Home › Civic exam questions › Since which year have the French directly elected the…
Since which year have the French directly elected the President of the Republic?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Since 1962. A 1962 referendum decides that the French elect the President directly. Before, "grands électeurs" (a group of elected representatives) chose the President. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Présentation des principaux textes (2/3) : La Constitution de la Vème République” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “Présentation des principaux textes (2/3) : La Constitution de la Vème République” (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
- ✓ Since 1962Depuis 1962Correct answer. A 1962 referendum decides that the French elect the President directly. Before, "grands électeurs" (a group of elected representatives) chose the President.
- ✗ Since 1958Depuis 1958This is the year the Fifth Republic begins.
- ✗ Since 1974Depuis 1974This is the year the voting age drops to 18.
- ✗ Since 1981Depuis 1981This is the year the death penalty is abolished.
What the source says
« En 1962 par exemple, un référendum constitutionnel a validé que le président de la République ne serait plus élu au suffrage indirect (élu par des grands électeurs), mais au suffrage direct (par les citoyens eux-mêmes). »
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: « Depuis quelle année les Français élisent-ils directement le président de la République ? ». 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: “Depuis quand les Français élisent-ils le président de la République au suffrage universel direct ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Présentation des principaux textes (2/3) : La Constitution de la Vème République” (French).
All 49 “History, geography and culture” questions on the CR list
One question corrected is a start. Now see where you stand: 40 timed questions, corrected in English, French or Arabic.
Our rule of thumb: book only after 34 out of 40 on two mock exams. The official pass mark is 32 out of 40. A fail means registering and paying again.
Take the free mock exam (40 questions)