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Canadian Citizenship Test FAQs 
1) Who has to take the test?
Everyone between the ages of 18 and 54 has to take the test when called upon.
2) What if I am under 18, or over 54?
In which case you avoid the test and go directly for a Citizenship Interview and the Oath Ceremony. Children under 14 are not required to take the oath, but are welcome to.
3) What is the format of the test?
It is a written test. There will be a question sheet and a separate answer sheet.
4) What is the language used for the test?
The citizenship test is available in either of the two official Canadian languages, English or French. The candidate selects which of the two languages s/he would want to use.
5) How many questions are there / and in what time I need to finish the test?
There will be 20 multiple choice questions. You have to answer them in 30 minutes.
6) Why is the answer sheet separate from the question paper?
This is an OCR answer sheet. The assessment is computerized. Which means:
7) How do I mark my answers?
There are two types of answer sheets involved. One requires circling the correct response, while the other needs blackening out the space under the correct letter (A, B, C, or D). You'll be notified about the type before hand.
8) How is the answer sheet assessed?
It is computerized, by use of a response scanner.
9) What are the types of questions?
The question paper is set broadly over five categories:
10) How difficult is the test?
Simply put, it is very easy. Majority of applicants pass the test. For most of us - a week's deep study of the IRCC recommended "Discover Canada" booklet* is good enough, alongwith a general knowledge of the province/territory you reside in. The Discover Canada booklet is available either:
*Some typical questions are given at the end of the Discover Canada booklet itself.
11) Are there a fixed amount of questions from which the question papers are set?
Yes, and no. Typically it is believed there are 1000 questions in the total question pool - from which IRCC selects approx. 15; and there are another 200 questions specific to provinces and territories - from which IRCC selects approx. 5. For a total of 20 questions per paper. Plus/minus a few give or take. However, it is pure speculation (loosely justified tho).
12) How do I parctice for the test?
There are various online sites where sample tests are available for practice. It is better to visit those sites which has the most quantity of questions available. Obviously b'coz that helps in assimilating over a broader range of the question pool (read point #11 above). Some of the recommended sites as such are:
NOTE: Tho some of the questions would be repeated between the above sites, but that's the point. Adds to you practice.
TIP: Many of the sites have an additional "timed test" option. Initially practice on the regular method ~ then switch-over to the 'timed method' when you're confident.
13) Citizenship Test Mobile Apps:
To further assist with your practice you may download the free Citizenship Test Apps:
However, don't rely heavily on these apps for questions specific to applicants' province - b'coz they're not timely updated. For the other parts these apps are just fine.
14) Citizenship Preparation Classes:
Besides ESL classes, many of the local community centres also organize citizenship preparation classes from time-to-time. E.g.:
*Call up you local community centre to know more
15) What should I score to pass the citizenship test?
To pass the exam you must get 15 correct answers out of the 20 (75%). There are no more mandatory questions as was earlier.
16) Can someone fail the citizenship test?
The citizenship test is intended to measure two things:
Unfortunately one would fail if s/he is not well versed with either of the two official languages. B'coz knowing the language first is premptive to grasp the requisite Canadian knowledge and partake the correct responses in the test.
17) What happens if I fail the test?
You have one more chance to take the exam. You'll receive a fresh date for a second test, usually scheduled after 2-3 months. If you don’t pass the second time, you will receive a notice requiring you to come to an interview with a citizenship officer. Which would add another 3 odd months. The interview could last anywhere between 30-90 minutes on a case-to-case basis.
CAUTION:
18) What happens after I pass the test?
If you pass the test you'll receive an "Oath Ceremony" date at the same time you get the test results, or by email (if applicable) and/or by letter-post with the date, time and venue of your ceremony. The ceremony will usually take place within 3 months after your test. At the ceremony you will:
This is the day you actually become a Canadian! As a new citizen you must wait at least 2 business days before you can apply for your Canadian Passport. This is the timeframe recommended by IRCC to update their online system.
BOTTOMLINE:
As long as you can converse, read and write in the chosen language (English or French) you can easily pass the citizenship test with flying colors. It is not uncommon to find folks scoring 20/20 in the tests. And many of them are not even Anglophones or Francophones.
Good luck!
Qorax
1) Who has to take the test?
Everyone between the ages of 18 and 54 has to take the test when called upon.
2) What if I am under 18, or over 54?
In which case you avoid the test and go directly for a Citizenship Interview and the Oath Ceremony. Children under 14 are not required to take the oath, but are welcome to.
3) What is the format of the test?
It is a written test. There will be a question sheet and a separate answer sheet.
4) What is the language used for the test?
The citizenship test is available in either of the two official Canadian languages, English or French. The candidate selects which of the two languages s/he would want to use.
5) How many questions are there / and in what time I need to finish the test?
There will be 20 multiple choice questions. You have to answer them in 30 minutes.
6) Why is the answer sheet separate from the question paper?
This is an OCR answer sheet. The assessment is computerized. Which means:
a) There is no physical evaluation by a human hand (for objectivity) and
b) It is a faster process. The results are announced immediately in the exam hall.
b) It is a faster process. The results are announced immediately in the exam hall.
7) How do I mark my answers?
There are two types of answer sheets involved. One requires circling the correct response, while the other needs blackening out the space under the correct letter (A, B, C, or D). You'll be notified about the type before hand.
8) How is the answer sheet assessed?
It is computerized, by use of a response scanner.
9) What are the types of questions?
