Inburgering · Updated 2026-10-19
KNM exam results: pass mark, when you get your result, and what to do if you fail
You've sat the Knowledge of Dutch Society exam (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij, KNM) and now you're waiting. Three questions come up every time: how many answers do I need right, when will I hear, and what happens if I fail? This guide answers them using only what DUO, the exam regulations and the Dutch government publish. Where an official source gives no number, we say so. At the end there's a calm resit plan, because a failed KNM attempt is common and fixable.
Unofficial study guide by Lotus & Tulip. We are not affiliated with DUO, Cito or the Dutch government. Rules, fees and waiting times can change. Always check inburgeren.nl and your own file in Mijn Inburgering. Nothing here is legal advice.
On this page: Which law applies · How KNM is scored · The pass mark · When results arrive · How long a pass is valid · If you fail: resits · Your deadline · Resit study plan · FAQ · Sources
First: which law are you under?
Several answers below depend on the law that applies to you. Anyone who became obliged to integrate (inburgeringsplichtig) from 1 January 2022 falls under the Wet inburgering 2021 (Wi2021).[11] People who became obliged before that date are usually under the Wet inburgering 2013 (Wi2013). The KNM exam is the same computer exam under both, but free attempts, extensions, exemptions and fines differ. Mijn Inburgering shows which law and which exams apply to you.[2]
How the KNM exam is scored
KNM is a computer exam. It is grouped by theme (for example wonen or werk en inkomen) and lasts 45 minutes.[2] DUO's official practice exam states that the real KNM exam has 40 questions, the same number as the practice exam.[1] Since 1 July 2025 the questions follow the revised exam objectives across eight themes.[12] (Our themes guide covers what each one includes.)
The exam regulations (examenreglement, November 2025) add details most guides skip:[3]
- A computer marks it, like Listening and Reading.
- The result is "geslaagd" or "niet geslaagd" (passed or not), plus a grade (cijfer).
- You don't need every answer right. The regulations say so explicitly.
- The pass/fail line is a cesuur set by the Minister, not something adjusted on the day.
- You can't inspect your marked exam, so you won't see which questions you got wrong. That shapes how you plan a resit.
The pass mark: what DUO actually says
On the final screen of DUO's free Oefenexamen KNM 1 (2025), DUO writes (in Dutch) that the practice exam has 40 questions and that you need at least 28 correct to pass it. It then adds a caution: passing the practice exam gives you a good chance of passing the real exam, but it is no guarantee.[1]
For the real exam, the regulations say only that the pass mark is a cesuur set by the Minister.[3] DUO's public KNM and results pages print no separate figure.[2][4] So:
- Treat 28 out of 40 (70%) as the official practice benchmark, the best number DUO publishes.
- Don't aim for exactly 28. Aim for a margin, say 32+ on the official practice exams, so a few unfamiliar questions don't sink you.
- Be wary of anyone selling the "real" cut-off or "real" questions. Exam questions are confidential; candidates sign a promise not to share them.[3]
When and how you get your result
DUO's rule for knowledge exams (KNM) and A2 language exams: you get the result by letter within 8 weeks, and you can also see it in Mijn Inburgering.[4] The regulations repeat this: results come "as soon as possible, but within 8 weeks" after the exam.[3] You log in to Mijn Inburgering with DigiD (SMS check or the DigiD app).[5]
Two practical notes:
- 8 weeks is the maximum. If 8 weeks pass with nothing in Mijn Inburgering or the post, that's the time to contact DUO.
- Speaking and Writing A2 are currently slower than KNM. In a notice dated 31 July 2026, DUO said results for Spreken A2 and Schrijven A2 can take up to 16 weeks because of high demand. People whose deadline is at risk because of the delay get an automatic 6-month extension, and DUO sends them a letter.[13] That notice is about Speaking and Writing, not KNM.
How long is a KNM pass valid?
Neither DUO's results page nor the exam regulations mention any expiry date for a passed KNM exam taken in the Netherlands. The regulations say DUO keeps exam results for 60 years in its information system.[3] DUO's rules on extra time and fines also count the exams you have already passed (gehaald).[8][9] So a KNM pass keeps counting while you work on the other parts.
Don't confuse this with the exam abroad. The basisexamen inburgering buitenland (taken before you move, for an mvv visa) has its own knowledge part. According to the IND, passed parts of that exam stay valid until you pass the whole exam, and the full result is then valid for 1 year for your mvv application.[14] That rule is about the visa exam abroad, not KNM in the Netherlands. If you need an old result for something specific, such as naturalisation, check with DUO or the IND.
If you fail: how resits work
A "niet geslaagd" for KNM means you take KNM again. It doesn't cancel exams you've already passed.
