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French civic exam practice test: 20 free questions in English

Checked on November 13, 2026

This free practice test helps you prepare for France’s examen civique in English. It has 20 questions: 14 knowledge questions and 6 everyday scenarios, the same 70/30 mix as the real exam. To pass, you need 16 correct answers (80%), the same pass mark as the real test, where you need 32 out of 40. Answer every question, then click “Check my answers” to see your score and an explanation for each answer.

Where the questions come from. The knowledge questions are adapted and translated from the official Liste officielle des questions de connaissance – CSP (multi-year residence card), published by the French Ministry of the Interior under the Licence Ouverte etalab-2.0. The ministry does not publish answers: the answers and explanations are written by Examen Civique Test, with the legal reference where there is one. The scenarios are practice items we wrote ourselves, because the official scenarios (“mises en situation”) are not published.

Remember: the real exam is in French. Once you know the content, take our full 40-question mock exam in French, which follows the official theme split. Read the guide to the French civic exam in English for who must take it, the cost and how to book.

14 knowledge questions adapted from the official CSP question list (French Ministry of the Interior, Licence Ouverte etalab-2.0) and 6 practice scenarios written by Examen Civique Test. Answers and explanations: Examen Civique Test.

20 questions Pass mark: 16/20 Time limit: 23 min

Question 1 of 20What is the motto of the French Republic? Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité) Work, Family, Homeland (Travail, Famille, Patrie) Order and Progress Unity, Peace, Justice

Explanation: Article 2 of the 1958 Constitution: « La devise de la République est “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” ». « Travail, Famille, Patrie » was the motto of the Vichy regime.

Question 2 of 20What is the name of the French national anthem? The Ode to Joy La Marseillaise Le Chant du départ La Carmagnole

Explanation: Article 2 of the Constitution names La Marseillaise as the national anthem. It was written by Rouget de Lisle in 1792. The Ode to Joy is the anthem of the European Union.

Question 3 of 20In which year was the law separating the Churches and the State passed? 1789 1958 1905 1848

Explanation: The law of 9 December 1905 separates the Churches and the State. It protects freedom of conscience, and the Republic neither recognises nor funds any religion.

Question 4 of 20Scenario: a visitor asks a town-hall receptionist why she does not wear religious symbols at work. What is the correct explanation? Public employees must stay religiously neutral while on duty Religious symbols are banned everywhere in France It is the mayor’s personal rule There is no rule, it is only a personal choice

Explanation: Public employees have a duty of neutrality: they do not display their religious beliefs while working (Code général de la fonction publique, art. L121-2). Members of the public remain free to practise their religion.

Question 5 of 20Scenario: your neighbour wants to apply for a team-leader job. Her brother says the job is “for men only”. What does the law say? He is right if the employer agrees She needs her husband’s permission first It depends on the region He is wrong: refusing a job because of someone’s sex is unlawful discrimination

Explanation: Equality between women and men is a principle of the Republic. The Labour Code forbids refusing to hire or promote someone because of their sex (articles L1132-1 and L1142-1).

Question 6 of 20Scenario: a neighbour says it is a crime to criticise a religion in France. Is he right? Yes, it is always a crime Yes, except online No: you may criticise a religion, but insulting people or inciting hatred against them because of their religion is punished No, and inciting violence is allowed too

Explanation: Blasphemy is not an offence in France: criticising religions is part of freedom of expression. Insults and incitement to hatred or violence against people because of their religion are punished (law of 29 July 1881).

Question 7 of 20From what age can a French citizen vote? 16 21 18 25

Explanation: French citizens can vote from 18 if they are on the electoral roll. EU citizens living in France can vote in municipal and European elections.

Question 8 of 20For how long is the President of the Republic elected? 4 years 5 years 7 years 6 years

Explanation: Article 6 of the Constitution: the President is elected for five years by direct universal suffrage, and no one may serve more than two consecutive terms.

Question 9 of 20Who appoints the Prime Minister? The National Assembly The Senate The voters, in an election The President of the Republic

Explanation: Article 8 of the Constitution: « Le Président de la République nomme le Premier ministre. » The Prime Minister then directs the work of the Government.

