Who has to take the citizenship test
In most cases, you must take the test if you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application. You do not take it if you are under 18 or 55 and over, or if you asked for and received a waiver.
The test checks your knowledge of Canada, not your English or French. Language is a separate requirement: if you are 18 to 54, you must send proof with your application that you can speak and listen at Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level 4 or higher in English or French. Accepted proof includes a diploma, transcript or certificate from a secondary or post-secondary program taught in English or French, or approved test results. If your proof is missing, unreadable, or in another language without a certified translation, IRCC returns the whole application.
Common mistake: assuming a strong test score makes up for missing language proof. It does not. Check your language proof before you apply, because a returned application costs you months.
Citizenship test format and pass mark
The format is the same whether you take the test online, on paper, orally or by video call. Questions cover the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and Canada’s history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.
| Item | What IRCC says |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 20 |
| Question types | Multiple choice or true/false |
| Time limit | 45 minutes (online test submits itself at 45 minutes) |
| Pass mark | At least 15 correct answers out of 20 |
| Language | English or French, your choice |
| Attempts | Up to 3 chances to pass |
| Online window | 30 days, including weekends and holidays |
When you get your test invitation
You cannot book the test yourself or ask for an invitation. Most applicants receive it about 1 to 3 months after their acknowledgment of receipt (AOR), though non-routine files can take longer. Your application status tracker shows "In progress" in the citizenship test section when your test is scheduled.
The invitation usually arrives by email at least 2 to 3 business days before the start date. It is a PDF that lists your 30-day test period, the test link (or the place and time of an in-person test), your application number, your unique client identifier (UCI) and an email address for questions. Real IRCC emails come from addresses ending in @cic.gc.ca or @canada.ca, so check your junk folder and be wary of messages from any other address.
If you did not give an email address, IRCC may mail the invitation or call you. Keep your contact details up to date with IRCC while you wait, especially if you move or change email.
Taking the online test: what you need
Most applicants take the test online unless they need an accommodation. You do not need to be in Canada to take it. A webcam takes random photos during the test to confirm you are the right person and working alone, and signs of cheating or technical problems can make your result invalid.
- Sign in with your application number and UCI, and accept the privacy notice and terms.
- Select "Email me the test link". The link expires after 15 minutes, so use the newest one.
- Confirm your identity again and take photos of your ID and of yourself. Religious head coverings and glasses are fine if your face is clearly visible.
- Select "Start the test" and answer the 20 questions. Do not use other devices, study materials or the browser’s back button.
- A desktop, laptop or tablet with a webcam. Do not use a mobile phone, Chrome on an iPad, a Microsoft Surface Pro or a VPN.
- Chrome or Safari, updated, with other tabs and programs closed.
- Your permanent resident card (even if expired), or a valid photo ID with your photo and signature, such as a driver’s licence or health card.
- A quiet, well-lit place where you can be alone. A public library is acceptable. Remove items with personal information, such as a diploma, from the background.
- Enough time. Once the 45-minute timer starts it cannot be paused; you get a warning with 5 minutes left.
The official study guide: Discover Canada
All test questions are based on Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. It is free, and you can read it online, download it as a PDF or eBook, listen to the audio version or order a paper copy. IRCC warns that if you use any other material to prepare, you do so at your own risk.
A new guide is in the works. An IRCC briefing document published in 2026 says a new citizenship study guide has been created with over 95 partners, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 93, but its release date is not public. Until IRCC announces the change on its study page, Discover Canada remains the guide to study.
Some facts in Discover Canada, such as population figures, have changed since it was written. Our practice questions stick to facts that have not changed.
A four-week study plan
Reading the guide more than once helps the facts stick. This plan fits around work and family; adjust it to your pace, and start as soon as you apply rather than waiting for the invitation.
- Week 1: Read the chapters on rights and responsibilities, who Canadians are, and Canadian symbols. Note every date and name.
- Week 2: Read Canada’s history and modern Canada. Build a simple timeline from first contact to Confederation in 1867 and the provinces joining after.
- Week 3: Read how Canadians govern themselves, federal elections, the justice system, the economy and the regions. Learn the federal, provincial and municipal roles, and every provincial and territorial capital.
- Week 4: Take a practice round every day. For each wrong answer, reread that part of the guide. Aim to score well above 15 out of 20 before the real test.
If you fail or miss the test
Whether you take the test online, on Microsoft Teams or in person, you have up to 3 chances to pass within your 30-day test period. Online, you simply sign in again and retake it; for an in-person or Teams test, IRCC sends you a new invitation for another time. Results usually arrive within a few weeks or months.
If you fail all 3 times, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship official. It lasts 30 to 90 minutes. The officer may give you an oral knowledge test of 20 questions (you must get 15 right), ask about your residence in Canada, and check your English or French with up to 9 questions (you must get 6 right). If you fail the hearing, your application is refused and you must apply again and pay the fees again.
If you miss your first online invitation, IRCC sends a new one automatically with a new 30-day period. If you miss a second time, email the rescheduling address in your invitation with an explanation, your application number and your UCI. If you miss twice and do not contact IRCC, your application is abandoned. For a missed in-person or Teams test, send your explanation within 30 days of the missed date.
Interview, ceremony and oath
After you pass, you may be invited to an interview, depending on your case. The interview verifies your identity and eligibility and checks your documents. Bring the originals of the documents you sent, plus every passport or travel document you used in the 5 years before you applied. An interview does not always end with a final decision.
The last step is the citizenship ceremony, in person or virtual, which lasts a few hours. Staff check your identity and collect your permanent resident card (in a virtual ceremony you cut it with scissors). Adults and children aged 14 to 17 take the Oath of Citizenship, and you must sign the oath form on the same day.
Rules and timelines change, so always check the current IRCC pages before you act. We don't provide legal opinions; for advice on your file, contact an RCIC-verified consultant or a lawyer.
Canadian citizenship practice test
Each round gives you 20 random questions from a bank of 103. The real test has 20 questions, a 45-minute limit, and you pass with 15 correct answers. This practice round is not timed.
We wrote these questions from facts in the official study guide, Discover Canada. They are not IRCC test questions. Read the official study guide on canada.ca