Failed the French civic exam: retaking it, what it costs and how to pass next time
Yes, you can retake the civic exam at any time and as many times as needed, according to the Ministry of the Interior. You must re-register and pay again (60 to 80 euros depending on the centre). The only fixed delay is 24 hours between two attempts, according to the FEI candidate handbook, version B, September 2026.
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, general information on the civic exam, Service-Public F39530 (checked 10 February 2026) and the Ministry's answer in the National Assembly (11 August 2026), and the FEI candidate handbook (version B, September 2026). Hexaciv is not an official site and gives no legal advice. The official pages are in French.
What the official sources say
- Retaking: "It is possible to take the civic exam at any time and as many times as necessary." That is the Ministry of the Interior's sentence, translated.
- Price: each centre sets its price. The Ministry says it lies between 60 and 80 euros. After a failure you re-register and pay again.
- Delay: the Ministry and Service-Public give none, but the FEI candidate handbook (p. 21) says: "There is only a 24-hour delay between 2 sittings." You can re-register from your candidate account as soon as results arrive. The dates offered are those of your centre.
- Results: the PDF certificate is available in your candidate account 12 hours after the sitting, with a QR code that lets others check it (FEI handbook, p. 20). It is not instant, so plan for it in your calendar.
- Passing: the certificate has no validity period. Once you pass, you never need to retake.
- Fraud: Service-Public and the FEI handbook (p. 8, 25 and 32) provide for cancellation of the exam and a 2-year ban in cases of fraud (false identity, impersonation, outside help, cheating). A simple failure is not covered.
Postponement and refund rules are set by each centre: read them before you pay. If you change centre for the retake, FEI asks you to do it before your photo is taken (p. 21). Our page on price, registration and centres (in French) explains registration.
Failing the exam is common
According to the Ministry's answer in the National Assembly, 71,125 people had taken the exam by 26 May 2026, with an average pass rate of 81%. That means roughly one candidate in five fails, so you are not alone. You need 32 correct answers out of 40: details in our guide to format, length and pass mark.
The plan for next time
- Check you prepared the right version. There are three (multi-year card, resident card, naturalisation), with different question lists. See who has to take the civic exam.
- Reread the official sheets. The Ministry publishes the civic training sheets and question lists for free. Our questions with corrected answers show the format.
- Retake mock exams until you score 34 out of 40 twice in a row. This is our own readiness mark, not an official rule: it leaves a 2-point margin over the pass mark of 32.
- Book only then. Each new attempt costs 60 to 80 euros according to the Ministry, so pay only when you are ready.
- Keep the certificate. It does not expire: store it with the rest of your file.
Test yourself: 3 questions
How many times can you retake the civic exam after a failure?
Correct answer: as many times as necessary, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
What must you do to retake it?
Correct answer: re-register and pay again, between 60 and 80 euros depending on the centre.
How many correct answers do you need to pass?
Correct answer: 32 out of 40, or 80%, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
Frequently asked questions
Can you retake the civic exam after failing? Yes, at any time and as many times as necessary, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
How much does a retake cost? Each centre sets its price, between 60 and 80 euros according to the Ministry. You must re-register.
Is there a waiting period between two attempts? Yes, just one: 24 hours minimum between two sittings, according to the FEI candidate handbook (p. 21). The Ministry and Service-Public give no other delay. Available dates depend on your centre.
Does my pass certificate expire? No, it has no validity period.
What is the pass rate? 81% on average at 26 May 2026, across 71,125 people, according to the Ministry's answer in the National Assembly.
Sources
Rules and their dated changes are in the civic exam change log (in French).
- Ministry of the Interior, general information on the civic exam: retake as many times as needed, certificate with no validity period.
- Service-Public, F39530, checked 10 February 2026: 2-year ban for fraud, certificate validity.
- France Éducation international, Candidate handbook for the civic exam, version B, September 2026: 24 hours between sittings (p. 21), PDF certificate 12 hours after the sitting (p. 20), cancellation and 2-year ban for fraud (p. 8, 25, 32).
- National Assembly, written question 11488 and the Ministry of the Interior's answer, 11 August 2026: price of 60 to 80 euros, 71,125 candidates, 81% pass rate at 26 May 2026.
Before you re-register, reach 34 out of 40 on two mock exams. It is free and in real conditions.
Take the free mock exam again (40 questions, 45 minutes)