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CCSE · Spanish citizenship test

Five CCSE practice questions in English and Spanish, answers explained.

The CCSE is the 25-question test on Spain's constitution, institutions, geography, culture and everyday life that you pass on the way to Spanish nationality. Here are five practice questions from across its five tareas. Each one is in English with Spanish underneath, because the real exam is in Spanish. Pick an answer, then open the explanation.

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  1. Tarea 1 · Government, law and civic participation · Three options

    When did Spanish voters approve the current Constitution in a referendum?¿Cuándo aprobaron los españoles en referéndum la Constitución actual?

    1. 6 December 1978El 6 de diciembre de 1978
    2. 20 November 1975El 20 de noviembre de 1975
    3. 23 February 1981El 23 de febrero de 1981
    Show the answer

    A. Correct. The Constitution was approved by referendum on 6 December 1978, about three years after Franco's death. That date is now a public holiday, Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución).Correcto. La Constitución se aprobó en referéndum el 6 de diciembre de 1978, unos tres años después de la muerte de Franco. Esa fecha es hoy un día festivo: el Día de la Constitución.

    Why not the others

    B. That is the date of Franco's death, which opened the transition to democracy. The Constitution came three years later, in the referendum of 6 December 1978.Es la fecha de la muerte de Franco, que abrió la transición a la democracia. La Constitución llegó tres años después, con el referéndum del 6 de diciembre de 1978.

    C. That is the date of the failed coup attempt known as 23-F. By then the Constitution had been in force for more than two years; it was approved on 6 December 1978.Es la fecha del intento fallido de golpe de Estado conocido como 23-F. Para entonces la Constitución llevaba más de dos años en vigor; se aprobó el 6 de diciembre de 1978.

  2. Tarea 2 · Fundamental rights and duties · True or false

    True or false: the Constitution guarantees parents' right for their children to receive religious and moral education in line with the parents' own convictions.Verdadero o falso: la Constitución garantiza el derecho de los padres a que sus hijos reciban la formación religiosa y moral que esté de acuerdo con sus propias convicciones.

    1. TrueVerdadero
    2. FalseFalso
    Show the answer

    A. Correct. Article 27.3 says the public authorities guarantee the right of parents to have their children receive religious and moral education that agrees with their own convictions. Article 27 also makes basic education compulsory and free.Correcto. El artículo 27.3 dice que los poderes públicos garantizan el derecho de los padres a que sus hijos reciban la formación religiosa y moral acorde con sus propias convicciones. El artículo 27 también hace la enseñanza básica obligatoria y gratuita.

    Why not the other

    B. It is true. Article 27.3 guarantees this right of parents, within an education system that is compulsory and free at the basic level (Article 27.4).Es verdadero. El artículo 27.3 garantiza este derecho de los padres, dentro de un sistema educativo en el que la enseñanza básica es obligatoria y gratuita (artículo 27.4).

  3. Tarea 3 · Territorial organization, physical and political geography · Three options

    What is the capital of the comunidad autónoma of Andalucía?Andalucía es una comunidad autónoma. ¿Qué ciudad es su capital?

    1. SevillaSevilla
    2. GranadaGranada
    3. MálagaMálaga
    Show the answer

    A. Correct. Sevilla (Seville) is the capital of Andalucía, the most populous comunidad autónoma, with eight provinces.Correcto. Sevilla es la capital de Andalucía, la comunidad autónoma con más habitantes, que tiene ocho provincias.

    Why not the others

    B. Granada is one of Andalucía's eight provincial capitals, famous for the Alhambra, but the regional capital is Sevilla.Granada es una de las ocho capitales de provincia de Andalucía, famosa por la Alhambra, pero la capital de la comunidad es Sevilla.

    C. Málaga is a large Andalusian city and provincial capital, but the capital of the comunidad is Sevilla.Málaga es una gran ciudad andaluza y capital de provincia, pero la capital de la comunidad es Sevilla.

  4. Tarea 4 · Spanish culture and history · Three options

    Which event of 1492 is linked to the Catholic Monarchs, Isabel and Fernando?¿Qué acontecimiento de 1492 está ligado a los Reyes Católicos, Isabel y Fernando?

    1. Christopher Columbus's first voyage reached AmericaEl primer viaje de Cristóbal Colón llegó a América
    2. Spain's first constitution was approved in CádizSe aprobó en Cádiz la primera constitución española
    3. Spain joined the European Economic CommunityEspaña entró en la Comunidad Económica Europea
    Show the answer

    A. Correct. In 1492 Columbus, sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs, reached America on 12 October. That same year they also took Granada, the last Muslim kingdom in the peninsula.Correcto. En 1492 Colón, con el apoyo de los Reyes Católicos, llegó a América el 12 de octubre. Ese mismo año los Reyes tomaron también Granada, el último reino musulmán de la Península.

