Revise for the civic exam in 4 weeks: a week-by-week plan

You need 32 correct answers out of 40 to pass the civic exam. With 20 to 30 minutes a day, 4 weeks is enough for most candidates. Here is a concrete plan.

Week 1: values and institutions

• Motto, symbols, laïcité, equality between women and men: the principles and values of the Republic.
• President, government, Parliament, elections, local authorities: the institutional and political system.
• Take a first free test to measure your starting point.

Week 2: rights, duties and life in France

• Fundamental rights, justice, taxes, citizens' obligations: rights and duties.
• School, health, work, housing, public services: living in French society.

Week 3: history, geography and culture

• Key dates: 1789, 1792, 1905, 1944, 1958…
• Geography: regions, overseas territories, rivers, neighbouring countries.
• Culture: great figures, heritage, national holidays.

Week 4: real conditions

• Take at least 2 to 3 mock exams of 40 questions in 45 minutes.
• Practise the 12 situational questions: they are not published and require reasoning.
• Review every mistake and its explanation, then revisit your weakest themes.

Mistakes to avoid

• Revising the wrong list: each mention (multi-year permit, resident card, naturalisation) has its own official list of knowledge questions.
• Memorising answers without understanding them: situational questions test reasoning.
• Taking the exam without ever timing yourself.

The official list of knowledge questions is published free on formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr.

Read next

• Civic exam for the multi-year residence permit
• Civic exam for the resident card
• Civic exam for naturalisation
• Take a free civic test