Are you an English speaker preparing for France’s civic exam (examen civique)? You’re not alone. The exam is entirely in French, and most official materials are written in dense administrative French.
This guide shows you a method that works: understand the concepts in English first, then practice in French. This way, you’ll walk into the exam confident and ready to pass on your first attempt.
Évaluer mon niveau (Test Gratuit)| Format | 40 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes |
| Passing score | 80% minimum (32/40 correct answers) |
| Language | French only (no dictionaries allowed) |
| Exam fee | Around €70 (may vary by center) |
| Question types | 28 knowledge questions + 12 situational questions |
📑 In this guide
Which civic exam do you need?
First, understand that there are 3 levels of civic exam depending on your situation. The difficulty and question bank vary based on the permit you’re applying for.
| Your goal | French level | Questions | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-year residence permit (CSP) | A2 (elementary) | 190 | View guide → |
| 10-year resident card (CR) | B1 (intermediate) | 210 | View guide → |
| French citizenship (naturalization) | B2 (upper-intermediate) | 233 | View guide → |
Note: Some applicants may be exempt (e.g., beneficiaries of international protection, people over 65). Always confirm your situation with official sources.
👉 Read the complete guide on the 2026 law (in French)
The language challenge for English speakers
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the exam is 100% in French, and there’s no English version. The official preparation materials are also in French — written in dense administrative language.
The 3 main difficulties
1. Institutional vocabulary
Terms like suffrage universel, collectivités territoriales, séparation des pouvoirs have no direct English equivalent.
2. Tricky QCM wording
Words like « toujours / jamais » (always/never), « obligatoire / interdit » (mandatory/forbidden), « peut / doit » (can/must) trap many candidates.
3. Time pressure
You have 45 minutes for 40 questions. If you’re mentally translating each question, you’ll run out of time.
The bottom line: The difficulty isn’t necessarily the content — most questions are straightforward once you understand them. The challenge is understanding questions written in administrative French.
The method: understand in English, pass in French
Here’s the strategy that works best for English speakers:
Understand in English → Pass in French
This way, you progress faster and reduce stress on exam day. When you truly understand a concept, you’ll recognize the correct answer even if the wording changes.
Key vocabulary FR-EN (words that appear on the exam)
Learning these terms will help you score points even if your French isn’t perfect. Focus on understanding the concept, not just memorizing the translation.
Values and principles of the Republic
| French | English | On the exam |
|---|---|---|
| La laïcité | Secularism (French-style) | State neutrality, freedom to believe or not |
| Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité | Liberty, Equality, Fraternity | The French Republic’s motto |
| Suffrage universel | Universal suffrage | All citizens can vote |
| Discrimination | Discrimination | Forbidden in employment, housing, services |
| Égalité femmes-hommes | Gender equality | Constitutional principle in France |
Institutions and administration
| French | English | On the exam |
|---|---|---|
| Président de la République | President of the Republic | Head of state, elected for 5 years |
| Assemblée nationale | National Assembly | Lower house, votes on laws |
| Sénat | Senate | Upper house, represents territories |
| Préfecture | Prefecture | Where you apply for residence permits |
| Mairie | Town hall / City hall | Local municipal services |
| Impôts | Taxes | Duty to declare and pay |
Daily life and rights
| French | English | On the exam |
|---|---|---|
| Sécurité sociale | Social Security | Healthcare, retirement benefits |
| École obligatoire | Compulsory education | Ages 3 to 16 in France |
| Contrat de travail | Employment contract | CDI (permanent), CDD (fixed-term) |
| Carte Vitale | Health insurance card | Access to reimbursed healthcare |
👉 View all study sheets with translations
The 5 official themes explained in English
The exam covers five themes defined by French authorities. Here’s what each one includes.
-
1️⃣ Principles and values of the Republic
The French motto (Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité), national symbols (flag, Marianne, La Marseillaise), laïcité (secularism), gender equality, anti-discrimination. -
2️⃣ Institutional and political system
The President, Government, Parliament (National Assembly + Senate), local authorities (regions, departments, municipalities), the European Union, the judiciary. -
3️⃣ Rights and duties
Fundamental freedoms, voting rights, respecting the law, paying taxes, situational questions testing your judgment. -
4️⃣ History, geography, and culture
Key dates (1789 Revolution, 1905 secularism law, WWII, 1958 Fifth Republic), French geography, cultural heritage and monuments. -
5️⃣ Living in French society
Education (compulsory schooling), healthcare (Sécurité Sociale), employment rights, housing, family life.
French concepts with no direct English equivalent
Some French concepts don’t translate perfectly into English. Understanding them helps you decode exam questions faster.
Laïcité
Often translated as « secularism, » but in France it refers to a specific legal framework (1905 law):
- The state doesn’t promote any religion
- Public services are religiously neutral
- Public schools are secular
- Everyone is free to believe or not
Collectivités territoriales
France’s administrative layers don’t map perfectly to UK/US systems:
- Commune: smallest unit, led by a mayor
- Département: intermediate (like a county)
- Région: largest local level
Fraternité
More than « brotherhood » — it implies solidarity and contributing to the common good. This helps explain France’s strong social security system, public healthcare, and redistributive taxation.
Preparation timeline (1, 3, or 6 months)
Choose a timeline based on your deadline. But always follow the same order: understand concepts → learn vocabulary → practice questions.
🚀 1 month (urgent)
- 15-20 min/day: vocabulary + mini quizzes
- 2 full mock exams per week
- Review mistakes after each test
🧘 3 months (recommended)
- Month 1: Understand (English podcasts)
- Month 2: Learn French vocabulary
- Month 3: Intensive MCQ practice
📚 6 months (if French is weak)
- Slow, steady progress
- Spaced repetition (better retention)
- Time to improve general French
English resources available on Parcours Civique
What Parcours Civique offers in English
We’re the only platform offering comprehensive English support for France’s civic exam.
- 120+ Podcasts
All 5 themes explained in English.
- 66 Bilingual sheets
FR-EN vocabulary integrated.
- FR-EN Glossary
400+ terms translated.
- 633 MCQs
Practice in real conditions.
All content created by professional trainers and translators (human-made, not AI).
Frequently asked questions
No. The exam is conducted entirely in French. There is no English version, and you cannot use dictionaries or translation tools during the test.
The level depends on your permit: A2 for multi-year residence (CSP), B1 for 10-year card (CR), and B2 for naturalization. Regardless of level, you’ll need specific civic vocabulary.
80% — that’s 32 correct answers out of 40 questions.
Around €70 (fees may vary by test center). You pay again for each attempt.
You can retake the exam with no limit on attempts. However, you’ll need to pay the registration fee again.
Some UK nationals may be exempt depending on their residence status. Always confirm with official guidance for your specific situation.
No. The civic exam is a written MCQ test. The naturalization interview (entretien d’assimilation) is an oral meeting at the Prefecture. For citizenship applicants, both are required.
Currently, the certificate has no expiration date. However, always check official sources for updates.
Ready to start preparing?
Test your level for free, then follow a clear method to pass on your first attempt.
Explore our guides by level
190 questions, elementary level.
📄 10-year card (B1)210 questions, intermediate level.
🇫🇷 Citizenship (B2)233 questions, upper-intermediate level.
Last updated: February 2026