French Civic Exam 2026: practical guide

Quick answer: France’s Examen civique is a French-language multiple-choice exam with 40 questions, a maximum of 45 minutes, and a passing score of 32/40 (80%). Different preparation routes apply to Naturalisation, the multi-year residence permit (CSP) and the resident card (CR).

Why the exam exists

The exam checks knowledge of French republican principles and values, institutions, rights and duties, history/geography/culture and everyday life in French society. From 1 January 2026 it is required in the procedures covered by the new rules, including relevant naturalisation and first long-term residence applications.

Three routes

Naturalisation

The Ministry publishes an official knowledge-question list for French nationality preparation and states that the exam includes knowledge and situational questions. Citizenship Test Hub does not invent a fixed naturalisation ratio when the dedicated naturalisation source does not state one.

CSP

For the covered first multi-year residence permit route, the official format specifies 28 knowledge questions and 12 situational questions.

CR

The resident-card route also uses 28 knowledge questions and 12 situational questions, but the difficulty level and official knowledge list are distinct from CSP.

The five official topics

1. Principles and values of the French Republic
2. Institutional and political system
3. Rights and duties
4. History, geography and culture
5. Living in French society

Official material versus practice

Some knowledge prompts are published by the authorities. Situational questions for the residence routes are not publicly released. Our interface therefore labels official published material separately from original practice scenarios.

How to prepare

Read the official material for your route, use Practice mode to learn with explanations, then take full timed mock exams. Review errors by topic rather than focusing only on the total score. Aim to perform consistently above the 32/40 threshold before test day.

Registration and exam-day details

Use the official authority and approved test-provider information for booking, locations, fees, identification requirements and appointment instructions. These operational details can change and should not be inferred from a practice website.

Use the English guide correctly

This English version helps you understand the structure. Because the official exam is presented in French, practise in French as well so that the wording is familiar.