inburgering 2021 (art. 3.4) wetten.overheid.nl · page date 2026-04-02
  2. [2]
    Inhoud kennisexamens DUO / inburgeren.nl
  3. [3]
    Oefenen DUO / inburgeren.nl
  4. [4]
  5. [5]
    Nieuwsbericht: nieuw KNM-examen DUO / inburgeren.nl · page date 2025-04-03
  6. [6]
    Inburgeren betalen DUO / inburgeren.nl
  7. [7]
    Hoeveel geld mag u lenen DUO / inburgeren.nl
  8. [8]
    Regels voor het examen DUO / inburgeren.nl
  9. [9]
    Examenplaatsen DUO / inburgeren.nl
  10. [10]
    Aanmelden examen DUO / inburgeren.nl
  11. [11]
    Uitslag DUO / inburgeren.nl
  12. [12]
    Nieuwe wet inburgering Rijksoverheid · page date 2026-08-10
  13. [13]
    Leerroutes (Wi2021) DUO · page date 2025-04-02
  14. [14]
  15. [15]
    Kabinet publiceert tussenevaluatie Wet inburgering Rijksoverheid · page date 2026-01-28

Prepare with this in mind

Exam tips from EUpassway · editorial, not official rules

1Use the new practice exams

Practise with the new KNM practice exams on inburgeren.nl. Material from before 2025-07-01 may not match the current exam.

2Use the 8 themes as a checklist

Go through all 8 legal themes one by one and note which ones you still know little about.

3Learn facts, not only behaviour

The new exam focuses on knowledge. Make sure you can explain the new topics: women's right of self-determination, the Holocaust, and the ban on antisemitism and discrimination.

4Practise on a computer with a timer

The exam is on the computer and takes 45 min. Practise under the same conditions.

5Register early

It can take 6 weeks or more before you can take the exam, so register in Mijn Inburgering well before your deadline.

6Check your ID in advance

Without valid ID you cannot take the exam and must register again. Check the expiry date the day before.

Practise in exam formatMock sets and official sample examsOpen Exam training videosPlaylists for this levelOpen Exam vocabularyWord lists with audioOpen Official documentsSample exams, rules, word listsOpen

Practise each part — sample questions with answers

How to register: step by stepKey facts in one pageKNM examKNM: Work and incomeKNM: Manners, values and normsKNM: HousingKNM: Health and health careKNM: History and geographyKNM: Public institutionsKNM: Government and the rule of lawKNM: Education and upbringingExam datesCompare the exams

Study guides

Compiled with AI assistance from official pages (DUO, CvTE, IND and other official sources) · not yet reviewed by a teacher · the official page always wins