Hi everyone:
I passed my test today with a full mark "20 out of 20". The test was really easy.
This is how it went:
My test was at 1:00 pm at the Scarborough office. I arrived an hour ahead, went up to the third floor and reached the very busy office.
Actually it had so many people in it like a bees nest.
We first hit the main counter where the receptionists were and they instructed on where to go. So many people were there in the main waiting front area.
I spent the entire hour waiting there and observed people being called to an area where they meet with citizenship judges. Heard an officer telling a lady to wait until she is called to see a judge.
Then, I saw other people coming for their ceremonies with their pink oath letters. We were all waiting at the same lobby in the front area. Then they started calling people waiting to write their tests like myself.
They said keep your yellow paper with you, as we will verify the location and date of it at the door before we let you in.
We lined up, went in one by one, checked in and took seats. I noticed what was written on the board at the testing room:
For the interview:
- prepare your passport photocopies/originals
- PR card
- landing documents
- 2 IDs
- Oath will be sent within 2 to 4 months
- 20 questions, pass mark 15
They were actually nice enough to ask before we started the test "who did not bring photocopies of passports". Then they took their passports, photocopied them, and brought them back to the applicants along with the photocopies.
They gave us instructions on how to fill in the answer sheet step by step.
They supplied pencils and asked if anyone would like to write the test in French.
The officer said the following:
You have to pass this test in order to proceed ahead in your application.
To pass, you have to get 15 out of 20. If you get 14 out of 20, you fail the written test and will be scheduled for another test within 4 to 8 months.
She said, you must as well pass the English assessment conversation with the officer during the interview.
She said, when you are asked questions, give full answers and do not keep it short.
She said that is the only way for us to assess your English speaking skills.
She said, if you pass the written test and fail the English assessment during the interview, you will be scheduled to see a citizenship judge, which takes 2 more years to take place.
She said, circle the case ID Number on your yellow letter and write it down on your answer sheet on the provided space.
She gave full instructions on how to fill the answer sheet step by step before we started. Then we proceeded to the test.
It is a 30 minutes time test, but it takes less than 10 minutes to answer.
She said, when you go out, please do not discuss the test questions with anyone here, and if we see that happening, we will take an action against you immediately.
Whoever was done with the test, proceeded to the interview room, which has seats in it for the applicants to wait until their names are called.
The room had around 6 desks in it for the immigration officers who were interviewing people at the same time.
They were walking to one table which has our files on it brought from the testing room, pulling them one by one, calling our names.
I had to wait there around 12 minutes to be called and interviewed.
The officer was very polite and kind. Actually from my observation, all of the officers were very polite, kind and patient with people in general.
My interview took around 7 minutes. Was asked to present the original passports, PR, landing papers, IDs and passport photocopies.
I even asked the officer if she wanted the photocopies of all of the mentioned documents, she said no, we have them all on file. She said she only needs the passports photocopies.
She checked the passport quick, asked me if I still work full time, I said yes and kept talking to here about my job, education, and my career goals in the future here in Canada.
She wished me the best of luck, and told me without me asking her that oath will take from 2 to 4 months.
I thanked her and said before I left, "just to confirm, the waiting time is 4 months". She said, not really, it is 2 or even might be way faster than that.
That was it. Then I left the room, and went out again to see the huge line up for ceremony and other tests.
Some stuff that I have noticed about the Scarborough office:
- It is an extremely busy office "from the number of people I saw there"
- Officers in general are very polite and patient with people, even the ones who do not listen to the instructions
I saw a guy today coming with his test letter to reschedule as he said he was not ready for it. The senior officer told him politely that he has to send them a letter informing them about it, and stating the reasons.
She said, that it is the official way to be done. The guy actually did not seem happy and gave her an attitude kind of yelling saying " you don't understand what I am saying, you are not getting the point".
She was so polite and patient and told him," Sir, this is the way you have to do it. You should send us a letter stating the fact that you need to reschedule the test."
The guy didn't look happy at all and left the office angry.
I have noticed one more thing:
When the officials were asking people to get their yellow or pink paper out to present them during the line up, some people were not listing and kept their letters inside of their envelops.
The officers looked so pissed off as some people were not listing or even paying any attention to what they were told. However, they still dealt with it professionally and politely.
That was my experience for today, and good luck everyone.
What is your timeline? When was your ecas updated?