- Register again in Mijn Inburgering. You choose a date and location there. If you can't log in, DUO has a paper registration form.[5]
- Expect to pay €50 per KNM attempt, unless you have a free attempt left.[6] Under Wi2021, asylum status holders get the first 2 attempts of each exam free, but not if they sit it at a lower level than their PIP says. After those two, extra attempts must be paid, and you can't borrow from DUO for them.[6] Details in our KNM cost and booking guide.
- Plan for the waiting time. DUO warns that it can take more than 6 weeks before you can sit an exam after registering.[5] Add up to 8 weeks for the result, and in the worst case a failed attempt costs several months.
- Protect your attempt. You can change the date or place, or cancel, until 1 week before the exam. Cancel by then and you get your money back.[5] The regulations add that if you had a free attempt, it is kept when you cancel on time. If you remove a registration later (possible until one day before), the fee isn't refunded and a free attempt is lost.[3]
- Missed the exam? Then you pay again. If an exceptional situation stopped you changing the date in time, you can ask DUO for a free exam, with evidence, within 10 days of the exam date.[3]
And never risk fraud (a hidden phone, photographing questions): DUO can declare the exam invalid and bar you from exams for 3 months.[3]
What a fail means for your inburgering deadline
Under both laws you generally have 3 years to complete your integration. Sometimes you can get extra time.[7] DUO only fines after your integration term has ended,[15] so one failed KNM attempt is not a fine in itself. It matters because time passes. The high-level picture is below; your own letters from DUO and your municipality take priority.
Under the Wet inburgering 2021
- Extra time is possible for reasons such as illness, a new baby, a death in the family, homelessness, a literacy course, or problems with the municipality or school.[7]
- On the B1 route there is an automatic 6-month extension in some cases. Conditions include: your term started at least 2.5 years ago, you passed at least 2 of the 4 language exams, you passed KNM, you followed the required course hours, and you finished PVT and MAP.[8] So passing KNM can itself help you qualify for extra time.
- If you're late without an extension, DUO can fine you. The fine for not finishing your learning route is never more than €1,000, and DUO weighs your route, course hours, attempts and the parts you have passed. You still have to finish integrating, and you get extra time afterwards (on the B1 route, from 2 years with no exams passed down to 6 months with 3 or 4 passed).[9]
Under the Wet inburgering 2013
- Extra time is possible, for example, after at least 300 course hours, with every exam you haven't passed attempted at least twice (plus at least one ONA attempt) and your term started at least 2.5 years ago. You apply with a form, and DUO decides within 8 weeks.[8]
- Exemption (ontheffing wegens aantoonbaar geleverde inspanningen) is possible in some Wi2013 cases. For people who took an A2 course, the conditions include at least 600 course hours at an approved school and at least 3 attempts at all exams. This exemption is not available under Wi2021.[10]
- If you're late, DUO sends a "Vooraankondiging termijnoverschrijding" letter and then a fine, after which you get 2 more years.[9]
Asylum status holders: DUO states that asylum status holders never get a fine for finishing late. After a ruling by the Raad van State, DUO also may not fine status holders under Wi2013 or Wi2021 for taking too long.[9] You still need to continue your integration.
Other exemptions (serious illness or disability, Dutch diplomas, long residence and work) are on DUO's "Minder of geen examens" page.[10] If your deadline is close after a fail, contact your municipality (Wi2021) or DUO early.
A calm 3-week resit plan
Because you can't see your marked exam,[3] your first job is to rebuild the picture of where you lost points. The official practice exams can do that: after you submit, DUO lets you review your answers.[1]
Week 1: find the gaps
- Write down which themes felt hard on exam day. "Instanties felt like guessing" is useful data.
- Take Oefenexamen KNM 2 (or KNM 1 if you haven't done it) under real conditions: desktop, 45-minute timer, no translation app. Then review every wrong answer.[1] Our practice exam walkthrough explains how to review by theme.
- Score yourself per theme. Pick the two weakest themes. Ignore the rest this week.
Week 2: repair, don't reread
- For each weak theme, make one page: who does what (gemeente, huisarts, UWV, DUO, IND…), key rules, and the Dutch words that tripped you up. Our KNM vocabulary list is sorted by theme.
- Watch the Netinnederland videos for those themes. DUO recommends them on its practising page.[1]
- Do 10-15 bilingual questions a day. Try our free 20-question KNM quiz for a quick check with instant scoring.
Week 3: mixed practice and booking
- Do mixed sets across all eight themes. You want 32+ out of 40, not 28, before you book.
