Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to share our experience in Ottawa when my spouse and I went for our document checks and the test a couple of days ago. This post also relates to an earlier post regarding taking a child to the test:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/taking-child-to-the-citizenship-test-t183201.0.html
In short, our experience was smooth, and the officers were very nice and accommodating.
Elaborately, we went well ahead of time (an hour earlier than the scheduled time) just to make sure we get parking (when we went to check on an earlier date, the designated lot for the building was getting full very quickly). The waiting area was sufficient and comfortable, and there were a few people already queuing up. Most of the applicants for this time slot came after us though. So, it helps to go earlier, as then you can finish the interview early. We took turns for the interview, but the same officer will process all applicants from a family one after the other. She spent about 10 minutes for each of us. Very smooth conversation, but she diligently checked all the stamps in our passports and made sure she clarified the details of our trips if she was in doubt. Once she was satisfied, she gave us the answer sheet for the test (not the questions), and asked us to go into the room whenever we feel ready before the test starts.
Now, at this point, we told her that we have brought our two-year old, as we couldn't make arrangements for her care for the day. We asked if we could take the test in turns, but she said (very politely) that everybody starts the test at the same time, and so she would shift one of us to the afternoon test on the same day if that works for us! That was a great option for us and, of course, we took it! So, "the Mom" took the test first, we had lunch after (there is "The Works" within walking distance), and then went back for the Dad's test.
The tests we pretty easy if you had prepared well. We prepared for about a week - read the book thoroughly and did about ten practice tests online. So, both of us could ace the test.
After the Dad took the test, the same officer who moved him to the afternoon slot made sure she joined the test paper with the rest of the file.
That's it! She said we will have to wait for the next letter, which would, hopefully, be for the ceremony!
Thanks everyone here in the forum for the responses.
Hope this post helps people.
Just wanted to share our experience in Ottawa when my spouse and I went for our document checks and the test a couple of days ago. This post also relates to an earlier post regarding taking a child to the test:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/taking-child-to-the-citizenship-test-t183201.0.html
In short, our experience was smooth, and the officers were very nice and accommodating.
Elaborately, we went well ahead of time (an hour earlier than the scheduled time) just to make sure we get parking (when we went to check on an earlier date, the designated lot for the building was getting full very quickly). The waiting area was sufficient and comfortable, and there were a few people already queuing up. Most of the applicants for this time slot came after us though. So, it helps to go earlier, as then you can finish the interview early. We took turns for the interview, but the same officer will process all applicants from a family one after the other. She spent about 10 minutes for each of us. Very smooth conversation, but she diligently checked all the stamps in our passports and made sure she clarified the details of our trips if she was in doubt. Once she was satisfied, she gave us the answer sheet for the test (not the questions), and asked us to go into the room whenever we feel ready before the test starts.
Now, at this point, we told her that we have brought our two-year old, as we couldn't make arrangements for her care for the day. We asked if we could take the test in turns, but she said (very politely) that everybody starts the test at the same time, and so she would shift one of us to the afternoon test on the same day if that works for us! That was a great option for us and, of course, we took it! So, "the Mom" took the test first, we had lunch after (there is "The Works" within walking distance), and then went back for the Dad's test.
The tests we pretty easy if you had prepared well. We prepared for about a week - read the book thoroughly and did about ten practice tests online. So, both of us could ace the test.
After the Dad took the test, the same officer who moved him to the afternoon slot made sure she joined the test paper with the rest of the file.
That's it! She said we will have to wait for the next letter, which would, hopefully, be for the ceremony!
Thanks everyone here in the forum for the responses.
Hope this post helps people.