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Key Facts: CRPE Exam

Catégorie A

Civil Service Rank

Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale

8 Hours

Written Admissibility Duration (two 4-hour papers, bac+3 concours)

Arrêté du 17 avril 2025 / Devenir Enseignant

3 Cycles

Primary School Structure

Éduscol

≤ 5 / 20

Eliminatory overall mark on a written admissibility paper

Arrêté du 17 avril 2025

Ages 3–11

Pupil Age Range

Code de l'éducation

Academy Quotas

Recruitment Method

Arrêté de répartition des postes

Free 100-question English MCQ study bank for the French CRPE primary teacher recruitment concours. Tests French language, mathematics, primary didactics, and Republican educational values. Study aid, not official format.

Sample CRPE Practice Questions

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

1In French grammatical analysis, which statement correctly distinguishes between 'nature' (grammatical category) and 'fonction' (syntactic function)?
A.Nature applies only to inflected verbs and nouns, while fonction applies strictly to invariant prepositions and conjunctions.
B.Nature depends entirely on the sentence structure, whereas fonction is a fixed dictionary property of the word.
C.Nature describes the inherent grammatical identity of a word that does not change with context, whereas fonction describes the syntactic role it plays in a specific sentence.
D.Nature and fonction are synonymous terms used interchangeably in the official Cycle 2 and Cycle 3 Éduscol programmes.
Explanation: In French grammar as taught in primary education (Éduscol), 'nature' (or classe grammaticale) is what a word is intrinsically (e.g., nom, verbe, adjectif, préposition) and remains constant regardless of usage. 'Fonction' is what the word does within a specific sentence (e.g., sujet, COD, complément circonstanciel, attribut du sujet).
2According to standard French orthographic agreement rules, which of the following sentences correctly applies the rule for compound color adjectives?
A.Elle a acheté des vestes bleu marine et des jupes vert clair.
B.Elle a acheté des vestes bleues marines et des jupes vertes claires.
C.Elle a acheté des vestes bleues marine et des jupes vert claires.
D.Elle a acheté des vestes bleu marines et des jupes vertes clair.
Explanation: In French, when an adjective of color is compound (modified by another adjective or a noun, such as 'bleu marine' or 'vert clair'), both words remain completely invariable. Neither takes an 's' or 'e'. Therefore, 'des vestes bleu marine' and 'des jupes vert clair' is the only correct spelling.
3In the sentence 'La Terre tourne autour du Soleil', what is the semantic value (valeur d'emploi) of the present indicative?
A.Présent d'habitude
B.Présent d'énonciation
C.Présent de narration
D.Présent de vérité générale
Explanation: The 'présent de vérité générale' (present of general truth) is used to express facts, scientific laws, proverbs, and maxims that are considered true across time, independent of the moment of enunciation. 'La Terre tourne autour du Soleil' is an astronomical fact valid at all times.
4Which of the following sentences illustrates a sentence that is simultaneously of the 'injonctive' (imperative) type and the 'passive' form?
A.Ne fermez pas la porte à clé pendant la récréation !
B.Soyez avertis de ces nouvelles consignes avant demain !
C.Les élèves ont été félicités par le directeur ce matin.
D.Pourquoi ces exercices n'ont-ils pas été terminés ?
Explanation: In French grammatical typology (types et formes de phrases), there are four mutually exclusive types (déclaratif, interrogatif, injonctif, exclamatif) combined with various forms (négative, passive, emphatique). 'Soyez avertis de ces nouvelles consignes avant demain !' expresses a command/instruction (type injonctif) and uses the auxiliary 'être' with the past participle indicating the passive voice (forme passive).
5In the sentence 'Hier matin, Marie et sa sœur sont [...] de bonne heure', which spelling of the past participle of 'partir' is correct?
A.parties
B.parti
C.partie
D.partiesse
Explanation: With the auxiliary 'être', the past participle agrees in gender and number with the grammatical subject. The subject 'Marie et sa sœur' is feminine plural (two feminine singular nouns joined by 'et'), so the past participle 'partir' takes the feminine plural ending '-ies': 'parties'.
6In French lexicology, which prefix carries the semantic meaning of 'difficulty, disorder, or impairment' as seen in terms like 'dyslexie' and 'dyspraxie'?
A.a- / an-
B.para-
C.dys-
D.mé- / més-
Explanation: The prefix 'dys-' (of Greek origin) signifies malfunction, difficulty, or impairment (e.g., dyslexie, dysorthographie, dyscalculie, dyspraxie). In contrast, 'a-/an-' indicates absence or negation, 'para-' denotes proximity or deviation, and 'mé-/més-' indicates ill-doing or pejorative valuation.
7In French phonology, under what standard phonetic environment does the single consonant letter 's' represent the voiced fricative sound [z] rather than the voiceless fricative [s]?
A.At the very beginning of a word before a vowel
B.When placed between two vowels (intervocalic position)
C.Immediately following a consonant at the start of a syllable
D.At the end of a word when silent in liaison
Explanation: In French orthography, a single 's' between two vowels (intervocalic position) represents the voiced alveolar fricative [z] (e.g., 'maison', 'poison', 'rose'). To obtain the voiceless sound [s] between two vowels, a double 'ss' is required (e.g., 'poisson', 'baisse').
8Which sentence demonstrates the correct grammatical usage of the homophones 'leur' and 'leurs'?
A.Les maîtres leurs ont distribué leurs cahiers d'exercices.
B.Les maîtres leurs ont distribué leur cahiers d'exercices.
C.Les maîtres leur ont distribué leur cahiers d'exercices.
D.Les maîtres leur ont distribué leurs cahiers d'exercices.
Explanation: When 'leur' is an indirect personal pronoun placed before a verb (meaning 'à eux' or 'à elles'), it is strictly invariable and never takes an 's' ('leur ont distribué'). When 'leur/leurs' is a possessive determiner preceding a plural noun ('cahiers'), it agrees in number and takes an 's' ('leurs cahiers'). Thus, 'leur ont distribué leurs cahiers' is the only correct sentence.
9Which literary figure of speech is characterized by establishing an analogy between two elements without using a comparative linking tool (such as 'comme', 'tel que', or 'pareil à')?
A.La métonymie
B.La comparaison
C.La métaphore
D.La litote
Explanation: A metaphor (la métaphore) associates a tenor (comparé) and a vehicle (comparant) based on an implicit similarity without an explicit comparison word (mot de comparaison). In contrast, 'la comparaison' explicitly incorporates a tool like 'comme' or 'semblable à'.
10In which of the following sentences is the past participle used with the auxiliary 'avoir' correctly agreed with a preceding direct object (COD antéposé)?
A.Les lettres que le facteur a distribuées étaient bien affranchies.
B.Les lettres que le facteur a distribué étaient bien affranchies.
C.Le facteur a distribuées toutes les lettres ce matin.
D.Les lettres qu'il nous a parlé étaient importantes.
Explanation: The past participle conjugated with 'avoir' agrees in gender and number with the direct object (COD) if and only if that COD precedes the auxiliary verb. In 'Les lettres que le facteur a distribuées', the relative pronoun 'que' functions as the COD, refers to the feminine plural antecedent 'les lettres', and precedes the verb. Therefore, 'distribuées' correctly takes '-es'.

