Citizenship Exam Prep
The OFII civic values test for French naturalization: format, topics, how to prepare, and what to expect on exam day. Complete 2026 guide.
The "OFII test civique", as many applicants still call it, is officially the examen civique: the civic knowledge exam that, since 1 January 2026, is required for French naturalisation and for a first multi-year residence card or resident card. Despite the popular name, it is not run by OFII and is not part of the Republican Integration Contract (CIR). If you are on the path to French naturalization, you will encounter this test. Understanding exactly what it covers, how it is scored, and how long you need to prepare removes most of the anxiety around it.
The examen civique is a written multiple-choice exam taken at a centre approved by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP) or France Éducation International. It is separate from the Contrat d'Intégration Républicaine (CIR), the integration contract signed with the Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration (OFII), which includes civic training but not this exam.
The test covers French civic values, history, institutions, and the principles of the Republic. It is not a language test - for naturalisation, French at B2 (spoken and written) is proven separately, with a diploma or a TCF or TEF result less than 2 years old. The examen civique focuses on content knowledge.
The test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, mixing knowledge questions and practical scenarios (mises en situation). The passing score is 32 correct answers out of 40 - an 80% threshold. The Ministry of the Interior publishes official preparation material, including thematic sheets and lists of knowledge questions, on formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr.
The test civique draws questions from five thematic areas, each covering a defined portion of the official guide:
1. French history and geography - key dates, major periods (Revolution, Third Republic, two World Wars, the Fifth Republic), significant historical figures, and basic French geography (regions, rivers, capital). Expect 8 to 10 questions from this area.
2. French institutions - the role of the President, the Prime Minister, the National Assembly, the Senate, the Constitutional Council. How laws are made. The distinction between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Expect 8 to 10 questions.
3. Republican values and principles - liberté, égalité, fraternité. Laïcité (secularism). The meaning and application of these values in French public life. This section tests conceptual understanding, not just memorized dates. Expect 8 to 10 questions.
4. Rights and obligations - citizens' rights (freedom of expression, right to vote, right to education), and the corresponding obligations (obeying the law, paying taxes, jury service). The distinction between rights available to all residents and those reserved for citizens. Expect 6 to 8 questions.
5. French society - education system structure, healthcare system basics, the role of trade unions, and France's place in the European Union. Expect 4 to 6 questions.
The examen civique is taken in person, on a tablet or computer, at a centre approved by the CCIP or France Éducation International. The maximum duration is 45 minutes for 40 questions - just over one minute per question, which is comfortable for anyone who has prepared adequately. Extra time is only granted on medical grounds.
The test is written in French only; there is no translated version. Reading comprehension is therefore part of the challenge, so practise with questions written in French rather than translations.
A passing score (32/40 or above) gives you an attestation de réussite, which has no expiry date and goes into your naturalization or residence card application. If you fail, you can register for another session - there is no limit on the number of attempts, but each failure extends the timeline.
Based on the most commonly missed questions in CivicPass practice sessions, three areas produce the most errors:
Specific dates and numbers. When was the Fifth Republic established? (1958.) How many deputies are in the National Assembly? (577.) These discrete facts are easy to overlook when reading the guide but consistently appear on the test. Active recall practice - being asked the question cold and having to retrieve the answer - is far more effective than re-reading.
The nuances of laïcité. Laïcité is a French-specific concept with precise legal meaning that differs from general "secularism." Questions test the application of laïcité - what it permits, what it prohibits, and where it applies (public institutions, schools) versus where it does not (private life). Candidates who understand laïcité conceptually but have not studied its specific legal scope make errors here.
EU institutions vs. French institutions. The European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the EU have overlapping but distinct roles. Questions that conflate these with French national institutions are a common trap.
Candidates with a strong prior knowledge of French history and institutions - for example, those who attended a French-language school system - typically need 5 to 7 days of focused practice to reach a comfortable score. Candidates coming with limited prior exposure need 3 to 4 weeks of consistent study.
The single most effective preparation method is active recall on the official question list. Reading the official thematic sheets provides context; quiz practice on the actual question types builds the recall that exam performance requires. Using CivicPass for daily 15-minute sessions covering all five topic areas, with spaced repetition on missed questions, is the most time-efficient path to a passing score.
Bring a valid photo ID (passport or residence permit) and your convocation from the exam centre. Arrive 15 minutes early - centres run identity checks and you do not want to start the test rushed.
The test environment is quiet and supervised. You answer on a tablet or computer. There are no calculators, phones, or reference materials permitted. The questions are straightforward if you have prepared - there are no trick questions, only questions that reward genuine knowledge of the material.
If you pass, keep your attestation de réussite - you will need it for your naturalization dossier.
The test civique is achievable for any prepared candidate. The content is defined, the official guide is public, and the 80% threshold leaves room for up to 8 errors on genuinely difficult questions. The candidates who struggle are almost always those who prepared by reading alone rather than by actively practicing recall on the material.
Use the official guide for context, then practice with CivicPass for the active recall that turns passive familiarity into reliable exam performance.