Free Practice Questions for Adjoint Administratif Territorial

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Key Facts: Adjoint Administratif Territorial Exam

2 h 30 min

Total for two written admissibility papers (each coef 3)

Décret n° 2007-109

< 5 / 20

Eliminatory mark on either written admissibility paper

Décret n° 2007-109, Article 11

15 min

Oral admission jury interview (Coef 3)

FNCDG Regulations

Category C

FPT Civil Service Classification

Décret n° 2006-1690

The Concours Adjoint Administratif Territorial Principal de 2e classe is a Category C competition organized by French Centres de Gestion (CDG). It has two written admissibility papers (French text questions and an elementary numerical table), followed by a mandatory interview and office-software practical and one optional language or law/finance test. Successful candidates enter a liste d'aptitude and must then seek appointment by a territorial employer. This English MCQ bank is a study adaptation, not a format simulation.

Sample Adjoint Administratif Territorial Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Adjoint Administratif Territorial exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In French administrative correspondence, what is the correct grammatical agreement rule for the phrase 'ci-joint' when placed at the very beginning of a sentence before a feminine noun without an article (e.g., 'Ci-joint [...] copie de la délibération')?

A.It remains invariable as 'ci-joint' because it functions as an adverb when placed before a noun without a determiner

B.It must always agree in gender and number as 'ci-jointe' because the noun 'copie' is feminine

C.It requires a hyphen only when made plural as 'ci-joints'

D.It is grammatically prohibited at the start of a sentence in official French administrative style

Explanation: Under French grammatical rules applied in administrative drafting, 'ci-joint', 'ci-inclus', and 'ci-annexé' remain invariable (adverbial value) when placed at the very beginning of a sentence or immediately before a noun that has no article or determinative word (e.g., 'Ci-joint copie du contrat'). They agree only when placed after the noun or before a noun accompanied by a determiner (e.g., 'Vous trouverez ci-jointe la copie...').

2In the standard layout of an official French administrative letter, what does the abbreviation 'PJ' designate in the reference block or margins?

A.Pour jugement (transferred for judicial review)

B.Pièces jointes (enclosed supporting documents)

C.Préfet de juridiction (jurisdictional prefect)

D.Publication juridique (legal publication notice)

Explanation: 'PJ' is the universal administrative abbreviation for 'Pièces jointes' (attached or enclosed documents). It appears in the margin or footer to enumerate supporting documents accompanying the formal correspondence.

3When drafting an administrative letter addressed to the Mayor of a commune, which opening salutation (vedette) and closing formula (formule de politesse) conform to Republican protocol?

A.Salutation: 'Cher Monsieur'; Closing: 'Recevez mes amitiés les plus sincères.'

B.Salutation: 'À l'attention du Maire'; Closing: 'Bien cordialement.'

C.Salutation: 'Monsieur le Maire'; Closing: 'Je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur le Maire, l'expression de ma considération très distinguée.'

D.Salutation: 'Monsieur le Directeur'; Closing: 'Veuillez croire, Monsieur, en mon profond dévouement personnel.'

Explanation: Republican administrative protocol dictates addressing an elected municipal executive by official title ('Monsieur le Maire' or 'Madame la Maire'). The closing formula must repeat this title precisely ('Je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur le Maire, l'expression de ma considération très distinguée' or 'mes salutations distinguées'). Familiar or private closings are inappropriate in official correspondence.

4An administrative assistant writes a note concerning a boundary conflict between two municipal neighbors: 'La commune a été saisie pour régler un [...] entre deux propriétaires.' Which homophone correctly completes the sentence?

A.différent

B.différant

C.différancier

D.différend

Explanation: The masculine noun 'différend' (ending with a 'd') denotes a dispute, conflict, or legal disagreement between parties. 'Différent' (with a 't') is an adjective meaning distinct or dissimilar, while 'différant' is the present participle of the verb 'différer'.

5Read the following administrative excerpt: 'Les services d'accueil physique et téléphonique de la mairie doivent garantir l'égalité d'accès de tous les usagers au service public, sans distinction d'origine, de religion ou de condition sociale, dans le respect strict du principe de continuité.' What is the primary administrative principle emphasized regarding access?

A.Equal access and non-discrimination for all citizens

B.Exclusive preference for digitally literate citizens

C.Full delegation of public front-desk services to commercial providers

D.Restricted access based on property tax contribution

Explanation: The text explicitly highlights 'l'égalité d'accès de tous les usagers au service public' (equality of access to public service for all users) without discrimination, which is one of the cornerstone principles (Lois de Roland: égalité, continuité, mutabilité) of French public administration.

