You take the civic exam in an exam centre, on a tablet or computer. You answer 40 multiple-choice questions in French, in 45 minutes at most, and you must get 32 correct answers. The format is the same for the multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), the resident card (carte de résident) and naturalisation.
Sources: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr (ministère de l'Intérieur) and service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530, in French.
The exam in figures
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40 multiple-choice questions, in French, for all levels (mentions) |
| Types | 28 knowledge questions and 12 scenario questions (mises en situation) |
| Answers | Only one correct answer out of 4 |
| Scoring | 1 point per correct answer, 0 for a wrong or blank answer |
| To pass | 32 correct answers out of 40 (80%), for all three levels |
| Time | 45 minutes at most, more only with an adjustment |
| Format | Tablet or computer, in an exam centre |
Sources: arrêté du 10 octobre 2025 (articles 2, 3 and 4), on Légifrance; formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr; service-public.gouv.fr, fiche F39530; CCI Paris Île-de-France, results page. All in French.
With 32 correct answers required, you can get wrong or leave blank 8 questions at most.
How the 40 questions are split by theme
The questions cover five themes. The number of questions is set for each theme. The 12 scenario questions are split between two themes: 6 in principles and values of the Republic, 6 in rights and duties.
| Theme | Questions | Including |
|---|---|---|
| Principles and values of the Republic | 11 | 3 on the motto and the symbols, 2 on laïcité (secularism), 6 scenario questions |
| Institutional and political system | 6 | 3 on democracy and voting, 2 on the organisation of the Republic, 1 on the European Union |
| Rights and duties | 11 | 2 on fundamental rights, 3 on obligations, 6 scenario questions |
| History, geography and culture | 8 | 3 in history, 3 in geography, 2 on heritage |
| Living in French society | 4 | 1 on settling in France, 1 on healthcare, 1 on work, 1 on school and parental authority |
Sources: arrêté du 10 octobre 2025, annexe I, on Légifrance, and CCI Paris Île-de-France, presentation page, in French. The sub-theme titles are summarised.
To see what these questions look like, browse the sample questions by theme (in French), each with its answer explained and its source, or go straight to a theme: principles and values, institutions, rights and duties, history and geography, living in France.
Independent app, not affiliated with the French administration.
Knowledge questions and scenario questions
Knowledge questions (28 out of 40) check what you know: a date, an institution, a symbol, a rule of life in France. The ministère de l'Intérieur publishes a list of knowledge questions for each level, without the answers: the multi-year residence permit list, the resident card list and the naturalisation list (in French).
Scenario questions (12 out of 40) describe an everyday situation and ask you what is true or what you should do. For the multi-year residence permit and resident card levels, the ministry states that they are not made public. Rather than learning by heart, understand the principles behind them.
Sources: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr and the list pages above, in French.
Sample scenario questions, with their explanation, are on the page mises en situation (in French).
Three levels, one format
The exam has three levels (mentions): multi-year residence permit, resident card and naturalisation. All have 40 questions and the same pass mark of 32 correct answers. The difference lies elsewhere: the level of difficulty depends on the permit you apply for, and each level has its own list of knowledge questions.
A pass at the resident card level is also valid for a multi-year residence permit application.
Sources: arrêté du 10 octobre 2025, article 1 and formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, in French.
On the day of the exam
- The place. You take the exam on a tablet or computer, in a centre of the CCI Paris Île-de-France or of France Éducation International, the two bodies accredited by the ministère de l'Intérieur. (formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr)
- The times. Sessions take place between 8 am and 8 pm, never on Sundays or public holidays. (arrêté du 20 août 2025, article 7)
- Your documents. You show your notice to attend (convocation) and a valid identity document: your residence permit (titre de séjour). A passport or an identity card is accepted only for a European Union national taking the naturalisation level. A photo of you is taken before the test. (arrêté du 10 octobre 2025, annexe III and CCI Paris Île-de-France, exam day page)
- The rules. If you do not follow the exam rules, your exam may be cancelled. In case of fraud or attempted fraud, you cannot take the exam again for the next 2 years. (fiche F39530)
To book a date in a centre, see how to register for the civic exam.
After the exam
The arrêté (ministerial order) states that the certificate (attestation) is issued 12 to 48 hours after the exam. At the CCI Paris Île-de-France, the result arrives within 24 to 48 working hours, in a digital safe where it is kept for 10 years. You then attach the certificate to your permit application on the ANEF.
Sources: arrêté du 20 août 2025, article 10 and CCI Paris Île-de-France, certificate page, in French.
If you fail, you can take the exam again as many times as needed. The CCI Paris Île-de-France requires at least one day between two sittings. Once you pass the exam, the certificate has no expiry date.
Sources: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr and CCI Paris Île-de-France, certificate page, in French.
To read and understand your result, see the civic exam results (in French).
Practise in the real format
The most useful thing before the big day: take a free practice test of 40 questions in 45 minutes, then look at your mistakes theme by theme. Cal Civique is coming soon to Android and iPhone so you can revise every day.
5 questions, 2 minutes, every answer explained with its source. No sign-up.
Independent app, not affiliated with the French administration.