Civic exam — frequently asked questions
The essentials about the 2026 civic exam. For your personal situation, always check the official sources.
What is the French civic exam?
It is an official test on the values, institutions, history and society of the French Republic. Since 1 January 2026 it is required for a first multi-year residence card, a first resident card and naturalisation.
Who is required to take it?
Anyone applying, from 1 January 2026, for a first multi-year residence card, a first resident card, or French nationality. It does not apply to a simple renewal, and some people are exempt (see below).
What is the format and the pass mark?
A multiple-choice test in French: 40 questions (28 knowledge + 12 situational), on a computer, in 45 minutes maximum. You pass with 80% — 32 correct answers out of 40.
What topics does it cover?
Five themes: the values and principles of the Republic; its institutions and democracy; the rights and duties of citizens; history, geography and culture; and living in French society.
Are the exam questions known in advance?
Yes, in part. The Ministry of the Interior publishes the official list of knowledge questions, separate for each permit: 191 for the multi-year residence card, 209 for the resident card, and a dedicated list for naturalisation. The 12 situational questions are never made public. Our free practice quiz reproduces these official lists in full, each question verified against the source.
What level of French is required?
The language level is separate from the civic exam and depends on the procedure: A2 for the multi-year residence card, B1 for the resident card, B2 for naturalisation. You can sit your French language exam (DELF A2, B1 or B2) through our partner site GoDELF.
Where do you take it, and how much does it cost?
With one of the two bodies approved by the Ministry of the Interior: the CCI Paris Île-de-France network ("Le français des affaires") or France Éducation International (FEI), which run centres across France. You register directly with the body of your choice. The fee is generally between €70 and €90 depending on the centre.
Are there any exemptions?
Yes. Exemptions notably include: people over 65 (exempt from both the language level and the civic exam, on proof of age); beneficiaries of international protection (refugees, subsidiary protection, stateless persons) and their families for a residence-permit application; people who completed at least 3 years of secondary school or at least 1 year of higher education in France; and people with a disability or chronic illness (medical exemption). For your specific situation, always check the official sources.
How long is the certificate valid?
Once you pass, the certificate is valid for life — you do not have to retake the exam for a later procedure.
Do you have to pay to prepare?
No. Preparation can be done for free — the Ministry of the Interior itself warns against paid sites, which carry a risk of fraud and false information, and recommends the official, free resources. Our practice quiz is free and based on the official questions. A guided course still helps you progress faster and work on the situational questions, which cannot be learned by heart.
How can I prepare?
Train for free with our practice quiz (by topic and a timed mock exam), and go further with a course led by our experienced teachers.
Official sources: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, Order of 10 October 2025 (Légifrance).
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