6When preparing an internal administrative briefing note (note de synthèse) for the Directeur Général des Services (DGS), what is the primary objective of the document?

A.To express personal political opinions and criticize departmental leadership

B.To provide an objective, neutral, and concise synthesis of facts and files to facilitate executive decision-making

C.To produce a verbatim transcription of every document in the archive

D.To draft an enforceable municipal decree directly without executive review

Explanation: A 'note de synthèse' or internal briefing note in French public administration is designed to give decision-makers a clear, concise, objective, and structured summary of a dossier without adding extraneous personal polemics, highlighting the key facts, legal context, and practical options.

7Which of the following sentences correctly applies French grammatical rules for the past participle of a pronominal verb in an administrative report?

A.Les deux adjointes au maire se sont succédées à la tribune lors de la cérémonie officielle.

B.Les deux adjointes au maire se sont succédés à la tribune lors de la cérémonie officielle.

C.Les deux adjointes au maire se sont succédé à la tribune lors de la cérémonie officielle.

D.Les deux adjointes au maire se ont succédé à la tribune lors de la cérémonie officielle.

Explanation: With reciprocal or reflexive pronominal verbs where the pronoun represents an indirect object (COI) — answering the question 'succéder à qui ?' (succéder à quelqu'un) — the past participle remains invariable. Since one succeeds *to* someone, 'se' is an indirect object pronoun, and 'succédé' takes no agreement (it remains 'se sont succédé').

8In professional administrative writing, which verb should replace 'donner' in the sentence: 'La commune a décidé de lui donner une subvention exceptionnelle' to maintain an elevated administrative register?

A.fournir

B.balancer

C.distribuer

D.octroyer

Explanation: In French administrative French, the verb 'octroyer' (or 'attribuer' / 'accorder') is the precise term used when a public entity officially grants a subsidy, allowance, or right. 'Donner' is overly colloquial.

9In an official letter sent by a municipality, what is the specific role of the 'Objet' line placed at the top left below the sender block?

A.It summarizes the specific topic or purpose of the correspondence in a few concise words

B.It lists the names of all municipal council members present at the last session

C.It specifies the bank details and IBAN for payment processing

D.It indicates the postal delivery tracking barcode

Explanation: The 'Objet' (Subject line) serves to state clearly, neutrally, and concisely the subject matter of the letter (e.g., 'Objet : Demande de certificat d'urbanisme - Parcelle AB 12') to enable prompt indexing, archiving, and routing to the competent municipal service.

10A municipal announcement states: 'Les usagers souhaitant renouveler leur carte d'identité doivent obligatoirement effectuer une pré-demande en ligne sur le site de l'ANTS ou se faire accompagner par les agents de l'Espace France Services.' According to this notice, which method is accessible to citizens without digital access?

A.Sending the complete renewal request by ordinary email to the town hall without an ANTS pre-application

B.Assistance provided in person by agents at the Espace France Services

C.Visiting the regional court (Tribunal judiciaire) without an appointment

D.Delegating the application to a commercial notary

Explanation: The notice explicitly specifies that users who do not complete the pre-application online on the ANTS portal can receive direct, in-person accompaniment by municipal agents at the local Espace France Services.

About the Adjoint Administratif Territorial Exam

The Concours d'Adjoint Administratif Territorial Principal de 2e classe is the premier competitive entrance examination for recruiting Category C administrative civil servants into France's Territorial Civil Service (Fonction Publique Territoriale - FPT). Organized by departmental and interdepartmental Centres de Gestion (CDG), this competitive examination selects municipal, departmental, and regional administrative staff responsible for citizen reception, vital records (état civil), document processing, accounting calculations, and office support. Governed by Décret n° 2006-1690 and Décret n° 2007-109 under the Code général de la fonction publique (CGFP), successful candidates are registered on an official list of aptitude (liste d'aptitude) valid across all territorial authorities in France. This study bank provides an English-language MCQ preparation resource covering the four core pillars of the CDG syllabus: French language and administrative correspondence, applied mathematics and numerical tables, territorial administration, and civil service ethics.

Exam sponsor: Centres de Gestion (CDG) de la Fonction Publique Territoriale. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Written admissibility comprises questions from a general text testing comprehension, vocabulary and spelling (1 h 30, coef 3) and an elementary numerical table (1 h, coef 3). Admission comprises a 15-minute aptitude interview (coef 3), a mandatory 15-minute word-processing/spreadsheet practical (coef 1), and one optional test chosen at registration: either a 1-hour written foreign-language paper or a 15-minute oral, with 15 minutes' preparation, in public law, family and social law, or public finance (coef 1).

