Home › Civic exam questions › Up to what age is school compulsory?
Up to what age is school compulsory?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Up to age 16. School is compulsory from age 3 to 16. After 16 it is no longer compulsory, but you can keep studying. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Le système éducatif” (in French). The other three choices are explained below.
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
- ✗ Up to age 11Jusqu'à 11 ansAt 11 a child starts collège and must keep going to school.
- ✓ Up to age 16Jusqu'à 16 ansCorrect answer. School is compulsory from age 3 to 16. After 16 it is no longer compulsory, but you can keep studying.
- ✗ Up to age 15Jusqu'à 15 ansSchool stays compulsory until 16.
- ✗ Up to age 18Jusqu'à 18 ansAfter 16, school is no longer compulsory.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Jusqu'à quel âge l'école est-elle obligatoire ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the multi-year residence card (CSP). The Ministry's wording: “Jusqu'à quel âge l'école est-elle obligatoire ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Le système éducatif” (French).
All 30 “Living in French society” questions on the CSP 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)