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From what age to what age is schooling of children compulsory?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: From 3 to 16 years old. Schooling is compulsory from 3 to 16 years old. This rule applies to all children living in France, French or foreign. Parents who do not respect it can receive a fine. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Exercice de l’autorité parentale (1/2)” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “Exercice de l’autorité parentale (1/2)” (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
- ✗ From 5 to 14 years oldDe 5 ans à 14 ansThe duty starts at 3 and ends at 16.
- ✗ From 6 to 18 years oldDe 6 ans à 18 ansSchool is compulsory only until 16, not 18.
- ✓ From 3 to 16 years oldDe 3 ans à 16 ansCorrect answer. Schooling is compulsory from 3 to 16 years old. This rule applies to all children living in France, French or foreign. Parents who do not respect it can receive a fine.
- ✗ From 3 to 18 years oldDe 3 ans à 18 ansAfter 16, school is no longer compulsory.
What the source says
« l'instruction est obligatoire pour tout enfant entre 3 et 16 ans. »
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: « L'instruction des enfants est obligatoire de quel âge à quel âge ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question comes from the list of the naturalisation version of the exam (PDF relayed by Le Français des affaires, read on 14 October 2026; the Ministry's own page for this list did not answer). The list's wording: “L'instruction des enfants est obligatoire de :”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Exercice de l’autorité parentale (1/2)” (French).
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