Time Limit

Written admissibility: 2 h 30 total; admission: 15-minute interview + 15-minute office practical + chosen optional test

Passing Score

Competitive rank-based liste d'aptitude established by the organizing CDG; a mark below 5/20 on either written admissibility paper is eliminatory

Exam / Certification Fees

Free / No examination fee

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

French, Text Comprehension & Administrative Spelling

Comprehension questions based on general interest texts, grammatical rules, administrative vocabulary, letter writing formatting, and professional document synthesis

30%

Applied Mathematics, Numerical Calculations & Data Tables

Elementary numerical calculations, cross-multiplication (règle de trois), VAT application, discounts, weighted averages, simple municipal budgeting, and table completion

20%

Basic Administrative Organization & Territorial Collectivities

Structure and functions of French municipalities (communes), departments, and regions; municipal council operations; mayor's powers; vital records (état civil); identity documents; and front-desk reception

20%

Rights, Duties of Civil Servants & Working Environment

Code général de la fonction publique (CGFP), fundamental obligations (neutrality, secularism, professional secrecy, reserve, obedience), civil servant rights, workplace health and safety, and office computing

Preparing for the Adjoint Administratif Territorial Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Competitive rank-based liste d'aptitude established by the organizing CDG; a mark below 5/20 on either written admissibility paper is eliminatory
Assessment: Written admissibility comprises questions from a general text testing comprehension, vocabulary and spelling (1 h 30, coef 3) and an elementary numerical table (1 h, coef 3). Admission comprises a 15-minute aptitude interview (coef 3), a mandatory 15-minute word-processing/spreadsheet practical (coef 1), and one optional test chosen at registration: either a 1-hour written foreign-language paper or a 15-minute oral, with 15 minutes' preparation, in public law, family and social law, or public finance (coef 1).
Time limit: Written admissibility: 2 h 30 total; admission: 15-minute interview + 15-minute office practical + chosen optional test
Exam / certification fees: Free / No examination fee Official sources

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Adjoint Administratif Territorial: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the elementary numerical table: systematically practice calculating row and column totals, percentages, differences, and cross-checks under timed conditions

2Brush up on French administrative correspondence norms: formal salutations (formules de politesse), standard letter layout, subject lines (objet), references, and objective drafting style

3Understand the dual role of the Mayor (Maire): acting as the executive head of the municipality (agent exécutif de la commune) and as the representative of the State (agent de l'État) for civil registration and judicial police

4Memorize the fundamental ethical duties under the Code général de la fonction publique (CGFP): obligation de réserve, secret professionnel, discrétion professionnelle, neutralité, and obéissance hiérarchique

5Practice applied math essentials: percentage increases/decreases, rule of three (règle de trois), VAT calculations (TTC, HT, TVA rates of 20%, 10%, 5.5%), and unit conversions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Concours d'Adjoint Administratif Territorial Principal de 2e classe?

It is an official competitive civil service examination (concours de la Fonction Publique Territoriale, Category C) organized by departmental Centres de Gestion (CDG) to recruit permanent administrative staff for French local governments, primarily town halls (mairies), intercommunal groupings (EPCI), and departmental councils.

What are the eligibility requirements for the external competition (concours externe)?

Candidates must hold French or European Union citizenship, enjoy civil rights, possess a clean criminal record (bulletin n° 2 du casier judiciaire compatible with public duties), have fulfilled national service obligations, and hold a Diplôme national du brevet (DNB) or equivalent Level 3 qualification (CAP, BEP).

How are the admissibility and admission stages structured?

Admissibility consists of two written papers: general-text questions testing comprehension, vocabulary and spelling (1 h 30, coefficient 3), and an elementary numerical table (1 h, coefficient 3). Admission includes a 15-minute aptitude interview (coefficient 3), a mandatory 15-minute office-software practical (coefficient 1), and one optional language or law/finance test (coefficient 1).

What does being placed on the liste d'aptitude mean?

Unlike the state civil service (Fonction Publique d'État) where passing a concours guarantees direct post assignment, passing a territorial civil service competition places the laureate on a regional/national liste d'aptitude. The candidate must then actively apply to vacant positions advertised by local authorities across France (principe de vocation).

What is an eliminatory mark in this competition?

Under Décret n° 2007-109, a mark below 5 out of 20 on either written admissibility paper eliminates the candidate from admissibility. Final success is competitive and limited by the organizing authority's list.

What are the day-to-day duties of an Adjoint Administratif Territorial?

Adjoints administratifs perform front-office reception (accueil des usagers), civil registration (état civil, livret de famille, marriage and death declarations), processing identity document requests (CNI, passeport biométrique), typing administrative correspondence and mayoral decrees, basic accounting entries, and managing municipal archives.