- Check your attempts and fees in Mijn Inburgering, then book. Put the 1-week change/cancel deadline in your calendar.[5]
- Final days: light review only. Arrive 30 minutes early with valid ID.[3]
If the exam is still weeks away after booking, keep a light 20-minute daily rhythm rather than cramming. Our 4-week study plan has a day-by-day version.
FAQ
How many questions do I need right to pass the KNM exam?
DUO's official practice exam says you need at least 28 of its 40 questions correct to pass the practice exam, and that the real exam also has 40 questions. For the real exam, the pass mark is a cesuur set by the Minister. DUO doesn't publish a separate number on its public pages, so practise to a margin above 28.
When do I get my KNM result?
By letter within 8 weeks after the exam. You can also see it in Mijn Inburgering (log in with DigiD).
How much does a KNM resit cost?
€50 per attempt. Under Wi2021, asylum status holders get their first 2 attempts per exam free (not at a lower level than their PIP). Extra attempts are paid and can't be covered by a DUO loan.
Does a passed KNM exam expire?
DUO's pages and the exam regulations don't mention an expiry date for a KNM pass in the Netherlands, and DUO keeps results for 60 years. The 1-year validity rule you may read about applies to the basisexamen abroad, for an mvv visa.
Will I get a fine if I fail KNM?
Not for failing one attempt. Fines are about missing your overall deadline without an extension, and asylum status holders are not fined. Check your own deadline in Mijn Inburgering and ask about extra time early if you need it.
Lotus & Tulip makes unofficial practice material. We are not affiliated with DUO, Cito or the Dutch government. Pass marks, fees, waiting times and deadline rules can change. Always verify on the official sites below and in Mijn Inburgering.
Sources
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Oefenen: official practice exams. Oefenexamen KNM 1 (2025) intro screen: 40 questions, "Het echte examen KNM bestaat ook uit 40 vragen"; end screen: "U moet minstens 28 vragen goed hebben", no guarantee, computer-marked, answer review. Netinnederland tip. Checked 2026-10-19. EN: Practising for the exam
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Kennisexamens (KNM computer exam, themes, 45 minutes; Wi2013 and Wi2021; check Mijn Inburgering). Checked 2026-10-19
- DUO: Examenreglement (PDF, November 2025) (computer marking; cesuur set by the Minister; geslaagd / niet geslaagd plus cijfer; result within 8 weeks; no inspection; results kept 60 years; changes and cancellation 7 days; free-attempt rules; 10-day request; fraud and 3-month exclusion; arrive 30 minutes early). Checked 2026-10-19
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Uitslag examen (knowledge exams and A2: letter within 8 weeks, also in Mijn Inburgering). Checked 2026-10-19. EN: Exam results
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Aanmelden examen (register in Mijn Inburgering; paper form; change or cancel up to 1 week before with refund; can take more than 6 weeks). Also Inloggen Mijn Inburgering. Checked 2026-10-19
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Hoeveel kost inburgeren? (KNM €50; Wi2021 asylum status holders: first 2 attempts free, extra attempts paid, no DUO loan). Checked 2026-10-19
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Extra tijd om in te burgeren (3 years; reasons for extra time under Wi2021 and Wi2013). Checked 2026-10-19
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Extra tijd: veel uren cursus en vaak examen gedaan (Wi2021 automatic 6 months incl. KNM passed; Wi2013 300 hours + exams twice; decision within 8 weeks). Checked 2026-10-19
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Boete (Wi2021 learning-route fine max €1,000 and extra time after it; Wi2013 fine + 2 years; no fines for asylum status holders; Raad van State ruling). Checked 2026-10-19
- DUO / inburgeren.nl: Genoeg cursus en examens gedaan (Wi2013 only: 600 hours, 3 attempts at all exams) and Minder of geen examens. Checked 2026-10-19
- Rijksoverheid: Wet inburgering 2021 (everyone obliged to integrate from 1 January 2022 falls under Wi2021). Checked 2026-10-19
- Staatscourant 2024, 15802 (revised KNM objectives, eight themes, from 1 July 2025)
- DUO: Uitslag examen Spreken A2 en Schrijven A2 vertraagd (31 July 2026: up to 16 weeks; automatic 6-month extension). Checked 2026-10-19
- IND: Basisexamen inburgering in het buitenland (abroad exam: passed parts valid until the whole exam is passed; full result valid 1 year for the mvv). Checked 2026-10-19
- DUO Zakelijk: Overschrijding inburgeringstermijn (Wi2021: DUO only fines after the integration term ends; fine plus extra time). Checked 2026-10-19
Checked against the sources above on 15 October 2026. General study guidance, not legal advice. Related reading: KNM exam cost & booking · DUO KNM practice exam walkthrough · 4-week study plan · KNM exam themes · vocabulary list · free KNM quiz · 2025 changes.