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The French civic exam 2026: complete guide
French civic exam 2026: the format (40 questions in 45 minutes), 5 topics, pass mark of 32/40, who needs it and levels A2, B1, B2. The complete guide.
Since 1 January 2026, the French civic exam is a required step for many residence procedures in France. If you’re applying for a residence permit, a resident card or naturalisation, you will have to sit it.
What is the civic exam?
It’s a multiple-choice test, in French, that checks your knowledge of France’s principles, history and society. It has 40 questions in 45 minutes: 28 knowledge questions and 12 situational ones. To pass, you need at least 32 correct answers out of 40 (80%).
The 5 official topics
The exam covers five topics: the principles and values of the Republic; the institutional and political system; rights and duties; history, geography and culture; and living in French society. Each topic has a set number of questions, so revising all five beats going deep on one.
Who is concerned?
It’s required for a first multi-year residence permit (A2 French expected), the resident card (B1) and naturalisation (B2). The language level is proven separately: passing the civic exam doesn’t replace the French test.
How to prepare well
Practise on the official wordings, understand each answer instead of memorising it, and test yourself under real conditions. That is what CIVIC does, and its first mock exam is free.
Frequently asked questions
When did the civic exam become compulsory?
On 1 January 2026. It gates three applications: the first multi-year residence permit, the resident card and naturalisation by decree.
How long does the civic exam last?
45 minutes for 40 questions, a little over a minute each. Nothing is marked before the end of the exam.
What does the syllabus cover?
The five topics set by the order of 10 October 2025: the principles and values of the Republic, the institutional and political system, rights and duties, history, geography and culture, and living in French society.
Put it into practice
Start with no card.
Open CIVIC in your browser and sit your free mock exam today.
No card required · Nothing to install · The diagnostic is never counted
In French CIVIC itself runs in French, like the exam.