French Civic Exam practice test

Since 1 January 2026, France requires a civic exam (examen civique) for naturalisation by decree and for the first issue of a multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a 10-year resident card (carte de résident). It checks your knowledge of the Republic’s values, institutions, rights and duties, history, geography and culture, and daily life in France. The exam was created by Decree No. 2025-648 of 15 July 2025 and its programme is set by the Order of 10 October 2025.

The exam has 40 multiple-choice questions with four options each: 28 knowledge questions and 12 practical scenarios (questions de mise en situation). You have up to 45 minutes and need 32 correct answers (80%) to pass. It is taken on a computer at an accredited centre, in French. A pass certificate does not expire. The real exam is in French; this site shows the questions in English so you can learn the content first.

Who has to take it

Non-EU nationals applying from 1 January 2026 for a first multi-year residence card, a first resident card, or French nationality by decree (naturalisation) must pass the exam before they submit the application. Renewals of existing cards do not require it, and beneficiaries of international protection are among those not affected. Applicants for a multi-year card must also first complete the civic training course (formation civique) of 24 hours over four days organised by OFII. Check the official rules for your own permit, because the lists of affected and exempt permits are detailed.

How to register and sit the exam

Preparation sheets and the list of accredited exam centres are published on the Ministry of the Interior’s civic training site, formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. You register with a centre, pay any fee it charges, and sit the exam at a computer under supervision. If you do not pass, you can register again; there is no limit on attempts, but you must hold the certificate before your application can be filed, so leave time for a second sitting.

What the questions cover

The programme has five themes. Principles and values of the Republic: liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism (laïcité), equality between women and men. The institutional and political system: the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, the President, Government, Parliament, local authorities and the European Union. Fundamental rights and duties: the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, duties such as paying tax and respecting the law, and the justice system. History, geography and culture: key dates from the Revolution to today, the regions, symbols such as the flag, anthem and Marianne, and cultural heritage. Daily life in France: health, work, housing, school, administrative procedures and everyday rules; the 12 scenario questions mostly come from here. Our questions and answers page follows these themes.

Language

The exam is in French and the questions assume you can read everyday French. Naturalisation and the resident card also require a separate French language certificate; the exam does not replace it. Learn the content in English here, then study the official preparation sheets in French so the vocabulary is familiar.

How to study

1. Work through the five themes in practice mode. The values and institutions themes supply most of the knowledge questions.
2. Learn the key dates and numbers: 1789, 1905, 1944 and 1958; the length of the President’s term; the two chambers of Parliament; the number of regions.
3. For scenario questions, think about what a resident is expected to do: declare income, register a child at school, use the public health system, respect secularism in public services.
4. Take a timed mock exam until you pass three in a row with 34 or more, then clear your weak questions.

Our guide to France’s new civic exam has more on who is affected. Always check Service-Public.fr and the Ministry of the Interior site, linked on this page, for the current rules.