CCSE exam guide
CCSE exam 2026: format, dates, fee and results
Everything you need to know about the CCSE, the Instituto Cervantes test of constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain that applicants for Spanish nationality by residence must pass. This guide is written by the independent CCSE 2026 app and links to the official sources.
Exam rules, dates and fees can change. Always confirm the current information with Instituto Cervantes and the Ministry of Justice (Ministerio de Justicia) before you register.
What is the CCSE and who needs it?
The CCSE (Prueba de Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España) is an exam designed and run by Instituto Cervantes. It tests knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and of Spain's government, society, culture, history and geography.
If you apply for Spanish nationality by residence, you must pass two exams: the CCSE and a Spanish language exam at level A2 or higher (DELE A2). This also applies to spouses of Spanish citizens, who apply through the same residence procedure.
Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are excused from the DELE but must still pass the CCSE. An official Spanish certificate at level A2, B1 or B2 issued by an education authority, such as an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas, is also accepted as proof of Spanish.
Source: BOE: Law 19/2015, final provision 7 · BOE: Royal Decree 1004/2015, art. 6 · BOE: Order JUS/1625/2016, art. 10
Exam format: 25 questions in 45 minutes
The exam has 25 questions and you have 45 minutes to answer them. Each question is either multiple choice with three options, of which one is correct, or true/false.
Each correct answer scores one point, and wrong or blank answers do not subtract points. You pass with 15 correct answers (60%).
The questions are in Spanish and are divided into five tasks:
| Task | Topic | Questions | Question type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government, legislation and citizen participationGobierno, legislación y participación ciudadana | 10 | Multiple choice |
| 2 | Fundamental rights and dutiesDerechos y deberes fundamentales | 3 | True/false |
| 3 | Territorial organisation of Spain and geographyOrganización territorial de España. Geografía física y política | 2 | Multiple choice |
| 4 | Culture and history of SpainCultura e historia de España | 3 | Multiple choice |
| 5 | Spanish societySociedad española | 7 | Multiple choice |
| Total: 25 questions | |||
Tasks 1 to 3 (15 questions) cover the Constitution, government and territory; tasks 4 and 5 (10 questions) cover culture, history and society.
Source: Instituto Cervantes: how the exam works · Instituto Cervantes: the exam
The official manual and question bank
Instituto Cervantes publishes a free preparation manual every year with the questions used in the exam. The 2026 manual contains 300 questions and applies to exams from January 2026. According to Instituto Cervantes, about 25% of the questions were renewed compared with 2025.
The 300 questions are split by task: 120 for task 1, 36 for task 2, 24 for task 3, 36 for task 4 and 84 for task 5. Instituto Cervantes also offers other free preparation material, such as audio recordings of the 2026 questions.
CCSE 2026 is an independent practice app. Its 300 practice questions are organised in the same five topics; always use the official manual for the official wording.
Exam dates and registration deadlines
The CCSE is usually held on the last Thursday of each month, except in August and December, which gives ten exam dates a year. Exam centres may offer more than one time slot on each date.
Registration for each date usually closes about three weeks before the exam, and a centre can run out of places earlier. Instituto Cervantes publishes the dates and deadlines for each year on its exam calendar, so check it before you plan your nationality application.
Source: Instituto Cervantes: exam dates
How to register and how much it costs
You register online in your user area on the Instituto Cervantes exam website, using your NIE (foreigner identity number), and choose an exam centre and date. The exam is taken in person at one of more than 200 exam centres in Spain.
The fee is €85, paid by credit or debit card when you register. It includes the exam, the certificate and the official preparation material. You can ask for a refund within 14 calendar days of registering.
The nationality application has its own separate fee, which does not include the price of the CCSE or the DELE.
Source: Instituto Cervantes: price · Instituto Cervantes: registration · Instituto Cervantes: exam centres · Instituto Cervantes: frequently asked questions
On the day of the exam
Bring your registration receipt, your original passport and your original TIE (foreigner identity card). Family members of EU citizens can show their EU family residence card instead of the TIE, and EU citizens their passport and the national identity card of their country. Only in exceptional cases is a single original document accepted.
Because wrong answers do not subtract points, answer every question, and keep an eye on the time: 45 minutes for 25 questions is a little under two minutes per question.
Source: Instituto Cervantes: frequently asked questions · BOE: Order JUS/1625/2016, art. 10
Results and certificate
Results are usually published about 20 days after the exam. You receive an email and can see the result in your private area on the Instituto Cervantes exam website.
The result is APTO (pass), NO APTO (fail) or NO PRESENTADO (did not attend), without a score. You can download an electronically signed certificate with a verification code (CSV).
The CCSE certificate is valid for 4 years. If you authorise it, the Ministry of Justice can check your result directly.
Source: Instituto Cervantes: results · BOE: Order JUS/1625/2016, art. 10 · Instituto Cervantes: frequently asked questions
If you fail or miss the exam
Each registration includes two attempts. If you fail or do not attend the first exam, you can take a second attempt free of charge at the same centre within 6 months of the first exam date. You can book it once the results of the first exam are published.
There is no limit on the number of registrations, but each new registration is paid.
Source: Instituto Cervantes: price · Instituto Cervantes: frequently asked questions
Exemptions and special arrangements
Applicants under 18 and people whose legal capacity has been modified by a court are exempt from the CCSE and the DELE.
Applicants who went to school in Spain and completed compulsory secondary education (ESO) can be excused from the exams and attach proof to their nationality application.
People who cannot read or write, or who have learning difficulties, can ask the Ministry of Justice for a waiver. The Ministry can grant it, refuse it or allow adapted exams, and Instituto Cervantes holds special oral exam sessions for candidates who cannot read.
Candidates with a disability can ask their exam centre for special conditions at least two weeks before the exam, and a version in Spanish Sign Language is available for deaf candidates. This summary is for orientation only: check your own case with the Ministry of Justice.
Source: BOE: Order JUS/1625/2016, art. 10 · Ministry of Justice: nationality by residence · Instituto Cervantes: who can take the exam · Instituto Cervantes: frequently asked questions
How to prepare for the CCSE
Start with the official manual and learn the questions task by task. Task 1 (government) and task 5 (society) together make up 17 of the 25 exam questions, so give them the most time.
Then take full mock tests under exam conditions: 25 questions in 45 minutes. Aim to pass with a margin, not just with 15 correct answers, and review every mistake.
If Spanish is not your first language, study the questions in your language next to the Spanish original, but make sure you recognise the Spanish wording, because the exam is in Spanish only.
Official sources
CCSE 2026 is an independent app, not affiliated with Instituto Cervantes or the Ministry of Justice. This guide is general information, not legal advice.