Last updated: October 25, 2026 · Checked against service-public.fr
There isn’t one French civic exam. There are three.
The format and the pass mark are identical. But each one is tied to a specific application, and a certificate from one doesn’t replace another. People who passed the exam for their residence card and then apply for citizenship sometimes find out the hard way.
The three versions of the civic exam
When you register, you choose a “mention”. It decides which question list you’ll be tested on and which application the certificate is valid for.
| Mention | What it’s for | French level also required |
|---|---|---|
| Carte de séjour pluriannuelle (CSP) | A first multi-year residence permit | A2 |
| Carte de résident (CR) | A first resident card, valid 10 years | B1 |
| Naturalisation | French citizenship by decree, and reintegration | B2, spoken and written |
The language level in the right column is a separate requirement, proven with its own test or diploma. It isn’t part of the civic exam, but it climbs with each step.
What stays the same
The rules of the game don’t change between versions:
- 40 multiple-choice questions in French, one right answer out of four
- 28 knowledge questions and 12 situational ones
- 45 minutes maximum
- 32 correct answers to pass
- the same five themes, in the same proportions
The full breakdown is in our civic exam guide.
What changes: the question lists
Each mention has its own official list of knowledge questions, published on formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. The naturalization list goes further than the residence permit lists, with more detail on institutions and history.
So if you studied for your resident card a few years ago, don’t assume you’re ready. Download the naturalization list and take our practice test. The gap is usually in history dates and the finer points of how institutions work.
“I already passed it for my residence card”
That certificate covers your residence card. For French citizenship, you need to pass the naturalization version.
The upside: the format won’t surprise you, and the values questions overlap a lot. For most people in this situation, a few weeks of targeted work is enough.
Which one do you need right now?
Ask yourself one question: what are you about to file?
- A first multi-year residence permit: the CSP mention.
- A first resident card: the CR mention.
- French citizenship by decree: the Naturalisation mention.
- Citizenship by declaration, for example through marriage: no civic exam. Service-public.fr states that declarations aren’t concerned.
- A renewal of a card you already hold: no civic exam.
For residence permits, renewals aren’t covered and people over 65 are exempt. Check who is exempt from the civic exam, then see how to register and what it costs.
Heading for citizenship? The free Starter Kit explains the civic exam, the B2 French rule and the documents to prepare. Send me the free PDF
Frequently asked questions
Is the civic exam for citizenship harder than for a residence card?
The format is identical. The difference is the official list of knowledge questions, which is more demanding for naturalization, with more detail on history and institutions.
Can I use my resident card civic exam certificate for naturalization?
No. Each certificate is tied to its mention. For citizenship, you need the naturalization version.
Is the B2 French requirement part of the civic exam?
No. B2 French is a separate requirement for naturalization, proven with an accepted language test or diploma. You need both.