The Canadian Citizenship Test: Format, Pass Mark, and How to Prepare

Who has to take the citizenship test

Most adult applicants for Canadian citizenship must take the test. Generally it applies to applicants who are between 18 and 54 years old at the time they sign their application (always confirm the current age range on the IRCC website, as it can change). Applicants who are 55 or older, and most applicants under 18, are usually not required to take it.

What this means for you: if you are, say, 56 when you apply, you typically will not have to write the test or meet the formal language requirement, though you may still attend a short interview. If you are 17, you generally apply as a minor and are not tested. The age is measured at the time you apply, not when you eventually take the test, so a borderline birthday can matter.

You must already be a permanent resident and meet the other citizenship requirements before you reach the test stage. That generally includes having been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the 5 years immediately before you apply, and having filed Canadian income taxes for at least 3 of those 5 years if you were required to. The test is one piece of the larger eligibility picture, not the whole thing.

Test format and passing score (20 questions, pass 15)

The citizenship test has 20 questions in multiple-choice or true-or-false format. It is offered in English or French and lasts 45 minutes. You need to answer at least 15 of the 20 questions correctly, which is 75%, to pass. Once the timer starts you cannot pause it, and the test is submitted automatically when time runs out, so pace yourself.

Most applicants are invited to take the test online and can complete it from anywhere with an internet connection. In some cases, for example if an accommodation is needed, you may be asked to take it in person or by video. If you need accommodations because of a disability or other circumstance, you can ask IRCC about options such as extra time.

The test itself does not assess your language ability. The language requirement (for applicants aged 18 to 54, generally Canadian Language Benchmark / Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens level 4 or higher in speaking and listening) is handled separately, through accepted proof of language and, where applicable, an interview where a citizenship officer notes how well you communicate in English or French.

How many chances you get, and what happens if you do not pass

You generally have up to 3 chances to demonstrate your knowledge of Canada. If you do not pass the first test, IRCC will usually schedule a second test at no extra cost. There is no separate fee to retake the test; it is covered by your original application fee.

If you do not pass after your test attempts, you are typically invited to a hearing with a citizenship official, where you answer questions verbally instead. The exact sequence and timing are set by IRCC and can change, so rely on the instructions in your own invitation and on canada.ca rather than on a fixed timeline. A single failed attempt does not mean your application is refused; it usually just moves you to the next step.

What the test covers

Questions are based on the rights and responsibilities of being a Canadian citizen, and on Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols. Every question comes from the official study guide, so there are no surprises outside that material.

Concrete examples of topics include how Canadians govern themselves (Parliament, the roles of the monarch, governor general, prime minister, and the Supreme Court), how and why to vote, the justice system and the rule of law, national and provincial symbols such as the flag and the maple leaf, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and key facts about the regions, peoples, and history of Canada, including Indigenous peoples and the history of Confederation.

Because the questions are drawn directly from the guide, you do not need outside reading or current-events knowledge. Focusing on the official material is both the most efficient and the most accurate way to prepare.

How to study and prepare

Use the official study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. It is free and available to read online, download as a PDF or eBook, listen to as audio, or order in paper form. Because all test questions come from it, studying it thoroughly is the best preparation, and you do not need to pay for any third-party course or app.

Practical approach: read the guide more than once, then test yourself with the official study questions on canada.ca and any practice questions you find, paying close attention to dates, names, numbers, and symbols, which are common sources of mistakes. You can start studying at any time, even before you are eligible to apply, so there is no harm in beginning early.

On test day, read each question carefully, watch for true-or-false wording that can flip an answer, and keep an eye on the 45-minute clock so you have time to review. If English or French is not your first language, practising in the language you will be tested in helps you read the questions quickly and confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions