Nederlands
EnglishKNM Exam Changes 2025: New Requirements from July 1
Why has the KNM exam changed?
The update is part of a broader overhaul of the integration system. Since 2021, work has been underway to develop attainment targets that are more in line with contemporary Dutch society. These include themes such as digitization, social participation, and equal rights. The revised attainment targets were officially published on May 16, 2024, and will take effect on July 1, 2025.
What will change in the KNM exam from 2025?
Whereas the old KNM exam often focused on what you ‘should do’ in the Netherlands, the emphasis is now on understanding how society works. So, it's not about congratulating someone on their birthday, but knowing that congratulating someone is a custom in the Netherlands. This shift makes the exam less focused on behavior and more on understanding.
Practical themes in the 2025 KNM exam
The new learning outcomes are structured around four recognizable practical situations: work, living, contact with authorities, and citizenship. Eight themes are covered within these situations, including health, education, work, and government. This combination ensures that the subject matter is more relevant to the daily lives of newcomers.
New KNM exam topics: the Holocaust, DigiD, and healthcare
A number of substantive themes have been added. For example, knowledge about the Holocaust and recognizing anti-Semitism are now explicitly part of the exam. It is also emphasized that in the Netherlands, the law takes precedence over religious or cultural rules. Furthermore, women's right to self-determination has been included: an important principle within the Dutch constitutional state.
In addition to these topics, attention is also paid to practical knowledge that does not directly fall under citizenship, but is important in everyday life. For example, basic digital skills are covered, such as knowing what DigiD is, how to log in securely to government websites, and why privacy is important.
New elements have also been added in the area of healthcare. For example, students learn about the role of a practice support worker at the GP's office (POH) and in which situations you can contact them. This kind of knowledge helps newcomers to better find their way within the Dutch healthcare system.
What do the new KNM final attainment levels mean for students?
For students, the main change is the content of the exam: the questions will focus more on knowledge and less on desired behavior. Fortunately, updated practice exams are now available via DUO, and publishers are working on updated teaching materials.
KNM preparation
With the new attainment levels on the way, it is important to work with materials that are in line with them. Fortunately, we have revised our teaching materials so that you and your students can prepare for the KNM exam with confidence:
Kijk op Nederland
Preparing for the KNM exam from A1 level? Students have been doing this for years with Kijk op Nederland! The simple language, visual material, and diagrams enable students to acquire the necessary knowledge without having to read long texts. The themes are accompanied by (online) reading, listening, and writing exercises. The website offers audio, vocabulary exercises, exam training, and a teacher's manual.
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Welcome to the Netherlands
Welkom in Nederland, KNM training at A2 level, is also being thoroughly revised to bring it into line with the new attainment targets. Welkom in Nederland consists of seven thematic chapters, each divided into tasks. Each task deals with a sub-theme with explanations and practical assignments. The themes are in line with the KNM exam: living together, healthcare, housing, parenting and education, work, government agencies, and the Dutch state. The method consists of a textbook and a website. The website features interactive exercises that are similar to the exam. The revised edition will be published in October.
KNM trainer in LINK
The KNM trainer in LINK is being updated and will soon be available as a separate KNM exam training course. This will allow learners who do not work with LINK to also use this innovative, digital exam preparation tool. The content has been updated and expanded in several areas.
For example, within the theme of ‘living’, attention is paid to fixed and temporary energy contracts and the consequences of fluctuating energy prices. The theme ‘interacting with others’ covers public holidays such as Keti Koti and Carnival, which are celebrated by parts of the population. There have also been changes to the ‘health’ theme: the right to use an interpreter when visiting a healthcare provider is explained, as is the role of the practice support worker.
The theme ‘education and upbringing’ explains the difference between compulsory education and compulsory qualification. Under ‘work and income’, participants learn how they can prepare for work through MAP or training. Under ‘authorities’, attention is paid to the safe use of the BSN and DigiD. Furthermore, the term ‘Holocaust’ has been added to the glossary under the theme ‘this is the Netherlands’. The subject of organ donation is also covered in the theme ‘politics and the judiciary’.
With these changes, the KNM trainer is even better aligned with the knowledge and skills that participants need for the exam and everyday life in the Netherlands. The revised KNM trainer will be published this summer.
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