Exam Format (Updated for 2026)
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Questions: 40 multiple-choice questions (changed from 45)
- Pass score: 28 correct answers (70%) – changed from 26/45
- Format: Computer-based, video scenarios
- Language: In Dutch
- Content: Practical situations about Dutch society
Major Change as of July 2025
Important: The KNM exam changed significantly on July 1, 2025:
- Old focus: Behavioral expectations (what you SHOULD do)
- New focus: Factual knowledge (HOW Dutch society WORKS)
- More emphasis on understanding institutions and practical procedures
Exam Structure
You’ll watch 40 video scenarios showing everyday situations in the Netherlands. For each scenario, you choose the correct answer from multiple options about:
- What institution to contact
- What procedure to follow
- What your rights and obligations are
- How Dutch systems work
Example Question: Video shows: Someone receives a letter from the Belastingdienst (Tax Office)
Question: “Wat moet je doen als je deze brief krijgt?”
A) Meteen betalen zonder vragen
B) De brief lezen en controleren of de informatie klopt ✓
C) De brief negeren
D) Naar de politie gaan
8 Core Topic Areas
1. History & Geography (Geschiedenis en Geografie)
2. Housing (Wonen)
3. Politics & Law (Staatsinrichting en Rechtsstaat)
4. Work & Income (Werk en Inkomen)
5. Institutions (Instanties)
6. Education (Onderwijs en Opvoeding)
7. Values & Norms (Omgangsvormen, Waarden en Normen)
8. Healthcare (Gezondheid en Gezondheidszorg) – MOST TESTED
Topic 1: History & Geography (Geschiedenis en Geografie)
Key Historical Events to Know
1. William of Orange (Willem van Oranje)
- The “Father of the Nation” (Vader des Vaderlands)
- Led the Dutch revolt against Spain
- Assassinated in 1584
- National anthem (Wilhelmus) is about him
2. The 80 Years’ War (Tachtigjarige Oorlog, 1568-1648)
- Dutch independence from Spain
- Ended with Peace of Münster (1648)
- Birth of the Dutch Republic
3. The Golden Age (De Gouden Eeuw, 17th century)
- Period of great wealth and cultural achievement
- VOC (Dutch East India Company) – first multinational corporation
- Famous painters: Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals
- Amsterdam became a major trading center
4. World War II (Tweede Wereldoorlog, 1940-1945)
- German invasion: May 10, 1940
- Rotterdam bombing: May 14, 1940
- Anne Frank and her diary
- Hunger Winter (Hongerwinter, 1944-1945) – severe famine
- Liberation: May 5, 1945
5. Important Dates
- May 4 (Dodenherdenking) = Remembrance Day – victims of war
- May 5 (Bevrijdingsdag) = Liberation Day – celebration of freedom
- April 27 (Koningsdag) = King’s Day – celebrate the King’s birthday
Geography Essentials
1. Living with Water
- 26% of Netherlands is below sea level
- Polders = reclaimed land from the sea
- Dikes = barriers to hold back water
- Delta Works = massive water management system (one of 7 modern wonders)
- Without dikes, half of Netherlands would flood
2. Provinces (12 total) Main ones to know:
- Noord-Holland (capital: Haarlem) – contains Amsterdam
- Zuid-Holland (capital: Den Haag) – contains Rotterdam, The Hague
- Utrecht (capital: Utrecht)
- Limburg (capital: Maastricht) – southernmost province
3. Three Main Cities
- Amsterdam = capital city (hoofdstad)
- Den Haag (The Hague) = government seat, where Parliament and King work
- Rotterdam = largest port in Europe
4. Water Management Terms
- Waterschap = Water board (local water authority)
- Polder = Land reclaimed from water
- Dijken = Dikes/levees
- Molens = Windmills (historically used to pump water)
Topic 2: Housing (Wonen)
Types of Housing
- Huurwoning = Rental property
- Koopwoning = Bought property (owned)
- Sociale huurwoning = Social housing (below market rent)
Key Institutions & Procedures
1. Social Housing (Sociale woningbouw)
- For people with low income
- Need to register with woningcorporatie (housing corporation)
- Long waiting lists in cities
- Income limit applies (check each year)
2. Renting (Huren)
- Huurcontract = Rental contract