About the CRPE Exam

The CRPE (Concours de Recrutement des Professeurs des Écoles) is France's national competitive civil service examination to recruit primary school teachers (maternelle and élémentaire, ages 3 to 11). Candidates are recruited to Category A civil servant posts across academic regions. Since session 2026, the external concours is open at bac+3 (last year of licence or licence holders) under the arrêté du 17 avril 2025, with the bac+5 route maintained transitionally for the 2026 and 2027 sessions. Official assessment is conducted in French through written papers and oral tests before a jury. This OpenExamPrep bank provides an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the tested French language, mathematics, primary didactics, and Republican educational principles — a study aid, not an official translation or a simulation of the concours format.

Exam sponsor: Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale et de la Jeunesse / Académies. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Concours externe bac+3, organised from session 2026 under the arrêté du 17 avril 2025. Admissibilité: first written paper (4 h, coefficient 5) on French and mathematics in two independent parts, each marked out of 10, with 2.5 or below on either part eliminatory; second written paper (4 h, coefficient 3) covering three domains chosen by the candidate among history-geography and EMC, science and technology, arts, and a modern language, with an overall mark of 5 or below eliminatory. Admission: first oral (1 h preparation, 45 min: 15 min exposé and 30 min exchange, coefficient 5) on a notion in French or mathematics; second oral (55 min, coefficient 3) in two parts — 20 min on physical education (8 points) and a 35 min interview on motivation, Republican values, public-service obligations, and ecological transition (12 points), with 0 on either part eliminatory. The bac+5 concours is maintained transitionally for sessions 2026 and 2027 under the arrêté du 26 janvier 2021. Conducted entirely in French.

Time Limit

8 hours of written admissibility (two 4-hour papers) plus about 1 hour 40 minutes of oral admission tests

Passing Score

Merit ranking based on total weighted score against academy quotas; an overall admissibility mark of 5/20 or below is eliminatory, as is 0 at admission

Exam / Certification Fees

No registration fee on Cyclades

Exam sponsor website

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

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 of 100 questions

French Language & Grammar Mastery

Morphology, syntax, complex agreements, lexicology, phonology, and text comprehension.

30 of 100 questions

Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning

Arithmetic, fractions, percentages, plane and space geometry, measurement, and elementary probability.

25 of 100 questions

Didactics & Primary Curriculum Pedagogy

Cycle 1 to 3 curriculum progression, methods for teaching reading/writing, elementary math didactics, and pupil error diagnosis.

