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At what age does compulsory schooling start for children?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: At 3 years old. Schooling is compulsory from 3 to 16. This rule applies to all children living in France, French or foreign. Nursery school starts at 3. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Le système éducatif” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “Le système éducatif” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ At 16 years oldÀ 16 ansThis is not the start: the fact sheet says children from 3 to 16 must go to school.
- ✗ At 6 years oldÀ 6 ansAt 6 the child starts primary school, but schooling is compulsory earlier.
- ✗ At 11 years oldÀ 11 ansAt 11 the child starts collège (middle school), but schooling is compulsory earlier.
- ✓ At 3 years oldÀ 3 ansCorrect answer. Schooling is compulsory from 3 to 16. This rule applies to all children living in France, French or foreign. Nursery school starts at 3.
What the source says
« Français ou étrangers, tous les enfants âgés de 3 à 16 ans, qui habitent en France, doivent aller à l’école. »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « À quel âge commence l'instruction obligatoire des enfants ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR) and on the naturalisation list (PDF read on 14 October 2026). The Ministry's wording: “À quel âge commence l'instruction obligatoire des enfants ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Le système éducatif” (French).
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