What is the French civic exam?
The civic exam is an official test, mandatory since 1 January 2026. The pass certificate is required for any French naturalization application, as well as for the first issuance of a multi-year residence permit or a resident card. Its content is defined by decree no. 2025-647 and the order of 10 October 2025.
In practice, the test is a multiple-choice questionnaire of 40 questions, to be completed in a maximum of 45 minutes, on a tablet, in an accredited exam centre. To pass, you need at least 32 correct answers out of 40 — an 80% threshold that requires genuine preparation.
The 5 official themes of the programme
The 40 exam questions are spread across five major themes defined by the official order. Our free test follows exactly the same structure:
How to register for the official exam?
Registration is online only, with one of the two operators accredited by the Ministry of the Interior: the CCI Paris Île-de-France (CCIP) and France Éducation international (FEI), which run exam centres across France.
The fee is set by each centre: expect roughly €65 to €90 per attempt in early 2026. If you fail, you can retake the exam as many times as needed, with no waiting period — but every attempt is paid, which is why solid preparation before sitting the exam pays off.
How to prepare effectively?
Start with this free test to assess your level, theme by theme. Then study the official programme — the citizen's booklet remains the reference — and practise regularly with multiple-choice quizzes until you consistently score above 80%. Our civic exam preparation guide lays out a complete week-by-week method.
Finally, train under real conditions: 40 questions, 45 timed minutes. That is exactly what the unlimited mock exams in the Francopass app offer, with hundreds of questions from the official programme, structured courses and explanations for every answer. And if you are also preparing for the naturalization interview, see our list of interview questions.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the civic exam cost?
The fee is set by each exam centre: expect roughly €65 to €90 per attempt in early 2026, payable at registration. Check the exact fee with your chosen accredited operator.
Where and how do I register for the civic exam?
Registration is online only, with one of the two operators accredited by the Ministry of the Interior: the CCI Paris Île-de-France (CCIP) and France Éducation international (FEI). The test takes place on a tablet in an accredited exam centre.
Who has to take the civic exam?
Since 1 January 2026, the pass certificate is required for any naturalization application, as well as for the first issuance of a multi-year residence permit or a resident card. It is not required to renew a permit you already hold.
What score do you need to pass?
You need at least 32 correct answers out of 40 — an 80% pass mark — within a maximum of 45 minutes.
What happens if you fail?
You can retake the exam as many times as needed, with no waiting period between attempts (except in cases of fraud, punished by a 2-year ban). Each attempt is paid.
How long is the pass certificate valid?
Official texts do not set an explicit validity period for the certificate. Keep it safely for your naturalization or residence permit application.
Is this free test identical to the official exam?
This test uses the same multiple-choice format and the 5 official themes of the programme (decree no. 2025-647 and the order of 10 October 2025), with 30 practice questions. The official exam has 40 questions in 45 minutes, on a tablet, in an accredited centre.
Move on to full mock exams
Timed 40-question mock exams, hundreds of official questions, courses and flashcards — in the Francopass app.