Civic exam
Civic exam questions for the multi-year residence permit
The whole official list for the multi-year permit level, theme by theme, with the right answer in green and the text where it can be checked.
Independent site, not linked to the French Interior Ministry, the préfectures or the exam centres.
1.What does 14 July correspond to?
- · The armistice ending the First World War
- · The end of the Second World War
- ✓ Answer: France's national holiday
- · The first day of the school holidays
14 July has been France's national holiday since 1880. It recalls the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 and the Fête de la Fédération on 14 July 1790.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La fête nationale »
2.Which of these is one of the symbols of the French Republic?
- · The Eiffel Tower
- ✓ Answer: The blue, white and red flag
- · The fleur-de-lis
- · The lion
The tricolour flag is one of the official symbols of the Republic, along with Marianne, the motto, the national anthem and 14 July. The fleur-de-lis was an emblem of the monarchy.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « Les symboles de la République »
3.The principle of equality means that:
- · Everyone earns the same salary
- · Only French citizens have rights
- ✓ Answer: Everyone is equal before the law
- · Men have more rights than women
Equality, written into the 1789 Declaration and the Constitution, means that the law is the same for everyone, whatever their origin, sex or religion.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « L’égalité (1/3) »
4."Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity) is:
- · The title of the national anthem
- ✓ Answer: The motto of the French Republic
- · The name of a political party
- · The first article of the Civil Code
"Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" is the motto of the Republic. Born during the Revolution, it has been official since 1848 and appears in the 1958 Constitution.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La devise française »
5.Is it allowed to publicly insult someone because they are different (disability, physical appearance, sex, etc.)?
- · Yes, in the name of freedom of expression
- · Yes, if it is said on social media
- · No, unless the person is a foreigner
- ✓ Answer: No, it is an insult punished by law
Publicly insulting someone because of their disability, sex, origin or religion is an offence: it can be punished by up to one year in prison and a 45,000 euro fine.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « L’égalité (3/3) »
6.Can certain jobs be reserved for men?
- ✓ Answer: No, jobs are open to women and men alike
- · Yes, all physical jobs
- · Yes, if the employer decides so
- · Yes, jobs in the police and the army
Equality between women and men applies at work: refusing a job because of someone's sex is discrimination. The law allows only very rare exceptions, such as casting an actor for a role.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « L’égalité (2/3) »
7.When does the Constitution of the Fifth Republic date from?
- · 1789
- ✓ Answer: 1958
- · 1905
- · 1946
The Constitution of the Fifth Republic was approved by referendum on 28 September 1958 and adopted on 4 October 1958. It is the one in force today.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La Constitution de la Ve République »
8.The political system of France is:
- · A monarchy
- · A dictatorship
- ✓ Answer: A democratic republic
- · An empire
France is a republic: power is exercised by representatives elected by the people, not passed on by inheritance. It is also a democracy based on universal suffrage.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La démocratie et la République (1/2) »
9.Which of these symbols officially represents the French Republic?
- · The rooster
- · The Eiffel Tower
- · The beret
- ✓ Answer: Marianne
Marianne is an official symbol of the Republic, like the flag and the motto. The rooster is a widely used national symbol, but it is not officially recognised.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « Marianne »
10.Where can you see the motto of the Republic?
- · Only at the Élysée Palace
- · On euro banknotes
- · On road signs
- ✓ Answer: On the front of town halls and schools
The motto "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" is written on public buildings (town halls, schools, courts), on some coins and on official documents.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La devise française »
11.Which of these are official symbols of the French Republic?
- · The rooster, the Eiffel Tower and the beret
- ✓ Answer: The tricolour flag, the Marseillaise and Marianne
- · The fleur-de-lis and the crown
- · Baguette, cheese and wine
The official symbols of the Republic are the blue, white and red flag, the national anthem (La Marseillaise), Marianne, the motto and the national holiday on 14 July.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « Les symboles de la République »
12.What is equality?
