Spanish Citizenship Test (CCSE) practice test

The CCSE (Prueba de Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España) is required for Spanish nationality by residence. It is run by the Instituto Cervantes, which publishes the complete question bank and a free preparation manual, so there are no surprises in the exam itself: every question you can be asked is already public.

The test has 25 questions, a mix of multiple choice with three options and true or false, spread over five tasks. You have 45 minutes and need 15 correct answers (60%) to pass. The result is simply apto (pass) or no apto; your score is not reported. Exams are held on the last Thursday of most months (ten sittings a year, with none in August or December) at accredited centres in Spain and abroad. The registration fee covers two attempts: if you do not pass or do not attend, you can book a second sitting at the same centre within six months. The pass certificate is valid for four years. The real test is in Spanish; this site shows the questions in English so you can learn the content first.

Who has to take it

Adults applying for Spanish nationality by residence must pass the CCSE. Applicants under 18 and people with a legally recognised incapacity are exempt, as are some applicants who completed compulsory secondary education in Spain. Applicants whose first language is not Spanish must also pass the DELE A2 (or higher) Spanish language exam, which is separate; nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt from the language exam but not from the CCSE. Applicants for nationality by other routes (for example Sephardic origin or option) have their own rules.

How to register and sit the exam

You register and pay on the Instituto Cervantes exams website, choose a centre and a monthly date, and bring valid ID on the day. The exam is on paper and lasts 45 minutes. Results are published about 20 days later in your candidate area and sent as a digital certificate. You then include the certificate with your nationality application on the Ministry of Justice’s electronic platform.

What the questions cover

The question bank has 300 questions in five areas. Government, legislation and civic participation (the Constitution, the Crown, the Cortes, the Government, elections) supplies 10 of the 25 questions. Fundamental rights and duties supplies 3. Territorial organisation and geography (the autonomous communities, provinces, rivers, climate) supplies 2. Culture and history (festivals, art, literature, key historical facts) supplies 3. Spanish society (everyday life, administration, health, education, work, traffic rules) supplies 7. Our questions and answers page follows these areas.

Language

The CCSE is in Spanish, written at a level a DELE A2 candidate can read. Because the full bank is published, most candidates study the official questions in Spanish directly. Use this site to understand what each question is asking and why the answer is correct, then practise with the official bank so the wording is familiar.

How to study

1. Download the official Manual CCSE from the Instituto Cervantes and skim it once to see the five areas.
2. Use practice mode by area, starting with government and society, which together make up 17 of the 25 questions.
3. Learn the numbers: 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities, 50 provinces, the Constitution of 1978, the two chambers of the Cortes, the length of a legislature.
4. Take a timed mock exam until you pass three in a row with 20 or more, then clear your weak questions.
5. Finish by working through the official question bank in Spanish, which the Instituto Cervantes also offers as a free app.

Our guide to the CCSE exam has more on registration and the DELE requirement. Check the Instituto Cervantes page linked on this page for the current fee and dates.