🇫🇷 Examen Civique 2026
If you are applying for French naturalisation or a multi-year residence permit, you now have to pass a civic exam, the examen civique. Almost every guide to it is written in French, which is a problem when French is the language you are still learning. This page explains the whole thing in plain English: what the exam is, who has to take it, exactly what is on it, and how to prepare, including free practice.
The examen civique is a 40-question test on French civic knowledge. You need 32 correct out of 40 (80%) to pass, and the questions come from the official Livret du citoyen. It is required for naturalisation, the carte de résident, and the multi-year carte de séjour pluriannuelle.
The examen civique is France's civic knowledge test for people becoming French or securing long-term residence. It checks that you understand the values, institutions, rights, duties, and history of the French Republic, the things a resident and future citizen is expected to know. It is separate from the French language requirement, but most people face both at the same time, which is why preparing for the exam and improving your French go hand in hand.
You will generally need to pass the examen civique if you are applying for:
If any of these is your path, the civic exam is now part of it. Requirements can vary by situation and can change, so always confirm the current rules for your specific application on the official government channels before you rely on any single guide.
The questions are not trick questions, but they are specific. “What is the motto of the French Republic?” or “What does Marianne represent?” are the kind of thing you are expected to know cold. The people who fail usually fail because they never practised in the real format, not because the material is hard.
The single most effective way to prepare is to practise real questions in the exact exam format, review why each answer is right, and then take timed mock exams until 80% is comfortable. Reading the Livret du citoyen once is not enough, you need repetition and testing.
Fréquence includes a full examen civique preparation, in English, built into a complete French-learning platform, so you can meet the civic requirement and improve your French in one place.
The first theme is free. You can try the civic exam prep before creating an account and see exactly what exam day looks like. Want a simple reference while you get started with French? Get the free A1 checklist.
The exam is 40 multiple-choice questions, and you need 32 correct (80%) to pass. The questions come from the official Livret du citoyen.
The 2026 format allows 45 minutes for the 40 questions.
Applicants for French naturalisation, the carte de résident, and the multi-year carte de séjour pluriannuelle. Confirm the current requirement for your specific situation on the official government channels.
No. The civic exam tests knowledge of French values, institutions, rights, and history. The language requirement is separate. Most applicants prepare for both, which is why Fréquence combines civic prep with a full French course.
Yes. Fréquence's civic exam prep is written in English for English-speaking applicants, with 333 explained questions and mock exams in the official 2026 format. The first theme is free.
It varies, but most people are ready once they can consistently score 80% or above on full timed mock exams. Short daily practice is more effective than cramming.
Yes. Every question is written from the Livret du citoyen (Ministère de l'Intérieur) and the official knowledge-question lists.