- · The same income for every inhabitant
- · Rights reserved for the richest
- ✓ Answer: The same rights and duties for everyone, without distinction
- · Different rules depending on religion
Equality is a fundamental principle of the Republic: the law is the same for everyone and all have the same civil and social rights, regardless of origin, sex or religion.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « L’égalité (1/3) »
13.What does liberty mean?
- · Being able to do whatever you want, without limits
- ✓ Answer: Being able to do anything that does not harm others
- · Obeying religious authorities without question
- · Not having to obey the law
Under Article 4 of the 1789 Declaration, liberty means being able to do anything that does not harm others. Its limits are set by law.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La liberté »
14.What does the word "fraternité" mean in the French motto?
- · The obligation to have brothers and sisters
- ✓ Answer: Solidarity between citizens
- · The union of members of the same religion
- · Loyalty to one's own family only
Fraternité, the third word of the motto, means solidarity between citizens: social security, public assistance, help between generations and volunteering in associations are forms of it.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La fraternité (1/2) »
15.Which animal is a symbol of France?
- · The eagle
- · The lion
- · The bear
- ✓ Answer: The rooster
The rooster comes from a Latin pun: "gallus" meant both "Gaul" and "rooster". It is not an official symbol, but it represents France, for example on national sports team shirts.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « Le coq »
16.What is one of the roles of associations (non-profit organisations)?
- ✓ Answer: Acting together for a non-profit goal, such as helping others
- · Collecting taxes on behalf of the State
- · Delivering justice in the neighbourhood
- · Making their members rich through profits
An association brings together at least two people around a non-profit project: food aid, sport, culture, the environment. Freedom of association is guaranteed by the 1901 law.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La fraternité (2/2) »
17.What is the name of the national anthem?
- · Le Chant des partisans
- ✓ Answer: La Marseillaise
- · Ode to Joy
- · La Parisienne
The national anthem is La Marseillaise, composed in 1792 during the war against Austria. It became the national anthem in 1879. Ode to Joy is the European anthem.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « L’hymne français »
18.Which symbol of the French Republic is tricolour?
- ✓ Answer: The flag
- · Marianne
- · The motto
- · The rooster
The French flag is tricolour: three vertical bands of blue, white and red. Blue and red are the colours of Paris, white was the king's colour.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « Le drapeau français »
19.What is the date of the French national holiday?
- · 1 May
- · 8 May
- ✓ Answer: 14 July
- · 11 November
The national holiday has been held every 14 July since 1880. 1 May is Labour Day; 8 May and 11 November commemorate the end of the two world wars.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La fête nationale »
20.What is the motto of the French Republic?
- ✓ Answer: "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)
- · "Travail, Famille, Patrie" (Work, Family, Fatherland)
- · "United in diversity"
- · "Honneur et Patrie" (Honour and Fatherland)
The motto of the Republic is "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité", official since 1848. "United in diversity" is the EU's motto; "Travail, Famille, Patrie" was the motto of the Vichy regime.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La devise française »
21.What is the official language of the French Republic?
- · French and English
- · French and Breton
- · Latin
- ✓ Answer: French
Since 1992, Article 2 of the Constitution states that "the language of the Republic is French". Regional languages are part of the heritage but are not official.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La langue française »
22.What is the place of the French language in the Republic?
- · It is optional in public administration
- · It has equal status with regional languages
- · It is reserved for the courts
- ✓ Answer: It is the only official language, written into the Constitution
French is the language of the Republic (Article 2 of the Constitution). It is used at school, in public administration and in the courts, which gives everyone equal access to their rights.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La langue française »
23.Which freedom allows everyone to express their ideas?
- ✓ Answer: Freedom of expression
- · Freedom of movement
- · Freedom of trade
- · Freedom of assembly
Freedom of expression, guaranteed by Article 11 of the 1789 Declaration, allows everyone to speak, write and publish their opinions, within the limits set by law.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La liberté »
24.Which statement is correct? Freedom of expression:
- · allows you to insult anyone
- · is reserved for journalists
- · forbids criticising a religion
- ✓ Answer: has limits set by law
You may criticise a religion or an idea, but the law punishes, among other things, insults, defamation, incitement to hatred or violence, and Holocaust denial.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « Le blasphème »
25.What are the colours of the French flag?
