How does the French civic exam work?

How many questions, and how long?

40 multiple-choice questions in French, in 45 minutes at most (source). Each question has four answers and one is correct (source).

What kinds of questions?

• 28 knowledge questions: what you know about France and the Republic (source).
• 12 situations: what to do in an everyday situation (source).

What is the pass mark?

At least 32 correct answers, which is 80% (source).

Is the level the same for everyone?

No. For the cards, the difficulty depends on the card you apply for (multi-year or resident) (source). Naturalisation has its own list of knowledge questions (source). The "resident card" exam also counts for a multi-year residence permit (source).

Where and how do I book?

With one of the two approved organisations: CCI Paris Île-de-France or France Éducation international (source). The formation-civique website lists the approved centres and how to register (source). The fee is set by the exam centre (source).

When should I take it?

Before you file your permit or naturalisation application (source). You can take it as often as you need (source). For a residence card, service-public.gouv.fr says the exam comes at the end of a 24-hour civic training course over 4 days (source).

What if I have a disability or a health problem?

You can ask for adjustments. If testing is impossible, an exemption is possible. You need a medical certificate (source).

What happens after fraud?

You cannot take the exam for the next 2 years (source).

How long is the certificate valid?

It does not expire (source).

How do I practise in the real format?

Take a Civizon mock exam: 40 questions, 45 minutes, the same split between knowledge and situations, with the explanation in your language. Free 10-question trial.

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