The French civic exam: practise and walk in ready

What is the French civic exam?

A multiple-choice test of 40 questions in French, with 45 minutes at most. You need at least 32 correct answers to pass, which is 80% (source).

There are two kinds of questions: 28 knowledge questions and 12 real-life situations ("mises en situation") (source). You take it on a tablet or a computer (source).

Who has to take it?

Since 1 January 2026 you must pass it for a first multi-year residence permit, a first resident card or naturalisation (source). Renewals are not affected (source).

Not every card is affected. For a multi-year permit or a resident card, people over 65 do not have to take it (source). Check your own case on service-public.gouv.fr.

Is the exam in English?

No, the exam is in French (source). With Civizon you answer in French, like on the day, and read the explanation in English.

What are the topics?

There are five themes (source):

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

For the cards, how hard the questions are depends on the card you apply for (multi-year or resident) (source). Naturalisation has its own list of knowledge questions (source). See multi-year residence permit, resident card and naturalisation.

Where do I take the exam?

Two organisations are approved by the Ministry of the Interior: CCI Paris Île-de-France and France Éducation international (source). Each exam centre sets its own fee (source).

Can I prepare for free?

Yes. The ministry says you can prepare completely free of charge (source). It publishes study sheets and the list of knowledge questions for the multi-year permit, the resident card and naturalisation.

The ministry also points out that paid websites are not run by the ministry (source). That is true for Civizon too: we are a private company, and we say so.

What does Civizon add?

Civizon is for people who want to really practise, not just read.

• Mock exams in the real format: 40 questions, 45 minutes, 28 knowledge questions and 12 situations (source). We write our own situation questions in the same style.
• The explanation in your language: French, English, Arabic, Russian, Turkish, Spanish or Portuguese, after every answer.
• A study path that brings back your weak spots, theme by theme.
• A countdown to your exam date.

Every question points to a public source. Start with a free 10-question trial, no account needed. Full access costs {{prix}} once, for 90 days, extended for free until your exam date. If you fail, you get your money back under our guarantee terms.

How many times can I retake it?

As many times as you need (source). Once you pass, your certificate does not expire (source).

Civizon is a private, paid service. Civizon is not a government body and is not affiliated with the French state.