- ✓ Answer: Blue, white, red
- · Blue, white, green
- · Red, white, black
- · Blue, yellow, red
The French flag has three vertical bands of blue, white and red. It became the official flag in 1794 and was permanently restored in 1830.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « Le drapeau français »
26.What is La Marseillaise?
- · A culinary speciality of Marseille
- · The name of a regional festival
- ✓ Answer: France's national anthem
- · A medieval poem
La Marseillaise is the national anthem. Composed in 1792, it takes its name from volunteers from Marseille who sang it in Paris. It is played at official ceremonies and sports events.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « L’hymne français »
27.What is traditionally held on the Champs-Élysées on 14 July to celebrate the national holiday?
- · A cycling race
- · A Christmas market
- ✓ Answer: A military parade
- · A costume carnival
Every 14 July, a military parade goes down the Champs-Élysées in Paris in the presence of the President of the Republic. Fireworks and dances are also held across France.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La fête nationale »
28.Who is Marianne?
- · The first woman President of the Republic
- ✓ Answer: The figure who represents the Republic
- · A queen of France
- · A heroine of the First World War
Marianne is an allegory that appeared during the Revolution. Wearing a Phrygian cap, a symbol of freedom, she represents the Republic. Her bust is displayed in town halls.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « Marianne »
29.Can a person freely change their religion?
- ✓ Answer: Yes, it is a right guaranteed by secularism (laïcité)
- · No, the religion one is born into is permanent
- · Yes, but with their family's consent
- · No, unless the town hall authorises it
Laïcité guarantees freedom of conscience: everyone is free to have a religion, change it or give it up, without needing anyone's permission.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La définition de la laïcité (1/2) »
30."France is an indivisible, ..., democratic and social Republic." Complete this sentence taken from Article 1 of the Constitution:
- · Christian
- · monarchical
- ✓ Answer: secular (laïque)
- · federal
Article 1 of the 1958 Constitution states: "France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic." Secularism (laïcité) is therefore a constitutional principle.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La définition de la laïcité (1/2) »
31.In which year was the law separating the Churches and the State passed?
- · 1789
- · 1882
- · 1958
- ✓ Answer: 1905
The law of 9 December 1905 separates the Churches and the State: the State does not recognise, pay or subsidise any religion, and guarantees the free exercise of worship.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « Histoire de la laïcité »
32.What does the principle of laïcité (secularism) allow?
- · The State to choose an official religion
- · A ban on all religion in public
- · Religions to pass laws
- ✓ Answer: Everyone to believe or not to believe
Laïcité guarantees freedom of conscience: everyone may believe, not believe or change religion. The State stays neutral and treats all beliefs in the same way.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La définition de la laïcité (1/2) »
33.Which right is guaranteed by laïcité (secularism)?
- · The right not to pay taxes
- ✓ Answer: Freedom of conscience
- · The right to a public holiday for each religion
- · The right to impose one's religion on others
Laïcité guarantees freedom of conscience, that is, the freedom to have a religion or not and to practise it while respecting public order.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La définition de la laïcité (1/2) »
34.Why must the principle of laïcité (secularism) be respected at school?
- · To abolish religions in France
- · To force pupils to believe in God
- ✓ Answer: To protect pupils from any pressure and treat them equally
- · To reserve school for non-believers
Laïcité at school protects pupils from proselytism and pressure, lets them form their own opinions freely and guarantees equal treatment for all, girls and boys.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La laïcité à l’école (2/2) »
35.What is laïcité (secularism)?
- ✓ Answer: The separation of religions and the State, which stays neutral
- · A ban on practising a religion
- · An obligation to be an atheist
- · France's official religion
Laïcité rests on the separation of the State and religions, the neutrality of the State and freedom of conscience. The State neither recognises nor funds any religion.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La définition de la laïcité (1/2) »
36.Can a child refuse to go to school for a religious reason?
