The civic exam for a resident card
Do I need to take the civic exam?
For a first resident card, the civic exam has been required since 1 January 2026 (source). Not every resident card is affected (source). The "resident card" exam also counts for a multi-year permit (source).
If your card is affected and you are under 65, you also need French at level B1 (source).
What does the exam look like?
40 questions in 45 minutes, and 32 correct answers to pass (source). The difficulty depends on the card you apply for (source).
Where are the questions?
The public list of knowledge questions for the carte de résident is here (in French).
How do I practise for it?
At Civizon you pick your permit at the start. Your mock exams follow that level, and you read the explanation in your language after every answer.
Free 10-question trial · How the exam works
Civizon is a private, paid service. Civizon is not a government body and is not affiliated with the French state.
Do I need the civic exam for a resident card?
Yes for a first application since 1 January 2026, with some exceptions. Check the details on service-public.gouv.fr.
Is the exam the same for every permit?
The format is the same: 40 questions, 45 minutes, 32 correct answers. For the cards, the difficulty depends on the card; naturalisation has its own question list.
Where can I find the knowledge questions?
The Ministry of the Interior publishes the list for the carte de résident free of charge, in French.
Sources
- www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A18713?lang=fr
- www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F39530?lang=fr
- www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F34501?lang=fr
- formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr/examen-civique/informations-g%C3%A9n%C3%A9rales-sur-le
- formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr/examen-civique/liste-officielle-des-questions-de-conna
Civizon is a private, paid service. Civizon is not a government body and is not affiliated with the French state.