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France Civic Exam Practice (Examen Civique) 2026

Since 1 January 2026, people applying for French nationality by decree must pass a civic exam (examen civique) before they apply. The real exam has 40 multiple-choice questions in French, lasts 45 minutes, and you need 32 correct answers (80%) to pass. These original practice questions in English cover the five official themes: the Republic's values, institutions, rights and duties, history and geography, and daily life in France.

  • Citizenship
  • France
  • 80 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

The French civic exam (examen civique) for naturalisation has 40 questions. Pass mark: 32 correct out of 40 (80%). Time limit: 45 minutes. It is run by Ministry of the Interior; exams run by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce (CCIP) and France Éducation International. Practise here for free with 80 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the France Civic Exam Study Guide (Naturalisation): plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    What is the motto of the French Republic?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

    Article 2 of the Constitution sets the motto 'Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité'. 'Work, Family, Homeland' was the slogan of the Vichy regime, not of the Republic.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What are the colours of the French flag, starting from the side nearest the pole?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Blue, white, red

    The Constitution names the tricolour flag 'bleu, blanc, rouge', with blue nearest the pole.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    What is the national anthem of France?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. La Marseillaise

    Article 2 of the Constitution makes La Marseillaise the national anthem. The Ode to Joy is the anthem of the European Union.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Who wrote La Marseillaise in 1792?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Rouget de Lisle

    Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, an army officer, wrote the song in 1792 as a war song for the Army of the Rhine.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    What does Marianne represent?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The French Republic

    Marianne is a woman wearing a Phrygian cap. She is an official symbol of the Republic and appears in town halls, on stamps and on coins.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    What is the date of France's national day (fête nationale)?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 14 July

    The national day is 14 July. 1 May is Labour Day, 8 May marks victory in 1945 and 11 November marks the 1918 armistice.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Which event of 1789 does 14 July recall?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The storming of the Bastille

    On 14 July 1789 Parisians took the Bastille prison. The national day also recalls the Festival of the Federation held one year later.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Which of these is an unofficial symbol of France?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Gallic rooster

    The rooster is a popular but unofficial symbol. The flag, anthem and motto are official and are written in the Constitution.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    Complete Article 1 of the Constitution: France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and ___ Republic.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. social

    Article 1 says France is 'une République indivisible, laïque, démocratique et sociale'.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Which law of 1905 is the basis of secularism (laïcité) in France?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The law on the separation of the Churches and the State

    The law of 9 December 1905 separated the Churches from the State. The State guarantees freedom of worship but does not recognise or fund any religion.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    What does secularism (laïcité) mean in France?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The State is neutral, and everyone is free to have a religion or none

    Laïcité protects freedom of conscience. The State and public services stay neutral towards all religions.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    What rule applies to staff working in a public service, such as a prefecture?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. They must stay neutral and not show their religious beliefs at work

    Public service staff must respect neutrality so that every user is treated equally, whatever their beliefs.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    In state schools, what is the rule on pupils' religious signs?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pupils may not wear signs or clothing that clearly show their religion

    A 2004 law bans conspicuous religious signs for pupils in state primary and secondary schools.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    What is the language of the Republic?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. French

    Article 2 of the Constitution says 'La langue de la République est le français'.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    Is it allowed to hide your face completely in public spaces in France?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No, a 2010 law bans it, apart from a few exceptions such as health reasons

    Since 2010 no one may wear clothing meant to hide the face in public spaces, except in cases allowed by law, such as health or sport.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    When was the Constitution of the Fifth Republic adopted?
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    Answer: C. 1958

    The current Constitution dates from 4 October 1958. The Fourth Republic (1946–1958) came before it.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Who is the head of State in France?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The President of the Republic

    The President is the head of State. The Prime Minister leads the government.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    How is the President of the Republic elected, and for how long?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. By direct universal suffrage, for 5 years

    Article 6 of the Constitution says the President is elected for five years by direct universal suffrage.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    How many consecutive terms can a President serve?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Two

    Since 2008 the Constitution says no one may serve more than two consecutive terms.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    Who appoints the Prime Minister?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The President of the Republic

    Article 8 says the President appoints the Prime Minister, and the other ministers on the Prime Minister's proposal.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    Which two chambers make up the French Parliament?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The National Assembly and the Senate

    Parliament has two chambers: the National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) and the Senate (Sénat). Together they vote laws.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    What is the maximum number of deputies in the National Assembly?
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    Answer: B. 577

    The Constitution sets a maximum of 577 deputies. The Senate has at most 348 senators.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    How often are deputies to the National Assembly normally elected?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Every 5 years, by direct universal suffrage

    Legislative elections take place every five years, unless the President dissolves the Assembly.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    How are senators chosen?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. By indirect suffrage, by 'grands électeurs' such as mayors and councillors

    Senators are elected indirectly by elected officials. Half of the Senate is renewed every three years.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    Which body checks that laws respect the Constitution?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Constitutional Council (Conseil constitutionnel)

    The Constitutional Council can check laws before they come into force and, on request, after, to make sure they respect the Constitution.

What to know before the test

  • Since 1 January 2026, passing the civic exam is required for naturalisation by decree, and for a first multi-year residence card or resident card.
  • The exam has 40 multiple-choice questions in French: 28 knowledge questions and 12 everyday situations. Each has four options and one correct answer.
  • You have up to 45 minutes on a tablet or computer, and you need at least 32 correct answers (80%) to pass.
  • You can take the exam at any time and as often as you need. The pass certificate does not expire.
  • Since 1 January 2026, applicants for naturalisation must also prove French at level B2 or higher, spoken and written.
  • After you apply, a prefecture interview checks your integration and your support for the Republic's values. You sign the Charter of the rights and duties of the French citizen at the end.
  • The naturalisation application itself costs a €255 tax stamp (€127.50 in French Guiana). You apply online or, in some cases, by post.
  • The usual residence requirement for naturalisation is 5 years. It can be 2 years, for example after 2 years of higher education in France, or waived in some cases such as refugees.

Frequently asked questions

Is the French civic exam in force?

Yes. Since 1 January 2026 you must pass it before you apply for naturalisation by decree, or for a first multi-year residence card or resident card. It is not needed to renew those cards.

How many questions are on the examen civique and what is the pass mark?

There are 40 multiple-choice questions, 28 on knowledge and 12 on everyday situations. You have 45 minutes and need 32 correct answers, which is 80%.

Can I take the civic exam in English?

No. The exam is in French. Naturalisation also requires French at level B2 or higher, so preparing in French is important.

What if I fail the civic exam?

You can take it again at any time, as many times as you need. Once you pass, the certificate has no expiry date.

Do I need the civic exam to become French through marriage?

The official pages list the civic exam for naturalisation and reinstatement by decree. Nationality by marriage is a separate declaration with its own interview, so check the official page for your case.

Where can I study for the civic exam?

The Ministry of the Interior's free site formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr has the programme, fact sheets on each theme and official lists of knowledge questions. The Livret du citoyen also helps you prepare for the prefecture interview.

Sources

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