- · Yes, if their parents ask
- ✓ Answer: No, education is compulsory for everyone
- · Yes, during religious festivals
- · Yes, from the age of 10
Education is compulsory from age 3 to 16. School or a course on the curriculum cannot be refused for a religious reason; occasional absences may be authorised for a major festival.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La laïcité à l’école (1/2) »
37.Does a person have the right not to believe in any religion?
- ✓ Answer: Yes, having no religion is a right
- · No, everyone must choose a religion
- · Yes, but only after the age of 18
- · No, unless they are a civil servant
Freedom of conscience also protects the right not to believe, or to stop believing. In France, many people say they have no religion.
Where to check: Formation civique, fiche « La définition de la laïcité (2/2) »
Principles and values of the Republic
37
questions in this theme
Multi-year permit (official list)
The civic exam questions for the multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) form an official list published by the French Interior Ministry on its civic training site. It gives only the stems of the knowledge questions, with no options, no answers and no scenario questions. Our bank reuses 190 of these stems under the Licence Ouverte, translates them for this English version and adds the right answer, three wrong options and an explanation pointing to the official sheet. The tool above lists them by theme, with the right answer in green. On the day, the multi-year permit paper has 40 questions, 28 on knowledge and 12 scenarios, to be answered in 45 minutes with a pass mark of 32. The exam itself is in French only, so read each question in French too before you book. This list concerns foreign nationals applying for a first multi-year permit, which also requires French at level A2; the small tool on the page checks whether a given score clears the mark.
Did I pass the civic exam?
Result
Fail
| Pass mark | 32 of 40 (80%) |
| Your score | 75% |
| Missing | 2 more correct answers |
Answers, dates and costs by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method
What the ministry publishes, and what it keeps back
The Interior Ministry publishes the official list of knowledge questions for the multi-year permit level. It contains stems only: no options, no right answers, no scenarios. The 12 scenario questions on the paper stay unknown until the day, so understanding the principles matters more than memorising a grid.
We took every stem, translated it, and wrote a right answer, three plausible wrong ones and a short explanation naming the official sheet or legal text to check. If an answer looks debatable, you can always go back to its source.
How much each theme weighs
| Theme | Knowledge questions drawn | Scenario questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Principles and values of the Republic | 5 | 6 |
| 2. Institutions and politics | 6 | 0 |
| 3. Rights and duties | 5 | 6 |
| 4. History, geography and culture | 8 | 0 |
| 5. Living in French society | 4 | 0 |
History, geography and culture alone supplies 8 knowledge questions, and it is the theme where newcomers usually have the most catching up to do. The principles of the Republic and rights and duties draw fewer knowledge questions but hold every scenario.
Four questions from the list
- "Which animal is a symbol of France?" Answer: The rooster. Symbols come up often: flag, anthem, motto, Marianne, national holiday.
- "Who must obey the law?" Answer: Everyone, including elected officials and the State. Equality before the law sits at the heart of the institutions theme.
- "What is an offence (infraction)?" Answer: An act forbidden by law and punishable by a penalty. Basic legal vocabulary returns in rights and duties.
- "What is the purpose of compulsory vaccinations?" Answer: Protecting each person and the whole population against serious diseases. Public health belongs to living in French society.
The list is concrete and often tied to steps every resident takes. If you have lived in France for a few years, you already know part of it; the real work is history, institutions and the precise French vocabulary.
A revision plan for expats
- Go through one theme a day in the tool above, first in English, then the same theme on the French page.
- Write down the stems you hesitate on, in French, and review them the next day.
- Move on to the practice questions by theme, which shuffle the options so you choose without seeing the answer.
- Finish with the timed multi-year permit civic exam mock test, in French, until you clear the mark with room to spare.
Some stems appear on both lists
A few questions sit on both the multi-year permit list and the resident card list. If you plan to apply for a resident card later, the effort carries over. Note also that a certificate obtained at the resident card level is accepted for a multi-year permit, while the reverse does not hold.