2026 Civic Exam: Complete Guide to Passing the 40-Question MCQ

Last updated: January 2026 – Compliant with the Law of January 26, 2024

Since January 1, 2026, passing a civic exam has become mandatory for many foreigners wishing to settle permanently in France. This test, consisting of a 40-question Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ), aims to verify your knowledge of the French Republic's values, the country's history, its organization, and life in society.

Obtaining at least 32 correct answers out of 40 (an 80% success rate) is necessary to obtain the Certificate of Achievement, which must accompany your application for a residence permit or naturalization. In this complete guide, we detail everything you need to know about the civic exam: its objective, who is concerned, the format, the official themes to review, and the registration process, all the way to obtaining your certificate.

Why a Civic Exam in France?

The civic exam was established by the Law of January 26, 2024, regarding immigration and integration. Its objective is to ensure that every new long-term resident in France shares a common foundation of knowledge about the country and its fundamental principles. This test is an integral part of the Republican integration process: just like learning French, it aims to facilitate your integration by verifying that you master the essential benchmarks for living in France.

It is not a "trap," but rather a pedagogical formality. In fact, the MCQ questions largely reflect the content taught during the OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) civic training and the information in the Citizen's Booklet (Livret du Citoyen) given to newcomers. In short, the civic exam validates that you have assimilated the notions indispensable to your life as a future resident or French citizen.

Concretely, what is the format of this test? The exam takes the form of a 40-question MCQ in French, to be completed on a computer or tablet in 45 minutes. Each question has 4 options and only one correct answer. The themes cover a wide range of subjects: Republican values, rights and duties of the citizen, French institutions, history and geography of France, daily life, and practical procedures. To pass, you must get 32 correct answers out of 40, i.e., 80%. No external aid is authorized during the exam (no dictionary, no interpreter); it is therefore necessary to understand enough French to read and answer the questions, even though they are written in simple and accessible language.

Who Must Take the Civic Exam in 2026?

The civic exam has become a mandatory step for most adult foreigners who, starting in 2026, begin certain residence or naturalization procedures. You are concerned if you are making one of the following requests for the first time:

• Multi-year Residence Permit (CSP - Carte de Séjour Pluriannuelle): Any first residence permit valid for 2 to 4 years, issued after your initial long-stay visa. For example, applying for a "Private and Family Life" or "Salaried Employee" card for 2 or 4 years falls under this requirement.
• 10-Year Resident Card (CR - Carte de Résident): Application for a long-term residence permit valid for 10 years, generally after at least 5 years of legal residence in France.
• Application for French Naturalization: Acquisition of French nationality, whether by decree (file submitted to the Prefecture) or by marriage. In this case, the "NAT" version of the civic exam applies, sometimes with a slightly higher difficulty level.

In short, if you are applying for a multi-year permit, a 10-year resident card, or French nationality, you must attach a certificate of achievement for the civic exam to your file. Without this certificate, the Prefecture will refuse or put your application on hold. Note that the certificate of achievement has no expiration date: once obtained, it remains valid for future procedures. For example, if you pass the civic test for your residence permit and later apply for naturalization, you will not have to retake the exam (the initial certificate will suffice).

Who is Exempt from the Civic Exam?

Certain categories of people benefit from an exemption and do not have to pass this mandatory civic test:

• People aged 65 and over – By age derogation, seniors are not required to take the exam.
• Talent Passport Holders – Foreigners arriving in France with a "Passeport Talent" visa or title (highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs, artists, etc.) as well as their immediate family are exempt during their first multi-year permit application. This measure aims to maintain France's attractiveness to international talent.
• Beneficiaries of International Protection – Statutory refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and stateless persons are not subject to the civic exam to obtain their status or residence permit.
• Permit Renewals – If you are merely renewing a multi-year permit or resident card obtained before 2026, the exam is not required (it only concerns first-time applications).
• Holders of 1-Year Temporary Residence Permits (CST) – Visas and temporary residence permits valid for one year (studies, internships, seasonal work, etc.) do not require a civic test for their initial issuance.
• Specific Health or Disability Cases – In case of proven incapacity (severe disability, major health problem) making it impossible to take the test, a medical exemption can be granted upon presentation of compliant certificates. Exam accommodations (extra time, assistance) are also provided for persons with disabilities who request them.

Civic Exam Format

Format details: The civic exam is a 40-question multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) in French. The maximum duration is 45 minutes. Of the 4 options proposed per question, only one is correct. There are no negative points for wrong answers (an error does not penalize you further, it simply counts as 0). To succeed, the requirement is the same regardless of your profile: minimum 32 correct answers, i.e., a score of 80%.

Types of questions: The MCQ includes both knowledge questions and scenario-based questions:

• Knowledge Questions (28 questions): These relate to factual or theoretical notions about France. For example: "What is the capital of France?", "Who is the Head of State in France?", "In what year did the French Revolution take place?". These verify your basic knowledge of history, institutions, general culture, etc.
• Scenario-Based Questions (12 questions): These items describe daily life scenarios in France and ask what attitude to adopt or what rule applies. For example: "If your child is sick on a school day, what must you do?" (Expected answer: notify the school and potentially provide a medical certificate). Or: "You find a job while receiving unemployment benefits, what step must you take?". These evaluate your practical understanding of customs and obligations in France.

Language Level Required: The exam is entirely in French, without translation. It does not directly evaluate your grammar or spelling, but you must have a sufficient level of comprehension (A2 minimum recommended, ideally B1) to grasp the meaning of the questions. The phrasing remains simple and administrative but accessible, avoiding overly technical vocabulary.

