Coq CiviqueFrench civic exam: free practice with the official questions
Since 1 January 2026, many foreign nationals must pass the examen civique, a multiple-choice test in French on the values, institutions and daily life of France. Coq Civique helps you prepare for free.
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The exam at a glance
| Who | Applicants for a first multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle), a first resident card (carte de résident), and naturalisation applicants |
|---|---|
| Format | 40 multiple-choice questions in French: 28 knowledge questions and 12 everyday-life scenarios (mises en situation) |
| Duration | 45 minutes maximum, on a tablet or computer, in an approved test centre |
| Pass mark | 32 correct answers out of 40 (80%) |
| Retakes | As many times as needed; the pass certificate does not expire |
Which list of questions should you study?
The 28 knowledge questions come from the official list for your procedure, published by the French Ministry of the Interior. Many questions are shared between the three lists.
- Multi-year residence permit (CSP): 191 questions
- Resident card (CR): 209 questions
- Naturalisation: 259 questions
The 12 scenario questions are not published. Practise with our corrected scenarios (in French).
How Coq Civique helps
- Every official question with a clear answer, in French, as on exam day.
- Short lessons, like a language app: read the answers, then a quick quiz; the questions you miss come back until you know them. A daily goal and a streak keep you going.
- Flashcards that bring back the questions you get wrong.
- Multiple-choice quiz with four options and an explanation.
- Mock exam in the official format: 28 questions from your list and 12 scenarios, 45 minutes.
- English help (and Arabic help, بالعربية): in the practice app, tap “EN” to see each question, answer and explanation in English. The French text stays on screen, because the exam itself is in French. The mock exam stays in French only, like the real one; the English help comes back in its correction.
- Printable PDF booklets for each list, and an app that works offline on iPhone and Android.
Everything is free. Your progress is linked to your email address, with no password.
Ready in 7 days
- Day 1: Principles and values of the Republic
- Day 2: Institutions and politics
- Day 3: Rights and duties
- Day 4: History, geography and culture
- Day 5: Living in French society
- Day 6: Two mock exams, then review your mistakes
- Day 7: A last mock exam and the scenario method
Full plan (in French): Préparer l’examen civique en 7 jours.
French language level
Besides the civic exam, a minimum level of French is required: A2 for a first multi-year residence permit, B1 for a first resident card (for applicants under 65), and B2 for naturalisation. Details and accepted diplomas: niveau de français exigé.
Registering for the exam
The exam is run by two organisations approved by the Ministry of the Interior: the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce (CCIP) and France Éducation International (FEI). Fees are set by each centre. Beware of websites selling “the real exam answers”: the ministry warns against fraud. Coq Civique is free and sells nothing. More: s’inscrire à l’examen civique.
Frequently asked questions
Is the exam in English?
No. The exam is in French only. That is why we recommend practising the questions in French, using the English explanations only to understand.
Is Coq Civique official?
No. Coq Civique is an independent and free website, not affiliated with the French Ministry of the Interior. The questions come from the official lists; the answers are written by Coq Civique.
Who made Coq Civique?
Jovan, who also has to take the civic exam. He built the tool to get ready in 7 days with his family, and shares it for free. Read the story (in French).
Official sources: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr · service-public.fr