The examen civique is France’s civics test for naturalisation, in force since 1 January 2026. It covers five topics: the Republic’s values and symbols, its institutions, rights and duties, history and geography, and everyday life in French society. Below are five paraphrased sample questions, one per topic, each with the correct answer and a brief explanation. All examples are derived from the official knowledge question list published by the Ministère de l’Intérieur.
The real exam is in French. These examples are English paraphrases of source topics to show you the kind of knowledge tested.
What kinds of questions appear on the examen civique?
The 40-question mock exam draws from five graded topic areas. History, geography and culture has the largest share at 13 questions. Institutions and politics accounts for 8, everyday life in French society for 7, and values and rights and duties for 6 each. The sample questions below follow that order from heaviest to lightest.
What do history and culture questions look like?
History and culture questions ask about key dates, figures and events in French history. For example:
Which of the following figures served as the first president of the Fifth Republic?
- A. Léon Blum
- B. Jean Jaurès
- C. Georges Clemenceau
- D. Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle was the first president of the Fifth Republic, from 1959 to 1969. The Fifth Republic dates from 1958, when the current Constitution was adopted. The other figures were prominent in earlier periods of French political life and never held that office.
What do institution and politics questions look like?
These questions cover the separation of powers, elections and how French government is organised. For example:
How is the Prime Minister of France designated?
- A. Elected directly by citizens in a national vote
- B. Elected by deputies of the National Assembly
- C. Appointed by the President of the Republic
- D. Chosen by the Constitutional Council
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of the Republic, not elected by citizens. The Prime Minister then leads the government and is responsible to the National Assembly.
What do questions about everyday life in France test?
These questions cover practical civic life: housing, health, family, employment and administrative steps. For example:
Where in France must the birth of a child be officially registered?
- A. At the prefecture of the home department
- B. At the nearest police station
- C. At the family allowance office (CAF)
- D. At the town hall (mairie) of the place of birth
A birth must be declared to the registrar at the town hall of the municipality where the child was born, within five days of the birth. That office issues the official birth certificate.
What do values and symbols questions look like?
These questions test knowledge of the Republic’s founding principles, national symbols and the meaning of laïcité. For example:
How does the 1958 Constitution describe France?
- A. A federal, religious and hereditary Republic
- B. An indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic
- C. A monarchical, parliamentary and confederal Republic
- D. A communal, military and regional Republic
Article 1 of the 1958 Constitution states that France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic. This is why laïcité, the principle of secularism, is a constitutional requirement rather than a policy preference.
What do rights and duties questions look like?
Rights and duties questions draw on foundational texts and the legal obligations of people living in France. For example:
Which statement appears in the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen?
- A. “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”
- B. “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights”
- C. “Workers of the world, unite”
- D. “Property is theft”
Article 1 of the 1789 Declaration opens: “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” The republican motto “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” comes from the same revolutionary era but does not appear in that text.
What score do you need to pass?
You need at least 32 of 40 correct to pass the examen civique, which is 80 percent. The time limit is 45 minutes. There is no minimum required for any single topic, so strong performance in history and institutions, the two heaviest sections, can compensate for weaker areas elsewhere. Practising regularly across all five topics is the most reliable way to reach 80 percent.
The RiverMap Learning app covers the full official knowledge question list, with explanations available in French and English and a timed 40-question mock scored at the real 32/40 pass mark.