Difficulty Level: The content is generally "general knowledge" about France. However, there may be slight adjustments depending on the type of application:

• For a Multi-year Residence Permit (CSP), questions focus on essential basics, often oriented towards daily life and key concepts.
• For a 10-Year Resident Card (CR) or Naturalization, the level is sometimes slightly deeper. You may be asked more precise historical questions or details on how institutions function. For example, a candidate for naturalization might have a sharper question on the French Constitution or the European Union than a candidate for a first residence permit.

In all cases, the format remains identical (40 MCQs, 45 minutes, 80% required) and the themes are common to all. Do not worry unduly: with good preparation, the test is designed to be passed by the majority of candidates.

Official Themes of the Civic MCQ

The Ministry of the Interior has defined five major official themes that structure all the questions. To maximize your chances, it is essential to review each of these subjects:

Practical Steps and Registration

Where to take the exam? The civic test takes place in person at one of the state-accredited examination centers. It is currently not possible to take it online from home. You must physically go to the selected center on the day of the exam. These centers are distributed throughout French territory (mainland and overseas) and include universities, training centers, Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI), or France Éducation International (FEI) centers.

Registration: Registration is not automatic. Unless the OFII organizes the test at the end of your civic training, it is generally up to you to register with a center. Two main operators coordinate registrations:

• The Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris (CCIP) via its department Le français des affaires.
• France Éducation International (FEI), a public body supervising the test organization nationwide.

In practice, as soon as you feel ready (after your OFII civic training if you are a newcomer), register without delay for an available session. The registration fee is set by the organizing centers: expect approximately €70 per attempt (indicative amount which may vary slightly by center and region). Payment is made either online during booking or via methods indicated by the center.

Once registered, you will receive a convocation mentioning the date, time, and address. On the day of the exam, bring this printed convocation and a valid ID. Arrive about 15 minutes early for identity checks. A supervisor will seat you at a computer or tablet and briefly explain how the MCQ works.

After the exam: You will not know your score immediately. Results are validated and communicated to you in the following days. In case of success (32/40 or more), you will receive an official Certificate of Achievement issued by the organization (often by email/PDF).

If unfortunately, you did not reach 32 correct answers, no certificate is provided. You will, however, get a score report or a certificate of participation. You will then need to retake the exam later for another chance at success. The number of attempts is not limited, but each attempt will cost you the registration fees again.

The Certificate and Next Steps

Passing the civic exam is not an end in itself, but a key step in your integration journey. Once you have obtained the certificate:

• Add it to your file when submitting your application to the Prefecture (residence permit or naturalization). It is a required official document, just like the French language certificate (Level B1 or B2 depending on the case) or other supporting documents.
• Use your knowledge: The information learned for the exam will be useful daily. You now know better how French society works, what your rights and duties are, and the values of your host country.
• Prepare for the next step (if naturalizing): If you are aiming for citizenship, the civic exam only validates written knowledge. You will subsequently have an individual naturalization interview with a civil status officer where you may be asked questions on the same themes, orally. The good news is that your revisions for the MCQ will have also prepared you for this interview.

In short, the civic exam should be seen as an investment in your future in France. It consolidates your knowledge of the country and encourages you to embrace Republican principles. The process may seem demanding, but it ensures that every new member of the national community masters the essential benchmarks. Good luck to everyone for your 2026 civic exam, and welcome to France!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the civic exam difficult?

The test level is considered manageable if you have seriously prepared the program themes. The questions are general knowledge and common sense regarding life in France. The majority of candidates pass on the first try after attending the OFII civic training and doing some personal revision. However, showing up without preparation can expose you to specific questions (e.g., dates or administrative acronyms) where you risk making mistakes. The 80% threshold (32/40) does not leave much room for improvisation.

Is the content of the test identical for everyone?

Yes and no. The format (40 MCQs, 45 minutes) and themes are identical for all candidates, but the exact questions vary from one session to another. There is a large bank of official questions from which the system draws randomly. For naturalization candidates, the question bank includes more detailed items (marked 'NAT'), whereas for a first residence permit, the questions are generally slightly simpler.

Can we know the questions in advance?

The Ministry of the Interior has published the official list of knowledge questions (excluding scenarios) that may appear on the civic exam—approximately 200 potential questions. This list is accessible on the website formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. However, the 12 scenario-based questions are not disclosed to preserve the practical evaluation effect. There is no single 'model questionnaire' or secret document guaranteeing the exact 40 questions of your session.

Is the civic test organized by the OFII the same exam?

Yes. There are not several different civic exams: it is a unique national exam. It is sometimes called the 'OFII civic test' because the OFII administers the exam to CIR signatories at the end of civic training. But whether you take the test via the OFII or register yourself with the CCIP/FEI, the content and validity of the certificate are identical.

Will Talent Passport holders have to take the test later?

To date, no, not for the residence permit: Talent Passport beneficiaries (and their families) are permanently exempt from the civic exam for obtaining their multi-year card. However, if a Talent Passport holder wishes to apply for French nationality after a few years, they will then have to pass the civic exam like all naturalization candidates.

What is the difference with the naturalization interview?

The assimilation interview at the Prefecture, mandatory for naturalization, is an oral exchange with a civil status officer. The civic exam is a standardized written MCQ taken before submitting the file. Having passed the civic exam will help you for the interview, as you will have already acquired the requested knowledge. But one does not replace the other: you must pass the MCQ and convince orally.