You take lessions and exams

Last updated: 30/10/2024, 14:56

You pass the civic integration if you take lessons and then pass 6 different exams. You can read more about it on this page.

You learn Dutch

You take lessions in Dutch. You pass if you master the Dutch language at least to level

in these 4 sections:

Writing
Speaking
Listening
Reading

You can also choose to learn the Dutch language at a higher level. This is especially important if you want to get to work quickly, or study in the Netherlands. You will then need language level

You learn about Dutch society

You take classes that cover Dutch society. After that, you will take an exam. This is called

'Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij' (KNM)

. It is about rules in the Netherlands and what people in the Netherlands find important.

The exam covers 8 topics in Dutch society:

Work and income
Behaviour, values and norms
Housing
Health and healthcare
History and geography
Institutions in the Netherlands
Constitution and rule of law
Education and parenting

Each topic describes what you need to know and be able to do to pass the exam. In 'onderwijs en opvoeding' (education and parenting), for example, you will learn how the Dutch education system works and how to pay for an education.

You learn about working in the Netherlands

You will also be taught about working in the Netherlands. This is called orientation to the Dutch labor market ('Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt', ONA). You will learn how to find work in the Netherlands that suits you.

You must pass 3 sections:

Learning about working in the Netherlands in the preparatory phase
Creating a portfolio
64 hours of courses or a final interview with
Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO)

Below you can read what each section entails:

The preparatory phase

In the preparatory phase, you answer questions like, "Who am I? What can I do? How do I achieve my goals?" You also collect evidence during this period, such as diplomas, a diploma evaluation, a cover letter and a curriculum vitae (CV).

Preparing a portfolio

You have to prepare a portfolio for the exam. This consists of forms in which you show what kind of work you want to do and what you have to do to get it. In your portfolio you also provide information about the Dutch job market. Furthermore, your portfolio consists of evidence such as a CV and a cover letter.

Final interview with DUO or 64 hours of courses

You can prepare for the exam by taking an ONA course. Together with the teacher and other course participants, you assess what kind of work you want to do and what is possible for this in the Netherlands.

If you have completed 64 hours of courses, you do not have to have a final interview with DUO. You can then pass the exam a little easier.

If you have not taken a course, you have to have a final interview with DUO. During this final interview, DUO employees will ask you about your portfolio and completed assignments.

Cost of exams

If you pass the exams first time, you can pay the exam costs from a loan from DUO. You can do this through your school. Note: if you have to retake multiple exams, your loan may run out. Then you have to pay the costs yourself.