- Huurprijs = Rent price
- Borg/waarborgsom = Deposit (usually 1-2 months rent)
- Opzegtermijn = Notice period (usually 1 month)
- Servicekosten = Service costs (utilities, maintenance)
3. Problems with Housing
- Huurcommissie = Rent tribunal (disputes about rent)
- Report problems to verhuurder (landlord)
- For urgent repairs: landlord must fix quickly
- Keep record of all communications
4. Energy & Utilities
- Gas, water, licht (GWL) = Utilities
- You choose your own energy supplier
- Energielabel = Energy efficiency rating (A-G)
- Slimme meter = Smart meter
5. Important Terms
- Inschrijven bij gemeente = Register with municipality (REQUIRED within 5 days)
- Huisregels = House rules
- VvE (Vereniging van Eigenaars) = Homeowners association
- Hypotheek = Mortgage
Topic 3: Politics & Law (Staatsinrichting en Rechtsstaat)
Political System
1. The Monarchy (Koninkrijk)
- King: Willem-Alexander (since 2013)
- Queen: Máxima
- Constitutional monarchy (king has limited power)
- King opens Parliament each year with King’s Speech (Troonrede)
2. Parliament (Staten-Generaal) Has two chambers:
- Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives) = 150 members, most important
- Directly elected by citizens
- Makes laws
- Elections every 4 years
- Eerste Kamer (Senate) = 75 members
- Elected by provincial councils
- Reviews laws
3. Government (Kabinet)
- Minister-president = Prime Minister (current: varies, check recent elections)
- Ministers = Government ministers
- Government needs support of Tweede Kamer majority
4. Elections (Verkiezingen)
- Tweede Kamer: every 4 years
- Gemeenteraad (municipal council): every 4 years
- Provinciale Staten (provincial council): every 4 years
- Waterschappen (water boards): every 4 years
- Voting age: 18 years
- Kiesrecht = Right to vote
- Stembureau = Polling station
5. Political Parties Netherlands has many parties (multi-party system):
- VVD (liberal)
- PVV (right-wing)
- CDA (Christian democrat)
- D66 (social liberal)
- GroenLinks (green/left)
- And many others…
Legal System
1. Article 1 of Constitution (Grondwet) “Allen die zich in Nederland bevinden, worden in gelijke gevallen gelijk behandeld.” = Everyone in the Netherlands shall be treated equally in equal circumstances.
- Most important article
- Prohibits discrimination based on:
- Religion
- Beliefs
- Political opinion
- Race
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
2. Important Rights
- Freedom of speech (but hate speech is illegal)
- Freedom of religion
- Right to privacy
- Right to education
- Right to vote (for citizens and some residents)
3. Legal Support
- Juridisch Loket = Legal aid desk (free legal advice)
- Rechtsbijstand = Legal assistance
- Police = Call 112 for emergencies, 0900-8844 for non-emergencies
Topic 4: Work & Income (Werk en Inkomen)
Finding Work
1. Job Search
- Vacature = Job vacancy
- Solliciteren = To apply
- CV = Resume
- Sollicitatiebrief = Cover letter
- Sollicitatiegesprek = Job interview
2. Employment Contract
- Arbeidscontract = Employment contract
- Vast contract = Permanent contract
- Tijdelijk contract = Temporary contract
- Nul-urencontract = Zero-hours contract
- Proeftijd = Probation period (1-2 months)
- Opzegtermijn = Notice period
3. Salary & Taxes
- Brutoloon = Gross salary
- Nettoloon = Net salary (after taxes)
- Minimumloon = Minimum wage (changes yearly, currently ~€2,200/month gross for 21+)
- Loonstrook = Payslip
Important Work Institutions
1. UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen) = Employee Insurance Agency
- Handles unemployment benefits (WW-uitkering)
- Sickness benefits
- Disability benefits
2. When to Contact UWV:
- Lose your job → apply for unemployment benefit (WW)
- Can’t work due to illness for long time → disability benefit (WIA)
- Need help finding work
3. Tax Office (Belastingdienst)
- All workers pay income tax
- Belastingaangifte = Tax return (filed annually)
- Toeslagen = Benefits/allowances (housing benefit, childcare benefit)
- BSN = Citizen Service Number (need for everything!)