    Why not the others

    B. The Constitution of Cádiz came much later, in 1812, during the war against Napoleon. 1492 is the year of Columbus's first voyage and the taking of Granada.La Constitución de Cádiz llegó mucho más tarde, en 1812, durante la guerra contra Napoleón. 1492 es el año del primer viaje de Colón y de la toma de Granada.

    C. Spain joined the European Economic Community in 1986, nearly five centuries later. 1492 is the year Columbus reached America.España entró en la Comunidad Económica Europea en 1986, casi cinco siglos después. 1492 es el año en que Colón llegó a América.

  5. Tarea 5 · Spanish society · Three options

    You see a serious road accident. Which single number connects you to police, ambulance and fire services anywhere in Spain?Usted ve un accidente de tráfico grave. ¿Qué número único le pone en contacto con policía, ambulancia y bomberos en cualquier lugar de España?

    1. 112112
    2. 999999
    3. 061061
    Show the answer

    A. Correct. 112 is the free European emergency number. It works across Spain and the rest of the EU from any phone, and operators can often help in several languages.Correcto. El 112 es el número europeo de emergencias, gratuito. Funciona en toda España y en el resto de la UE desde cualquier teléfono, y a menudo le atienden en varios idiomas.

    Why not the others

    B. 999 is the emergency number in the United Kingdom. In Spain, call 112.El 999 es el número de emergencias del Reino Unido. En España, llame al 112.

    C. In some comunidades autónomas 061 is a line for health emergencies, but it does not cover police or fire. For any emergency, call 112.En algunas comunidades autónomas el 061 es una línea de urgencias sanitarias, pero no cubre policía ni bomberos. Para cualquier emergencia, llame al 112.

The CCSE at a glance

How the CCSE works.

Questions
25from 5 tareas
Time
45 min
To pass
15 correctno penalty for wrong answers
Exam fee
€85paid to the Instituto Cervantes

Questions per tarea on the exam

  1. 1

    Government, law and civic participation Gobierno, legislación y participación ciudadana

    10 Q · 3 options
  2. 2

    Fundamental rights and duties Derechos y deberes fundamentales

    3 Q · true/false
  3. 3

    Territorial organization, physical and political geography Organización territorial de España. Geografía física y política

    2 Q · 3 options
  4. 4

    Spanish culture and history Cultura e historia de España

    3 Q · 3 options
  5. 5

    Spanish society Sociedad española

    7 Q · 3 options

The exam is in Spanish and is held about 10 times a year at exam centres accredited by the Instituto Cervantes. Our practice tests draw questions from each tarea in the same proportions, so your practice score is a fair guide to where you stand.

The full CCSE practice bank

Walk into the exam knowing you'll pass.

50 original CCSE practice questions in English and Spanish, covering all five tareas, with timed practice tests sized and paced like the real one (25 questions in 45 minutes, scored against the 15-correct pass mark). Every answer option is explained, and your score is broken down by tarea so you know what to study next.

€9.99 once, VAT included · 120 days of access · 14-day money-back guarantee · One payment, no subscription

CCSE questions

Before you start.

What is the CCSE?
The CCSE (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España) is the test of knowledge of Spain's constitution, institutions, culture and society that most applicants for Spanish nationality by residence must pass. It is run by the Instituto Cervantes.
How many questions are on the CCSE, and what is the pass mark?
25 questions in 45 minutes. You pass with 15 correct answers, and a wrong answer costs nothing, so answer every question. The questions come from five tareas (topic areas): tarea 1, government, law and civic participation (10 questions); tarea 2, fundamental rights and duties (3 questions); tarea 3, territorial organization, physical and political geography (2 questions); tarea 4, spanish culture and history (3 questions); tarea 5, spanish society (7 questions). Tarea 2 is true/false; the others have three options.
Is the CCSE in English?
No. The exam is in Spanish. Every question here is in English with a Spanish version alongside, so you can learn the facts in English and get used to reading them in Spanish. Switch the quiz to English, Spanish or both. Before exam day, also read the free official manual from the Instituto Cervantes, which is in Spanish.
Are these the official CCSE questions?
No. Every question here is an original practice question written by us to the published CCSE topics. The Instituto Cervantes publishes its own preparation manual free of charge, and we recommend studying it alongside our practice tests: official CCSE manual (examenes.cervantes.es).
What do I get if I pay?
All 50 practice questions, timed practice tests sized and paced like the real CCSE (25 questions, 45 minutes, scored against the 15-correct pass mark), and a written explanation for every answer option. €9.99 once, VAT included, for 120 days of access. It is not a subscription.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. 14-day money-back guarantee: a full refund within 14 days of purchase, no questions asked. Write to support@ccsepractice.com.
How much does the CCSE exam cost?
The Instituto Cervantes fee is €85, and you register through the Instituto Cervantes. Check the official site before you book, since fees and dates can change.