Taking the citizenship test is one of the final steps to becoming a Canadian citizen.

The Canadian Citizenship Test assesses your knowledge of Canadian history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.

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This guide will walk you through the following:

• How the test is performed;
• Who is eligible to take the Canadian citizenship test?
• How to prepare for the test;
• What to expect on test day; And
• What to expect after the test.

How is the Canadian citizenship test performed?

You can take the citizenship test in English or French. The test lasts 45 minutes.

Most applicants take the citizenship test online.

If you have issues with accessibility, internet access, or removing a face mask, you may request to take the test via an alternate format (for example, in person or via Microsoft Teams).

The test includes 20 questions. The questions are either multiple choice or true or false. You must answer a minimum of 15 out of 20 questions correctly to pass the test.

If you are unsuccessful, you have two more attempts within 30 days. If you fail all three test attempts, you will be invited to a hearing with a citizenship officer.

According to an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) study released earlier this year, from January 1, 2022 to June 14, 2024, the Canadian citizenship test had a 92% pass rate.

The median time to complete the test was 12 minutes.

Who is eligible to take the Canadian citizenship test?

In order to take the Canadian citizenship test, you must meet all other criteria to become a Canadian citizen.

This includes:

• Became a Canadian permanent resident;
• Have lived in Canada for three* of the last five years;
• After filing your taxes; And
• Have proven your language skills.

*In the case of temporary residents or protected persons, each day spent in Canada counts as half a day for the physical presence requirementup to a maximum of 365 days.

Whether or not you need to take the test also depends on your age. You must take the Canadian citizenship test if you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application.

People under 18 or over 54 are not required to take the test but may, in certain cases, be called for an interview.

Once you have submitted a citizenship application, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) usually sends a return receipt requested (AOR) letter or email after ensuring it is complete.

About a week after receiving your AOR, you can expect to receive an invitation to schedule your test.

If you shared your email address in your application, you can expect your invitation to come to you via email.

How can I prepare for the Canadian citizenship test?

Use the official “Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship” study guide to study for the test.

You can choose to

• read it online;
• listen to an MP3 version;
• download the PDF or ebook; Or
• order a hard copy of the study guide.

The time required to study for the test may vary depending on your learning style, prior knowledge of the subject, and study habits.

Once you are familiar with the material, you can try practice tests with sample questions available online.

While there are no official Government of Canada practice tests, some are available online that mimic the format of the Canadian Citizenship Test, helping you become familiar and feel more confident with the material.

Some examples include those from Citizenship Counts and the Richmond Public Library.

What to expect on test day?

Before the test

Decide when you want to take the test. After receiving the invitation, you can take the online test within 30 days. During this period, you have up to three chances to pass the online test.

Make sure you have everything you need for the test. You will need

• identification;
• a compatible browser and device;
• a reliable Internet connection;
• a functional webcam; And
• a suitable place to take the test (something well lit and quiet).

During the test

• Make sure your webcam is on and your face is fully visible.
• Remove items containing your personal information from the webcam view (for your privacy).
• Close other tabs, windows or programs and turn off any VPNs.
• Put away any other electronic devices you own with internet.
• Do not consult other people or other sources of information (for example, notes or the Internet).

After the test

After submitting your test online, your test result will be automatically generated.

Your official test results will be reviewed and confirmed in the coming months with instructions on how to proceed.

If you were successful, you will be contacted with next steps, which include

You may or may not be required to interview with a citizenship officer. IRCC decides whether or not to require interviews on a case-by-case basis.

During the Canadian citizenship ceremony, you will sing the Canadian national anthem and take the oath of citizenship. By taking the oath, you become a Canadian citizen.

Schedule a Free Canadian Citizenship Consultation with Cohen Immigration Law Firm