4. Pensions
- AOW = State pension (at retirement age, currently 67+)
- Many have additional pensioen through employer
Workers’ Rights
1. Working Hours
- Maximum 12 hours per day
- Maximum 60 hours per week (average 48)
- Breaks required (30 minutes for 5.5+ hour shift)
2. Annual Leave (Vakantie)
- Minimum 4x your weekly working hours per year
- Full-time (40 hours/week) = 20 days minimum
- Vakantiegeld = Holiday allowance (8% of annual salary, paid in May)
3. Sick Leave
- Inform employer immediately
- Employer pays 70% minimum of salary (usually 100%)
- Can’t be fired easily when sick
- Arbodienst = Occupational health service
4. Dismissal (Ontslag)
- Ontslagvergunning = Dismissal permit (usually required)
- Notice period depends on years of service
- Kantonrechter = Judge (can approve dismissal)
- Ontslag op staande voet = Immediate dismissal (only for serious misconduct)
Topic 5: Institutions (Instanties) – VERY IMPORTANT!
DigiD
- Digital identity for online government services
- Need BSN to apply
- Apply at www.digid.nl
- Use for: taxes, benefits, healthcare, education
- Never share your DigiD with anyone!
Municipality (Gemeente)
What: Local government office
When to go:
- Register address (within 5 days of moving)
- Get ID card/passport
- Birth registration
- Marriage registration
- Death registration
- Request documents
Important terms:
- Inschrijven = Register
- Uitschrijven = Deregister
- Verhuizen = Move
- Gemeentehuis = City hall
DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs)
What: Education Executive Agency
Services:
- Student finance (studiefinanciering)
- Student travel card (OV-studentenkaart)
- Inburgering exams (integration exams)
- Student loan repayment
IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst)
What: Immigration and Naturalisation Service
Services:
- Residence permits
- Visa applications
- Naturalisation (Dutch citizenship)
- Asylum procedures
CAK (Centraal Administratie Kantoor)
What: Central Administration Office
Services:
- Healthcare contributions (own risk – eigen risico)
- Long-term care contributions
- Income-dependent care fees
SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank)
What: Social Insurance Bank
Services:
- AOW (state pension)
- Child benefit (kinderbijslag)
- Benefits for people living abroad
RDW (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer)
What: Netherlands Vehicle Authority
Services:
- Driver’s license
- Vehicle registration
- Driving exams
- Traffic regulations
Belastingdienst (Tax Office)
Services:
- Income tax
- Tax returns
- Toeslagen (benefits): housing, childcare, healthcare
CBS (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek)
What: Statistics Netherlands
- Collects data about Dutch society
- May send you surveys (voluntary participation)
Topic 6: Education (Onderwijs en Opvoeding)
School System Overview
1. Primary School (Basisschool)
- Age 4-12 (8 years)
- Group 1-8
- Mandatory from age 5
- CITO test in group 8 determines secondary school advice
2. Secondary School (Middelbare school)
- Age 12-16/18
- Three levels based on ability:
VMBO (4 years)
- Practical/vocational education
- After: MBO (vocational college)
HAVO (5 years)
- Higher general education
- After: HBO (university of applied sciences)
VWO (6 years)
- Pre-university education
- After: University (WO)
3. Further Education
- MBO = Vocational college (age 16+)
- HBO = University of applied sciences (Bachelor)
- WO = Research university (Bachelor + Master + PhD)
Important Education Terms
- Leerplicht = Compulsory education (age 5-16)
- Ouderavond = Parent-teacher evening
- Rapport = Report card
- Cijfer = Grade (1-10, 6+ is passing)
- Schoolregels = School rules
- Pesten = Bullying (strictly forbidden)
- Verzuim = Absence
- Huiswerk = Homework
Parenting & Child Services
1. Consultatiebureau (CB)
- Free health checks for babies/young children
- Vaccinations
- Advice about child development
- Visit at: 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months, then yearly until 4
2. Jeugdzorg
- Youth care services
- Help for family problems
- Protection for children in danger
3. Important Rules
- Children must attend school
- Physical punishment is forbidden
- School can call Veilig Thuis (Safe at Home) if child is at risk
Topic 7: Values & Norms (Omgangsvormen, Waarden en Normen)
Dutch Cultural Values
1. Equality (Gelijkheid)
- Everyone is equal
- Direct communication (saying what you think)
- No strict hierarchy in many situations
- Teachers, bosses called by first name
2. Freedom (Vrijheid)
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of religion
- LGBTQ+ rights (same-sex marriage legal since 2001)
- Personal choices respected
3. Tolerance (Tolerantie)
- Respect for different lifestyles
- Accept others’ beliefs
- But: intolerance is not tolerated!
