The Canadian Citizenship Test is the last step you must take before the swearing of the Oath of Citizenship. You must pass this test if you are to become a Canadian Citizen. All the work and preparation necessary to reach this stage of your application will be in vain if you do not pass the Citizenship Test. Make sure you understand:
Here are Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs that will help you understand and prepare for the citizenship test:
All applicants between the ages of 14 and 64 years on the date of their application must take the test.
It is generally written, although you may be allowed to take the test in oral form during an interview with a citizenship officer. This is often the case for those who have some difficulty reading and writing in English or French.
Yes, the written test consists of 20 multiple choice questions that you must complete within 30 minutes.
You must answer correctly at least 15 out of the 20 questions. The passing score is 75%, in other words.
The citizenship test must be taken in one of the two official languages of Canada: English or French. It cannot be taken in any other language.
You will be sent a notice by IRCC inviting you to take the test once your application for Canadian citizenship has been processed and approved. This notice will give you the time and date of your test and where you will take it.
Read more about Citizenship Test appointments.
Your notice will also tell you where to take the test. It is generally at the IRCC office nearest to where you live.
Yes. If you cannot attend at the time and date given in the notice, you may reschedule the test. The notice inviting you to take the test will also have instructions on how to reschedule the test.
If it is the first time you have received an invitation to take the test, you have 30 days from the date of the test to contact IRCC to inform them why you missed your test. If your reasons are valid, you will receive another notice with a new date to take the test. This notice will also be considered a first notice, as long as your reasons for missing the test are valid.
What happens if I miss the first test and do not have a valid reason or do not inform IRCC?
Your final notice will have information on how to contact IRCC and you must do this within 30 days of the test date. If you have a valid reason for missing this test date you will be given another final notice with a new test date. If you do not have a valid reason, or do not contact IRCC within 30 days, your application may be abandoned or closed. You will then have to apply for citizenship all over again.
Some examples of reasons that may be accepted as valid for your missing a test are:
All the material used for the test can be found in Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship.
How to Prepare for the Citizenship Test
The test will have questions on:
Discover Canada has sample questions and you can take the sample citizenship test IMMIgroup created by clicking the button at the top of this page or by clicking here.
Review the Practice Materials
When you arrive to take the test you should bring:
You will be told immediately after taking the test whether you have passed or failed.
If you meet all the criteria for citizenship but fail to pass the written test, you will be rescheduled for a second test, usually 4-8 weeks after your first test, but sometimes longer. If you are unable to take the test on that date, you must inform IRCC within 30 days. The notice inviting you to re-write the test will have instructions on how to contact the IRCC if unable to re-take the test on the date given.
Learn More
If you do not pass the second test you will receive a notice from the IRCC to appear for an interview with a citizenship officer. The officer will interview you for 60 to 90 minutes, and ask you about:
Your application will be processed separately from those of any other family members who have applied at the same time as you, unless you specifically request that they be processed along with yours. This may delay the applications of your other family members.
You may reschedule your hearing. Your notice to attend the hearing will have information on how to schedule a new hearing. It will also inform you of the consequences of failing to attend the hearing.
If you pass the test and meet all the other citizenship requirements, you will either be given a ceremony date at that point, or you will be mailed a notice with the ceremony time and date.
The ceremony is held within 6 months of your citizenship test and it is when you will take the Oath of Citizenship and receive your Citizenship Certificate. You may then apply for a Canadian Passport.