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French civic exam 2026 (examen civique): format, pass mark and how to prepare
Unofficial. French Civic Exam - Quiz 2026 is an independent app. It is not affiliated with the French Ministry of the Interior.
Since 1 January 2026, the French civic exam is required for naturalisation and for a first multi-year residence card or resident card. It is a 40-question multiple-choice test in French: 28 knowledge questions and 12 real-life scenarios. You have 45 minutes at most and need at least 32 correct answers. You sit it at an approved centre before you file your application.
Practise with timed mock exams: download French Civic Exam - Quiz 2026 for free.
Who has to take it
- a first multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle, CSP): adults who signed the republican integration contract (CIR);
- a first resident card (carte de résident, CR);
- naturalisation or reinstatement by decree. Citizenship by declaration, for example through marriage to a French national, is not covered.
Renewals are exempt, and so are some groups, including beneficiaries of international protection and nationals of countries with certain bilateral agreements. There are three tracks (CSP, CR, naturalisation), each with its own difficulty level. Choose the one that matches your application when you book. Sources: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr, service-public.gouv.fr.
Exam format
| Questions | 40: 28 knowledge questions and 12 scenarios |
|---|---|
| Answers | 4 options, one correct |
| Time | 45 minutes at most |
| Pass mark | 32 correct (80%); no negative marking |
| Where | on a tablet or computer at an approved centre |
| Language | French |
The questions cover five themes: principles and values of the Republic (11), the institutional and political system (6), rights and duties (11), history, geography and culture (8), and living in French society (4). All 12 scenarios come from the first and third themes. Source: decree (arrêté) of 10 October 2025.
Our arithmetic: 8 mistakes allowed, about 1 minute 7 seconds per question. The knowledge questions come from published lists, so learn the list for your track first, then practise against the clock.
Official questions and free resources
- official knowledge questions, CSP track
- official knowledge questions, CR track
- knowledge questions, naturalisation track
- official overview and study sheets
The ministry states that you can prepare entirely for free. The 12 scenario questions are not published.
How to book
Two bodies are approved: CCI Paris Île-de-France (CCIP) and France Éducation International (FEI). See the CCIP centre map, the FEI centre map and FEI online pre-registration. Have your AGDREF foreign national number ready; it is on your residence permit. Each centre sets its own fee. On exam day, bring your valid residence permit. The centre takes your photo, your phone must be switched off and stored, and latecomers are not admitted. Details: service-public.gouv.fr.
Naturalisation: other conditions in brief
Usually 5 years of residence (2 years or none in some cases), French at B2 level (F11926), a préfecture interview, an online application and a €255 tax stamp. Check your situation on service-public.gouv.fr. This is not legal advice.
The app
On the US App Store the app is called "French Civic Exam - Quiz 2026"; on the French store it is "Examen Civique France - Quiz". It runs on iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 or later. According to its App Store listing, it offers timed mock exams with scores and explanations, flashcards by theme, progress tracking and offline use, with no account. The download is free. Premium is an in-app purchase: monthly, yearly or lifetime. Prices are shown in the App Store.
FAQ
How does the French civic exam work?
It is a multiple-choice test in French: 40 questions (28 knowledge questions and 12 real-life scenarios), four answers each, one correct. You get 45 minutes at most, on a tablet or computer at an approved centre.
What is the pass mark?
At least 32 correct answers out of 40 (80%). A wrong or blank answer scores 0; there is no negative marking. So you can miss 8 questions at most.
Who has to take the examen civique?
Since 1 January 2026: people applying for a first multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a first resident card (carte de résident), and people applying for French citizenship by decree (naturalisation). It is not required for renewals or for citizenship by declaration, for example through marriage.
Is the civic exam an oral interview?
No. Since 1 January 2026 it is a digital multiple-choice test. Naturalisation applicants are also interviewed at the préfecture after they file their application, but that is a separate step.
What French level do I need for naturalisation?
B2 in speaking and writing since 1 January 2026, shown by a French diploma or a TCF or TEF certificate less than two years old. The civic exam is a separate requirement.
Can I take the exam in English?
No. The exam is in French. This page and the app's English interface help you understand the format, but you answer the real questions in French.
Are the official questions published?
The Ministry of the Interior publishes the knowledge questions for each track, free of charge. The 12 scenario questions are not published, so no app can contain every exam question.
How much does it cost?
Each approved centre sets its own fee, and fees vary. Ask the centre before you book.
What if I fail?
You can retake the exam at any time, as often as you need. The pass certificate has no expiry date.
Checked on 17 October 2026 against the Ministry of the Interior, service-public.gouv.fr and Légifrance. Unofficial; not affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior.
Evgeny Goncharov builds the app and is the App Store seller. He is building TechConcepts.