4. Direct Communication
- Dutch people are direct
- Saying “no” is normal
- Giving honest opinion is appreciated
- Criticism is constructive, not personal
5. Planning & Punctuality
- Make appointments (afspraken maken)
- Be on time (op tijd zijn)
- Cancel in advance if you can’t come
- Agenda/diary is important
Social Expectations
1. Appointments (Afspraken)
- Always make appointments (doctor, friends, haircut)
- Even visiting friends: call first!
- Don’t just drop by unannounced
2. Greetings
- Shake hands when meeting
- Three kisses (alternating cheeks) with friends/family
- “Hoi” (informal) or “Dag” (formal)
- Always say goodbye
3. Birthdays
- Very important!
- Congratulate person: “Gefeliciteerd!”
- Also congratulate family: “Gefeliciteerd met je zoon!”
- Common to bring small gift or treat
4. Privacy (Privacy)
- Don’t ask personal questions immediately
- Close curtains at night
- Respect personal space
- Don’t look into neighbors’ windows
5. Environmental Awareness
- Recycle (glass, paper, plastic)
- Bike culture
- Energy conservation
- Separate trash properly
Discrimination & Hate Speech
Forbidden by Law:
- Discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation
- Hate speech
- Violence or threats
- Report to police if you experience discrimination
- Can also report to College voor de Rechten van de Mens (Human Rights Institute)
Topic 8: Healthcare (Gezondheid en Gezondheidszorg) – MOST TESTED!
Healthcare System Overview
1. Health Insurance (Zorgverzekering) – MANDATORY
- Everyone in Netherlands must have health insurance
- Choose your own insurance company
- Deadline: New residents must get insurance within 4 months
- Basisverzekering = Basic insurance (mandatory)
- Aanvullende verzekering = Supplementary insurance (optional)
2. Costs
- Premie = Monthly premium (~€130-150)
- Eigen risico = Own risk/deductible (€385 in 2026) – you pay first €385/year
- Children under 18: free insurance
3. Zorgtoeslag (Healthcare Allowance)
- Monthly contribution from government if low income
- Apply through Belastingdienst
- Need DigiD to apply
Primary Care
1. Huisarts (General Practitioner/GP) – MOST IMPORTANT
What: Your primary doctor
When to contact:
- You’re sick
- Need prescription
- Medical advice
- Referral to specialist
Registration:
- Must register with huisarts in your area
- Usually can’t just walk in – call for appointment
- Emergency: call huisarts first (not hospital!)
2. Huisartsenpost (GP Emergency Post)
When: Urgent medical problems outside office hours
- Evenings
- Nights
- Weekends
- Holidays Number: Call your huisarts number – automatically forwarded
3. Emergency Number: 112
When to call:
- Life-threatening situations
- Serious accidents
- Fire
- Ambulance needed
- Only for real emergencies!