15 of 100 questions

Republican Values, Educational System & Inclusion

Laïcité, Charte de la laïcité, school inclusion (PPRE, PAP, PPS, PAI), ethics, and teacher civil service duties.

Preparing for the CRPE Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Merit ranking based on total weighted score against academy quotas; an overall admissibility mark of 5/20 or below is eliminatory, as is 0 at admission
  • Assessment: Concours externe bac+3, organised from session 2026 under the arrêté du 17 avril 2025. Admissibilité: first written paper (4 h, coefficient 5) on French and mathematics in two independent parts, each marked out of 10, with 2.5 or below on either part eliminatory; second written paper (4 h, coefficient 3) covering three domains chosen by the candidate among history-geography and EMC, science and technology, arts, and a modern language, with an overall mark of 5 or below eliminatory. Admission: first oral (1 h preparation, 45 min: 15 min exposé and 30 min exchange, coefficient 5) on a notion in French or mathematics; second oral (55 min, coefficient 3) in two parts — 20 min on physical education (8 points) and a 35 min interview on motivation, Republican values, public-service obligations, and ecological transition (12 points), with 0 on either part eliminatory. The bac+5 concours is maintained transitionally for sessions 2026 and 2027 under the arrêté du 26 janvier 2021. Conducted entirely in French.
  • Time limit: 8 hours of written admissibility (two 4-hour papers) plus about 1 hour 40 minutes of oral admission tests
  • Exam / certification fees: No registration fee on Cyclades Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
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CRPE: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the Éduscol terminology for French grammar: nature (grammatical category) vs. fonction (syntactic role), propositions subordonnées, and agreement rules.
2Practice multi-step arithmetic problems, fractional reasoning, and geometric proofs without a calculator, as arithmetic rigor is strictly evaluated.
3Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the official cycles: Cycle 1 (apprentissages premiers), Cycle 2 (apprentissages fondamentaux), and Cycle 3 (consolidation).
4Learn the exact distinctions between inclusive schooling devices: PAI for medical conditions, PAP for learning disabilities (dys), PPS for recognized disabilities (MDPH), and PPRE for temporary academic difficulties.
5Review the Charte de la laïcité à l'école and the 2004 law on religious symbols to analyze real-life classroom scenarios ethically and legally.
6Work systematically on error diagnosis (analyse d'erreurs d'élèves): identify what misconception led to a pupil's answer and propose a tailored remedial task.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CRPE exam in France?

The CRPE (Concours de Recrutement des Professeurs des Écoles) is France's official competitive examination for recruiting primary school teachers in state schools (écoles maternelles and élémentaires) teaching pupils aged 3 to 11. Passing candidates become Category A civil servants (fonctionnaires stagiaires) appointed to a specific academy.

What are the eligibility requirements to register for the CRPE?

Since session 2026, the main external competition is open at bac+3: candidates must be enrolled in the final year of a licence (L3) or already hold a licence or recognised equivalent at the date the admissibility results are published. A bac+5 external route is maintained transitionally for the 2026 and 2027 sessions and disappears from 2028. Alternative paths exist: the 3ème concours requires 5 years of private sector experience, and internal competitions exist for serving public agents. Parents of three children and high-level athletes are exempt from the diploma condition.

In what language is the official CRPE conducted?

The official CRPE is conducted entirely in French through written papers, didactic analyses, mathematical problems, and oral presentations before a jury; it uses no multiple-choice questions. The OpenExamPrep bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation designed to drill disciplinary concepts, curricular knowledge, and didactic principles. It is not an official translation, not a format simulation, and cannot substitute for practising the written and oral tests in French.

What written tests make up the admissibility phase?

In the bac+3 external concours organised since session 2026, admissibility comprises two written papers of 4 hours each. The first (coefficient 5) has two independent parts, French and mathematics, each marked out of 10. The second (coefficient 3) covers the other primary teaching domains except PE: candidates answer in three domains of their choice among history-geography and moral/civic education, science and technology, arts, and a modern language.

How does scoring and merit ranking work for the CRPE?

Each test is graded on a 20-point scale. On the first written paper, a mark of 2.5 or below on either the French or the mathematics part is eliminatory; on the second, an overall mark of 5 or below is eliminatory. At admission, a mark of 0 is eliminatory. Candidates who clear admissibility are called to the oral tests, and final admission is determined by total weighted points ranked against the quota of posts opened by the Ministère for each academy.

What is the difference between Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3 in French primary education?

Cycle 1 covers early childhood education (petite, moyenne, and grande section de maternelle, ages 3 to 6). Cycle 2 covers fundamental learning (CP, CE1, CE2, ages 6 to 9), emphasizing decoding and basic arithmetic. Cycle 3 spans consolidation (CM1, CM2, and 6ème in collège, ages 9 to 12), ensuring smooth transition between primary and secondary education.