The question paper is set broadly over five categories:
a) Rights and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen - (e.g. "Name three legal rights protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms")
b) Canadian history - (e.g. "Who were the United Empire Loyalists?")
c) Canadian political systems - (e.g. "How are members of Parliament chosen?")
d) Canadian physical and political geography - (e.g. "Where are the Parliament buildings located?")
e) Questions specific to applicants' province - (e.g. "Who is the premier of Ontario?")
b) Canadian history - (e.g. "Who were the United Empire Loyalists?")
c) Canadian political systems - (e.g. "How are members of Parliament chosen?")
d) Canadian physical and political geography - (e.g. "Where are the Parliament buildings located?")
e) Questions specific to applicants' province - (e.g. "Who is the premier of Ontario?")
10) How difficult is the test?
Simply put, it is very easy. Majority of applicants pass the test. For most of us - a week's deep study of the IRCC recommended "Discover Canada" booklet* is good enough, alongwith a general knowledge of the province/territory you reside in. The Discover Canada booklet is available either:
a) For Online Reading, or
b) By PDF Download, or
c) As an Audio Book, or
d) Requesting a Physical Booklet by mail
b) By PDF Download, or
c) As an Audio Book, or
d) Requesting a Physical Booklet by mail
*Some typical questions are given at the end of the Discover Canada booklet itself.
11) Are there a fixed amount of questions from which the question papers are set?
Yes, and no. Typically it is believed there are 1000 questions in the total question pool - from which IRCC selects approx. 15; and there are another 200 questions specific to provinces and territories - from which IRCC selects approx. 5. For a total of 20 questions per paper. Plus/minus a few give or take. However, it is pure speculation (loosely justified tho).
12) How do I parctice for the test?
There are various online sites where sample tests are available for practice. It is better to visit those sites which has the most quantity of questions available. Obviously b'coz that helps in assimilating over a broader range of the question pool (read point #11 above). Some of the recommended sites as such are:
a) 800citizen.org -100 questions
b) Richmond Public Library -150 questions
c) Apna Toronto -200 questions
d) citizenshiptests.ca -280 questions
e) thecanadiantest.com -480 questions
f) Top Tips Club -500 questions
b) Richmond Public Library -150 questions
c) Apna Toronto -200 questions
d) citizenshiptests.ca -280 questions
e) thecanadiantest.com -480 questions
f) Top Tips Club -500 questions
NOTE: Tho some of the questions would be repeated between the above sites, but that's the point. Adds to you practice.
TIP: Many of the sites have an additional "timed test" option. Initially practice on the regular method ~ then switch-over to the 'timed method' when you're confident.
13) Citizenship Test Mobile Apps:
To further assist with your practice you may download the free Citizenship Test Apps:
However, don't rely heavily on these apps for questions specific to applicants' province - b'coz they're not timely updated. For the other parts these apps are just fine.
14) Citizenship Preparation Classes:
Besides ESL classes, many of the local community centres also organize citizenship preparation classes from time-to-time. E.g.:
a) Region of Peel
b) Toronto Public Library
c) COSTI
d) India Rainbow Community Services
e) Amazing 10 weeks course at HWDSB
b) Toronto Public Library
c) COSTI
d) India Rainbow Community Services
e) Amazing 10 weeks course at HWDSB
*Call up you local community centre to know more
15) What should I score to pass the citizenship test?
To pass the exam you must get 15 correct answers out of the 20 (75%). There are no more mandatory questions as was earlier.
16) Can someone fail the citizenship test?
The citizenship test is intended to measure two things:
a) How well you can understand one of Canada's official languages (English or French) and
b) Your knowledge about the country.
b) Your knowledge about the country.
Unfortunately one would fail if s/he is not well versed with either of the two official languages. B'coz knowing the language first is premptive to grasp the requisite Canadian knowledge and partake the correct responses in the test.
17) What happens if I fail the test?
You have one more chance to take the exam. You'll receive a fresh date for a second test, usually scheduled after 2-3 months. If you don’t pass the second time, you will receive a notice requiring you to come to an interview with a citizenship officer. Which would add another 3 odd months. The interview could last anywhere between 30-90 minutes on a case-to-case basis.
CAUTION:
a) This could take a while to be scheduled. Thus, your citizenship processing will be considerably delayed.
b) Between 2007-2017 more than 56,000 people had citizenship refusals, the majority of them for failing the tests.
c) This is beyond the "waivers". Under the Conservative government, between 200-400 waivers were granted yearly. In 2016 the Liberal government issued 2,378 waivers.
b) Between 2007-2017 more than 56,000 people had citizenship refusals, the majority of them for failing the tests.
c) This is beyond the "waivers". Under the Conservative government, between 200-400 waivers were granted yearly. In 2016 the Liberal government issued 2,378 waivers.
18) What happens after I pass the test?
If you pass the test you'll receive an "Oath Ceremony" date at the same time you get the test results, or by email (if applicable) and/or by letter-post with the date, time and venue of your ceremony. The ceremony will usually take place within 3 months after your test. At the ceremony you will:
a) Take the Oath of Citizenship and
b) Get your Citizenship Certificate
b) Get your Citizenship Certificate
This is the day you actually become a Canadian! As a new citizen you must wait at least 2 business days before you can apply for your Canadian Passport. This is the timeframe recommended by IRCC to update their online system.
BOTTOMLINE:
As long as you can converse, read and write in the chosen language (English or French) you can easily pass the citizenship test with flying colors. It is not uncommon to find folks scoring 20/20 in the tests. And many of them are not even Anglophones or Francophones.
Good luck!
Qorax
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