Pharmacies
1. Apotheek (Pharmacy)
- Get prescription medicine (only with prescription from doctor)
- Can ask pharmacist questions about medicine
- Many medicines require prescription (not like some other countries)
2. Drogist (Drugstore)
- Non-prescription medicine
- Pain relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
- Cold medicine
- Vitamins
Specialized Care
1. Specialist (Specialist)
- Need referral (verwijzing) from huisarts
- Cannot go directly to specialist
- Examples: cardiologist, dermatologist, gynecologist
2. Hospital (Ziekenhuis)
- Emergency department (Spoedeisende Hulp/SEH)
- For emergencies: call 112 first
- For planned treatment: need referral
3. Mental Health (GGZ – Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg)
- Psychologist, psychiatrist
- Depression, anxiety, other mental health issues
- Need referral from huisarts
- Covered by insurance (after eigen risico)
Other Healthcare Services
1. Tandarts (Dentist)
- Not fully covered by basic insurance!
- Need supplementary insurance for dental care
- Children under 18: basic dental covered
- Register with tandarts (make appointment every 6 months)
2. Verloskundige (Midwife)
- For pregnancy care
- Most Dutch births assisted by midwife (not doctor)
- Hospital only if complications
3. Fysiotherapeut (Physical Therapist)
- For physical problems, injuries
- Need referral from huisarts
- Limited sessions covered by insurance
Important Healthcare Terms
- Recept = Prescription
- Afspraak = Appointment
- Medicijn = Medicine
- Klachten = Complaints/symptoms
- Verwijsbrief = Referral letter
- Ziekenhuis = Hospital
- Patiënt = Patient
- Behandeling = Treatment
- Verzekerd = Insured
Practical Tips for KNM Exam
1. Focus on “What to Do” Scenarios
The exam tests practical knowledge:
- Which institution do you contact?
- What is the procedure?
- What are your rights?
2. Priority Topics (Study These First!)
- Healthcare (most questions) – huisarts, 112, insurance, pharmacy
- Work & Income – UWV, contracts, rights
- Government Institutions – DigiD, gemeente, DUO, Belastingdienst
- Housing – renting, social housing, problems
3. Key Institutions to Memorize
| Problem | Contact |
|---|---|
| Sick | Huisarts |
| Emergency | 112 |
| Lost job | UWV |
| Moving house | Gemeente |
| Tax questions | Belastingdienst |
| Student finance | DUO |
| Residence permit | IND |
| Child health check | Consultatiebureau |
| Discrimination | Police or College voor de Rechten van de Mens |
4. Exam Strategy
- Read the question carefully
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers
- Think: “What would be the official/proper procedure?”
- Don’t overthink – usually the most logical answer is correct
5. Common Traps
❌ Going to hospital without calling huisarts first
❌ Not knowing the difference between 112 and huisartsenpost
❌ Not knowing you need DigiD for online services
❌ Not knowing mandatory registration at gemeente within 5 days
Study Schedule
Week 1-2: Healthcare & Institutions
- Learn all healthcare terms and procedures
- Memorize which institution handles what
Week 3-4: Work, Education, Housing
- Study employment rights and procedures
- Learn school system
- Understand housing rights
Week 5-6: Politics, History, Values
- Learn key historical events and dates
- Understand political system
- Study Dutch norms and values
Week 7-8: Practice Tests
- Take official DUO practice exams
- Review weak areas
- Focus on practical scenarios
Practice Resources
Official Practice: www.inburgeren.nl/examen-doen/oefenen.jsp
Helpful Websites:
- open-knm.org (bilingual study guide)
- inburgering.org (practice questions)
YouTube: Search “KNM exam 2025” or “Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij”
Important Vocabulary for Exam
Action Words
- aanvragen = to apply for
- inschrijven = to register
- afmelden = to cancel/deregister
- betalen = to pay
- bellen = to call
- contact opnemen = to contact
- melden = to report
Key Institutions (Know These!)
- Gemeente = Municipality
- Belastingdienst = Tax office
- UWV = Employee insurance agency
- DUO = Education executive agency
- Huisarts = GP
- Ziekenhuis = Hospital
- Politie = Police
Remember: The KNM exam tests PRACTICAL knowledge about how to navigate Dutch society. Focus on understanding procedures and knowing which institution to contact for each situation. The exam is in Dutch, so practice reading Dutch questions and scenarios!
