Examen civique 2026 Preparation

The Examen civique is designed to assess your knowledge of how French society works, its principles, and its values. Since 1 January 2026, it has been compulsory for anyone applying for the first time for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle (multi-year residence permit), a carte de résident (resident's card), or French naturalisation. What does the exam involve? Where do you register? How do you pass it? Here is everything you need to know to prepare for the Examen civique in 2026.

What is the Examen civique?

The Examen civique is an official assessment designed to test candidates' knowledge of the principles and values of the French Republic, as well as how its institutions work. It is aimed at people applying for the first time for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle, a carte de résident, or French naturalisation.

The exam therefore exists at three different levels:

  • the Examen civique for carte de séjour pluriannuelle;
  • the Examen civique for carte de résident;
  • the Examen civique for naturalisation.

Once obtained, the Examen civique pass certificate is valid for life. It is one of the required documents you must submit with your application.

How the exam works

The Examen civique lasts a maximum of 45 minutes. It takes the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire with 40 questions written in French. For each question, 4 possible answers are provided, but only one is correct. Incorrect answers are not penalised.

The 40 questions cover 5 main topics:

  • Principles and values of the Republic;
  • Institutional and political system;
  • Rights and duties;
  • History, geography, and culture;
  • Living in French society.

The questions are divided into two categories: 28 knowledge-based questions and 12 scenario-based questions.

The 28 knowledge-based questions are drawn at random from the official lists published by the ministère de l'Intérieur. For example, they may include the following (with 4 possible answers, only one of which is correct):

  • What is the motto of the French Republic?
  • Who is elected in municipal elections?
  • What is freedom of expression?
  • In what year did the euro become the currency used in France?
  • Which form of marriage is recognised by the State?

The 12 scenario-based questions are designed to test how you apply your knowledge in a specific context. You must choose the most appropriate answer in response to a real-life situation. These questions are confidential and are not officially published.

For example: A woman is paid less than a man for the same job at a company. According to the values and laws of the French Republic, this situation is:

A: A normal practice in certain sectors.
B: Part of a company's freedom of organisation.
C: An inequality prohibited by law.
D: Regrettable but not an offence.

Explanation: equality between women and men is guaranteed by law. For equal work, a woman and a man must receive equal pay.

Understanding the marking

To obtain the Examen civique pass certificate, you must answer at least 32 out of 40 questions correctly — that is, 80% of questions, regardless of which level of the exam you are taking.

If you do not pass, you can retake the Examen civique at any time and as many times as needed.

How to prepare for the Examen civique

To prepare for the Examen civique, start by consulting the official resources from the ministère de l'Intérieur, in particular the topic sheets and the official list of knowledge-based questions. These documents will help you identify the key concepts to master and familiarise yourself with the types of questions asked.
The best approach is then to revise topic by topic. To practise effectively, PrepMyFuture offers Examen civique preparation based strictly on the official questions. The method is designed to prepare you directly for the exam format, with targeted work on the topics and questions likely to come up.
Each topic is covered through comprehensive lessons and exercises with detailed answer explanations, helping you understand the key concepts, the expected reasoning, and the mistakes to avoid.

Specific practice is also provided for the scenario-based questions. You learn to analyse a real-life situation, identify the republican principles at stake, and choose the most appropriate answer.
As with TEF IRN preparation or TCF preparation, regular practice is key to absorbing the knowledge being tested.

How to register for the Examen civique

You can register for the Examen civique online through one of the two organisations approved by the ministère de l'Intérieur:

  • the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (online registration);
  • France Éducation International (online registration).

Whichever organisation you choose, make sure you select the correct designation for your situation: carte de séjour pluriannuelle, carte de résident, or naturalisation.

Once your registration is confirmed, the examination centre will send you the practical details by e-mail: the date, time, location, and the documents you need to bring on the day.

The registration fees for the Examen civique vary depending on the centre, but are generally between €60 and €90.

It is also worth registering in good time. Waiting times for a place vary depending on the centre and the time of year. If you need the certificate quickly for your application, book a session as soon as possible to avoid any delays.

Where to take the Examen civique

The Examen civique is taken at one of the many centres approved by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP) or by France Éducation International (FEI). Centres are available throughout mainland France and in overseas territories.
Each centre runs its own sessions. Check the available dates, registration procedures, fees, and instructions for the day of the exam.

Whether you take the Examen civique through the CCIP or FEI, the exam is conducted on a digital device (tablet or computer).

Why take the Examen civique?

Since 1 January 2026, the Examen civique has been compulsory for anyone applying for the first time for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle, a carte de résident, or French naturalisation. If you pass, you receive a certificate that must be included in your application documents. This certificate shows that you have reached the level of civic knowledge required for your application.

In addition to being a compulsory step, the exam also helps you better understand how French society works. The concepts covered during Examen civique preparation are useful in everyday life, whether it is understanding your rights and duties, identifying the role of institutions, or knowing how to respond in certain situations.

Tips for passing the Examen civique

When preparing for the Examen civique, do not just memorise the answers. Even though the knowledge-based questions come from the official lists, understanding each concept will help you answer more effectively, particularly the scenario-based questions.

For the scenario-based questions, read the question carefully and look for key words to identify the republican principle involved. If helpful, create vocabulary cards with the most important terms: democracy, equality, freedom, secularism, rights, duties, and so on. Then try to explain each term in your own words.
When reviewing your answers, make sure you understand why one answer is correct and why the other options are not.

Finally, practise several times under exam conditions, answering all 40 questions within 45 minutes. Practising with mock tests will help you manage your time and build the right instincts for the day of the exam!

FAQ

Is the Examen civique compulsory?

Since 1 January 2026, the Examen civique has been compulsory for first-time applications for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle, a carte de résident, or French naturalisation. The pass certificate must be included with your application.

Can you retake the Examen civique if you fail?

If you fail, you can retake the Examen civique as many times as needed. To avoid wasting time, it is advisable to review the topics you found difficult before registering for a new session.

What is civic training?

Civic training is a compulsory 4-day course provided as part of the republican integration contract. It helps foreign nationals admitted to France for the first time to better understand the values of the Republic, how its institutions work, and their rights and duties.