Frequently Asked Questions: Everything About the French Civic Exam

The French civic exam is a mandatory test for obtaining certain residence permits (CSP, CR) or French nationality (naturalization). It evaluates your knowledge of Republic values, French institutions, history, geography, and daily life in France.

The civic exam covers 5 official themes: (1) Principles and Values of the Republic (motto, symbols, secularism), (2) Institutional and Political System (Constitution, powers, elections), (3) Rights and Duties of citizens, (4) History, Geography and Culture of France, (5) Living in French Society (work, health, education).

The exam has 40 multiple-choice questions: 28 knowledge questions and 12 situational questions. You have 45 minutes to complete it, which is roughly 1 minute per question.

The three civic exams have different difficulty levels: CSP (Multi-year Residence Card, 4 years) is the most accessible with 191 official questions. CR (Resident Card, 10 years) is more demanding with 209 questions. NAT (Naturalization) is the hardest with 258 in-depth questions about history and institutions. In all cases, 40 questions are randomly selected on exam day.

You need at least 32 out of 40 correct answers, which is 80%. If you score 31/40, you fail. There are no partial retakes - you must retake the entire exam.

Cheating on the civic exam has serious consequences: you are immediately expelled from the session, your attempt is invalidated, and you are banned from retaking the exam for 2 years. This ban can also affect your administrative file with the prefecture.

It depends on the level. CSP level (4-year permit) is accessible: it requires common sense and basic knowledge of values (Liberty, Equality...). CR level (10-year card) is harder: you need to learn historical dates and political structures (Parliament, Constitution). NAT level (Naturalization) is the most demanding, with even more in-depth questions about French history and institutions.

The exam is in French only, with no translation. However, questions are worded simply (A2/B1 level). It's multiple choice on a tablet, not an essay. If you can read everyday French, that's enough.

Yes, especially in the "Situational Questions". Example: You're asked if you can refuse work for religious reasons. The answer is governed by law (Laïcité). Tip: Watch out for words like "Always", "Never", or "Forbidden". Absolute answers are often wrong.

Exempt categories: (1) Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) holders for their initial CSP, (2) Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection (BPI), (3) Nationals from countries with bilateral agreements (e.g., Franco-Algerian agreement of 1968), (4) People over 65 years old, (5) People with serious health issues or disabilities (with documentation). Renewals of existing permits do not require the exam.

Yes, there's no limit on how many times you can retake the exam. If you fail, you can re-register immediately (you must pay the registration fee again). Note: If you're caught cheating (fraud), you're banned from taking it for 2 years.

The exam is taken at state-approved centers: the Chamber of Commerce (CCIP) or France Éducation International (FEI). There are centers in all major cities. Registration is online only through their official websites.

The price is approximately €70 (varies by exam center). This is paid online when booking. It is non-refundable if you change your mind or fail the exam.

No. The Prefecture doesn't manage exams. You must register through an approved center (CCIP or FEI). See our registration guide for direct links.

1) Your printed Convocation (don't rely on your phone). 2) Your Passport or Residence Permit (original). Warning: Photocopies are refused.

Rarely. Most registrations are final. If you want to change location, you'll often have to pay again. Choose carefully the first time!

Risky. The center may refuse an expired ID. Contact the center beforehand to verify, or bring your passport as backup.

You need 32 correct answers out of 40 (80%). If you get 31/40, you fail. There's no "second chance". You have to retake the entire exam.

Don't panic, it doesn't cancel your visa application. But you must: (1) Re-register for a new session, (2) Pay the registration fee again, (3) Wait for the next available date. That's why it's more economical to prepare well the first time.

No. Once obtained, your civic exam pass is permanent. You can reuse it for future administrative applications if needed.

Usually within 48 hours to 1 week by email. The official certificate will be sent by the exam center.

OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) is the public institution that supports foreigners in their integration process in France. OFII manages the CIR (Republican Integration Contract), mandatory civic training, and French language courses for newcomers.

OFII civic training is a mandatory 4-day program for CIR (Republican Integration Contract) signatories. It presents Republic values, how institutions work, and life in France. This training prepares for the civic exam but does not replace it: you must take the exam separately.

OFII civic training lasts 4 days (approximately 24 hours total). It usually takes place over 4 consecutive days or spread over several weeks, depending on the center. Hours are typically 9am to 5pm with a lunch break.

The CIR is a contract signed between the French State and newly arrived foreigners. It commits the signatory to attend civic training and, if necessary, French language courses. In return, the State supports integration (employment assistance, access to rights). The CIR is mandatory to obtain a multi-year residence permit.

OFII civic training (4 days) is an information course about France, free and mandatory for CIR signatories. The civic exam is a paid MCQ test (~€70) that evaluates your knowledge. Training prepares you, but the exam evaluates you: they are two distinct steps.

OFII training gives a good foundation, but it's generally not enough to pass the civic exam at 80%. The exam contains precise questions (dates, names, procedures) that training only briefly covers. We recommend completing with MCQ practice to memorize the details.

The naturalization interview (or assimilation interview) is an appointment at the prefecture for candidates for French nationality. An agent checks your French proficiency, knowledge about France, and integration into society. It typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes.

Questions cover: (1) Your personal and professional background in France, (2) Your motivations for becoming French, (3) Republic values (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Secularism), (4) How institutions work (President, Parliament, Mayor), (5) French history and geography, (6) Your daily life and integration.

Be sincere and personal. Talk about your attachment to France (family life, work, values), your life project, and what French citizenship means to you. Avoid generic answers. Examples: 'I've lived in France for 10 years, my children were born here' or 'I share the republican values of equality and freedom'.

The interview typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes, sometimes longer if the agent has additional questions. If your file is complete and your French is fluent, it may be shorter. Don't worry about the duration: it's not an indicator of success.

The civic exam (40 MCQs) objectively and standardly evaluates your knowledge. The naturalization interview evaluates your overall integration and oral French proficiency. Both are necessary for naturalization: the exam tests your knowledge, the interview tests your assimilation.

1) Review the basics: current President, motto, symbols, key dates. 2) Prepare your personal story: why France, your journey, your plans. 3) Practice speaking in French. 4) Re-read the Citizen's Booklet available on the government website. Our platform also helps you review the required knowledge.

No. We deliberately keep the app 100% in French to simulate real exam conditions. If you practice in English, you will fail on exam day. Our questions train your eye to recognize correct French keywords (like Liberté, Mairie, Préfecture) even if you are not fluent.

Yes! We have integrated the official questions published by the government. All exams marked 'Officiel' contain exclusively these official questions. Our database is also enriched with additional questions based on the 2025 regulation themes.

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Payment is 100% secure and processed by Stripe. We accept: Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), Google Pay, Apple Pay and Amazon Pay. No banking data is stored on PrepaCivique.fr.

The free version gives limited access to all training and revision topics, with one free mock exam. The premium version offers unlimited access to all content, unlimited mock exams, and all advanced features.

Yes, our content is continuously updated to reflect the latest laws and regulations, and to provide learning material that is always relevant and high quality.

No, you don't need to download or install an application. Our platform is accessible directly from your web browser, whether you're using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Simply start your training session, wherever you are, whenever you want.

On average, 1-3 months of regular practice (1 hour per day) is enough, depending on your starting knowledge. Candidates who take 3+ mock exams have a 96% pass rate.

For any questions, technical assistance, feature suggestions, or specific requests, you can contact us by sending an email to contact@prepacivique.fr