The short answer
- Same exam for all three variants: 40 questions, 32 correct answers to pass
- What changes is the official question list: 191 (CSP), 209 (CR) or 245 (NAT)
- NAT is the most demanding; hesitating between two? Prepare the hardest one
- Not required for renewals or a first temporary permit; over 65 exempt, except for naturalisation
The French civic exam comes in three variants: CSP for the multi-year residence permit, CR for the resident card and NAT for naturalisation, and all three use exactly the same test format. What changes is the official pool of questions you are tested on and the expected level: the naturalisation variant is the most demanding of the three.
Since January 1, 2026, the exam has been mandatory for three procedures:
- a first carte de séjour pluriannuelle (multi-year residence permit);
- a first carte de résident (resident card), for nearly every issuing ground: the 10-year card, the long-term EU resident card or the permanent resident card;
- French naturalisation by decree, the standard route (declaration procedures, such as through marriage, are not concerned).
It is not required to renew a permit, nor for a first carte de séjour temporaire (temporary residence permit). People over 65 are exempt for the CSP and the carte de résident, but not for naturalisation; medical accommodations and exemptions are covered in our registration guide. Unsure about your own case? Our eligibility check answers in a few questions.
The comparison table
| CSP | CR | NAT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it concerns | First multi-year residence permit | First resident card | French naturalisation by decree |
| Official knowledge-question list | 191 questions | 209 questions | 245 questions |
| Expected level | Baseline | Intermediate | Most demanding |
These public lists only cover the 28 knowledge questions. The 12 scenario questions (mises en situation) are never published, whatever the variant.
What all three variants share
The test itself is identical across the three variants:
- 40 multiple-choice questions, entirely in French;
- 28 knowledge questions plus 12 scenario questions;
- 45 minutes maximum, on a computer or tablet, in an approved centre;
- a pass mark of 32 correct answers out of 40, in other words 80%;
- 1 point per correct answer, 0 for a wrong or blank answer.
The breakdown of the 40 questions across the 5 official themes is also identical, set by the arrêté of October 10, 2025: the theme-by-theme detail is in our guide on what to revise.
Registration works the same way too, through the same two approved operators, as explained in our registration guide. If you fail, you can retake the exam without limit: see what to do after a fail.
CSP: 191 questions
The CSP variant applies to your first multi-year residence permit. A few categories are outside the obligation: multi-year permits not subject to the contrat d'intégration républicaine (passeport talent, student, seasonal worker…), beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, stateless persons and their families. Its official list contains 191 knowledge questions, the shortest of the three.
Practical advice: since the list is public, work through all of it at least once. Prioritise the two heavyweight themes, principles and values of the Republic and rights and duties, which together account for 22 of the 40 questions on exam day. Themed practice questions are a quick way to find your weak spots.
CR: 209 questions
The CR variant is for a first resident card application: the 10-year card (spouse of a French citizen, parent of a French child, family reunification…), the long-term EU resident card or the permanent resident card. Its official list has 209 questions, a slightly larger pool than the CSP, at an intermediate level.
Practical advice: do not just reread the questions. Train under real conditions with a timer, because 45 minutes for 40 questions leaves you about one minute per question. And always answer everything: a blank answer scores 0, exactly like a wrong one.
NAT: 245 questions
The NAT variant applies to French naturalisation. Its official list, annexed to the arrêté and published by the ministry, contains 245 questions. It is the longest list, and the expected level is the highest of the three. The official study document for this variant is the livret du citoyen, rebuilt in June 2026 around the same five themes.
Practical advice: plan more preparation time and go beyond memorisation. Aim to understand the reasoning behind each answer, especially in history, geography and culture (8 questions on the day), because that understanding is also what carries you through the 12 scenario questions, which cannot be learned by heart.
Hesitating? Prepare the hardest
If your situation could lead to two variants, for example a resident card now and naturalisation later, prepare directly for the most demanding variant that applies to you. All three share the same format and the same themes: studying at NAT level makes the CR or CSP versions feel comfortable, while the reverse is not true. This strategy is officially recognised: according to service-public.fr, the carte de résident attestation is also accepted for a multi-year residence permit application.
Before booking a session, check your level with a full mock exam under real conditions: 40 questions in 45 minutes. Aim for a comfortable margin above the 32/40 pass mark before you register.
FAQ
Do I need the exam to renew my residence permit?
No. It only applies to a first multi-year residence permit, a first resident card, and naturalisation by decree. Renewals and a first temporary residence permit are not concerned.
Does the over-65 exemption apply to all three variants?
No. People over 65 are exempt from the exam for the multi-year residence permit and the resident card. For naturalisation there is no age exemption: only a medical exemption exists.
Does the price depend on the variant?
The fee is not published on official pages, whatever the variant. It is displayed when you register online: see our registration guide.
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