Civic exam topic guide
The situation questions (mises en situation)
The 12 situation questions of the French civic exam: neighbours, school, work, discrimination, emergencies and civic duties, how to think about them and a real example in French.
Twelve of the 40 questions are situation questions: a short story and a choice of what to do. They are not harder than the others, but they need a different way of reading.
The guide gives a method to follow and typical cases: at school, with the administration, at work and in everyday life with neighbours and family. The right answer is almost always the one that respects the law, equality and the safety of everybody.
The situation questions (mises en situation)
How to answer “what do you do when…?”: school, administration, work and living together.
What each guide covers
- How to think about a situation questionRead slowly, find who is involved and what the problem is, then apply the rules of the Republic.
- Situations at school and with childrenSchool is where many values are applied, so questions about it are frequent.
- Situations with the administration and at workThe administration must treat everybody equally, and so must an employer.
- Situations about living togetherMany questions are about the street, the neighbours and the family, where the rules of respect apply.
Remember for the exam
- Ask: is it legal, equal, peaceful, safe? Choose the answer that respects the law and others.
- School is compulsory from 3 to 16, mixed and secular; bullying number 3020.
- Discrimination at work is forbidden: use the inspection du travail or the Défenseur des droits.
- In danger: 15, 17, 18, 112; violence against women: 3919.
A sample question from the bank
Question : Vous perdez votre emploi. Que faites-vous ? Réponse : Je m’inscris à France Travail. (You lose your job. What do you do?)
Question : Un feu se déclare dans un immeuble. Quel numéro appelez-vous ? Réponse : Le 18.
Questions people ask
Is there more than one correct answer in a situation?
In the exam only one option is right. It is usually the legal, calm one that goes through the right institution.
Do situation questions count the same?
Yes. Each question is worth one point, and you need 32 of 40 points to pass.
How do I choose the right answer in a situation question?
Ask yourself which answer is legal, equal, peaceful and safe. Violence, insults, discrimination and taking justice into your own hands are never right, and in an emergency you call for help first.
Can a tradition or a family rule be a good answer?
Not when it goes against the law. A forced marriage, violence or refusing school for a child cannot be justified by tradition. The exam asks what the French law and the values of the Republic say.
More guides
Ready to practise?
Study the questions by theme, then take the timed practice exam.