Question 10 of 20When was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen adopted? 1789 1815 1905 1946

Explanation: It was adopted on 26 August 1789, during the French Revolution. The preamble of the 1958 Constitution refers to it, so it has constitutional value.

Question 11 of 20Is the death penalty legal in France? Yes, for murder No: it was abolished in 1981 and the Constitution forbids it Only in wartime Only for terrorism

Explanation: The death penalty was abolished in 1981. Since 2007 the Constitution states: « Nul ne peut être condamné à la peine de mort » (article 66-1).

Question 12 of 20Scenario: you see a road accident. A cyclist is injured and not moving. What should you do? Leave, it is none of your business Film it for social media Take the injured person to your home Call the emergency services (15, 18 or 112) and help if you can do so safely

Explanation: Failing to help a person in danger when you could do so without risk is an offence (article 223-6 of the Code pénal). 15 is the SAMU (medical), 18 the fire brigade, 112 the European emergency number.

Question 13 of 20Scenario: a neighbour tells you her husband hits her. What do you advise? To keep quiet, it is a family matter To call 17 if she is in danger, file a complaint and call 3919, the free helpline To wait and see To let a religious leader decide

Explanation: Domestic violence is punished by law. In immediate danger, call 17 (police) or 112. 3919 is a free and anonymous helpline for women who are victims of violence.

Question 14 of 20Scenario: in the street, a police officer asks for your ID and residence permit. What do you do? Refuse, he has no right to ask Run away Show your documents; if you think the check was abusive, report it afterwards Ask a passer-by to answer for you

Explanation: Everyone in France must accept an identity check carried out under the law (article 78-1 of the Code de procédure pénale), and a foreign national must be able to show a residence permit. An abusive check can be reported, for example to the Défenseur des droits.

Question 15 of 20When did the French Revolution begin? 1789 1515 1870 1914

Explanation: The French Revolution began in 1789, with the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. It ended absolute monarchy.

Question 16 of 20Who founded the Fifth Republic? Napoleon Bonaparte Charles de Gaulle François Mitterrand Jean Jaurès

Explanation: Back in power in 1958, General de Gaulle had the Constitution of 4 October 1958 adopted, which created the Fifth Republic. He became its first president.

Question 17 of 20Which mountain range lies between France and Italy? The Pyrenees The Vosges The Alps The Massif Central

Explanation: The Alps separate France from Italy. Mont Blanc, the highest peak in France, is there. The Pyrenees lie between France and Spain.

Question 18 of 20Who was Molière? A 17th-century playwright and actor A king of France An impressionist painter A general of the Revolution

Explanation: Molière (1622-1673) wrote comedies such as L’Avare and Le Bourgeois gentilhomme. French is sometimes called « la langue de Molière ».

Question 19 of 20Which emergency number reaches the SAMU (medical emergencies)? 17 18 114 15

Explanation: 15 is the SAMU, 17 the police or gendarmerie, 18 the fire brigade. 112 works across the EU, and 114 lets you text if you cannot speak.

Question 20 of 20What is the legal working week for a full-time job in France? 39 hours 35 hours 40 hours 48 hours

Explanation: The legal working time is 35 hours a week for full-time employees (article L3121-27 of the Code du travail). Hours beyond that are overtime, paid at a higher rate or compensated with time off.

Sources: Liste officielle des questions de connaissance – CSP (etalab-2.0); English translation, answers, explanations and scenarios: Examen Civique Test — Ministère de l’Intérieur (DGEF)

Frequently asked questions

Is the real French civic exam in English?

No. The examen civique is in French only: 40 multiple-choice questions on a tablet or computer. Use this English test to learn the content, then practise in French.

What score do I need to pass the French civic exam?

At least 32 correct answers out of 40 (80%), within 45 minutes. This practice test uses the same 80% mark: 16 out of 20.

Are these the official exam questions?

The 14 knowledge questions are adapted from the official CSP question list published by the Ministry of the Interior. The ministry publishes no answers, so the answers and explanations are ours. The 6 scenarios are our own practice items.

Sources

Liste officielle des questions de connaissance – CSP (Licence Ouverte etalab-2.0) — Ministère de l’Intérieur
Arrêté du 10 octobre 2025 (programme and format of the examen civique) — Légifrance
Informations générales sur l’examen civique — Ministère de l’Intérieur