Canadian Citizenship Practice Test: 20 Sample Questions

The real Canadian citizenship test has 20 questions, lasts 45 minutes and needs at least 15 correct answers. The quickest way to see where you stand is to answer questions in the same style. Below are 20 sample questions on rights and responsibilities, history, government, justice, symbols and geography, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. We wrote them in the style of the test; they are not copied from IRCC. We checked every answer against Discover Canada, the official study guide, on October 17, 2026.

How the real test is built

IRCC describes the citizenship test like this:

20 questions, each either multiple choice or true or false
45 minutes
at least 15 of the 20 questions right to pass, with 3 chances to pass
in English or French, based on the information in the study guide Discover Canada
no questions that assess your English or French; language skills are checked separately

Most applicants take the test online, from anywhere, within 30 days of their invitation. Read how the format works in more detail in our guide to the citizenship test format.

20 sample questions with answers

Question 1
In what year was Magna Carta signed in England, the start of the 800-year tradition of ordered liberty that Canadians inherited?
- A1215
- B1776
- C1391
- D1066
Correct answer: A, 1215
Why: Discover Canada traces the rights and freedoms of Canadians back to the signing of Magna Carta in England in 1215.
Question 2
Which of the following is listed in Discover Canada as a responsibility of citizenship?
- ALearning a third language
- BOwning property in Canada
- CPaying dues to a political party
- DJury duty when summoned
Correct answer: D, Jury duty when summoned
Why: When called to serve on a jury, you are legally required to do so. The justice system depends on impartial juries made up of citizens.
Question 3
What are Canada's three founding peoples according to Discover Canada?
- AEnglish, Scottish and Irish
- BAboriginal, Métis and Inuit
- CAboriginal, French and British
- DFrench, German and Ukrainian
Correct answer: C, Aboriginal, French and British
Why: The guide names the Aboriginal, French and British peoples as Canada's three founding peoples.
Question 4
Which is the only officially bilingual province in Canada?
- ANova Scotia
- BNew Brunswick
- CPrince Edward Island
- DQuebec
Correct answer: B, New Brunswick
Why: Discover Canada states that New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province.
Question 5
On what date was the Dominion of Canada officially born under the British North America Act?
- AApril 9, 1917
- BJanuary 11, 1815
- CNovember 7, 1885
- DJuly 1, 1867
Correct answer: D, July 1, 1867
Why: The British Parliament passed the British North America Act in 1867, and the Dominion of Canada was officially born on July 1, 1867.
Question 6
Which level of government is mainly responsible for highways and natural resources?
- AFederal and municipal governments jointly
- BMunicipal governments
- CThe federal government
- DThe provincial governments
Correct answer: D, The provincial governments
Why: The guide lists municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways as provincial responsibilities.
Question 7
Who represents the Sovereign at the federal level in Canada?
- AThe Governor General
- BThe Commissioner
- CThe Lieutenant Governor
- DThe Premier
Correct answer: A, The Governor General
Why: The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General. In each province the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor.
Question 8
What is the final step before a bill that has passed both the House of Commons and the Senate becomes law?
- ASecond Reading
- BThe Report Stage
- CFirst Reading
- DRoyal Assent
Correct answer: D, Royal Assent
Why: No bill can become law until it has been passed by both chambers and has received royal assent, granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign.
Question 9
To vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen, be on the voters' list and be at least how old on voting day?
- A18
- B19
- C16
- D21
Correct answer: A, 18
Why: You are eligible to vote if you are a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day and on the voters' list.
Question 10
What is the name of a system in which powers are divided between a national government and provincial or territorial governments?
- ADirect democracy
- BUnitary government
- CAbsolute monarchy
- DFederalism
Correct answer: D, Federalism
Why: Canada is a federal state: the federal government takes responsibility for matters of national and international concern, and the provinces for areas such as education and health.
Question 11
Which court is Canada's highest court?
- AFederal Court of Canada
- BCourt of King's Bench
- CSupreme Court of Canada
- DProvincial Court of Appeal
Correct answer: C, Supreme Court of Canada
Why: Discover Canada calls the Supreme Court of Canada the country's highest court.
Question 12
What does Canada's national motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare, mean in English?
- AFrom sea to sea
- BOne nation, undivided
- CStrength through unity
- DPeace, order and good government
Correct answer: A, From sea to sea
Why: Canada adopted the motto A Mari Usque Ad Mare, which in Latin means "from sea to sea".
Question 13
Which police force is Canada's national police force, known as "the Mounties"?
- AMunicipal police departments
- BProvincial police forces
- CThe Canadian Armed Forces
- DThe Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Correct answer: D, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Why: Discover Canada describes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as the national police force and one of Canada's best known symbols.
Question 14
Which sport is Canada's official summer sport?
- ACanadian football
- BSoccer
- CLacrosse
- DCurling
Correct answer: C, Lacrosse
Why: Lacrosse, an ancient sport first played by Aboriginal peoples, is the official summer sport. Hockey is considered to be the national winter sport.
Question 15
Which ocean lies along Canada's western coast?
- APacific Ocean
- BAtlantic Ocean
- CIndian Ocean
- DArctic Ocean
Correct answer: A, Pacific Ocean
Why: Three oceans line Canada's frontiers: the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Atlantic Ocean in the east and the Arctic Ocean to the north.
Question 16
Today, the term "Aboriginal peoples" refers to which three distinct groups?
- AFirst Nations, Inuit and Métis
- BFirst Nations, Inuit and Loyalists
- CInuit, Métis and Quebecers
- DFirst Nations, Acadians and Métis
Correct answer: A, First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Why: Discover Canada explains that the term Aboriginal peoples refers to three distinct groups: First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
Question 17
The Governor General is appointed by the Sovereign on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for how many years?
- AThree
- BTen
- CSeven
- DFive
Correct answer: D, Five
Why: The Governor General is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years.
Question 18
True or false: the Head of State and the Head of Government are the same person in Canada.
- ATrue
- BFalse
Correct answer: B, False
Why: False. The head of state is the Sovereign. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who actually directs the governing of the country.
Question 19
True or false: senators are elected directly by the voters of their province.
- ATrue
- BFalse
Correct answer: B, False
Why: False. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
Question 20
What must a new citizen do at the citizenship ceremony?
- ARenounce all other citizenships
- BTake the Oath of Citizenship
- CPresent a job offer in Canada
- DGive a short speech in English or French
Correct answer: B, Take the Oath of Citizenship
Why: Adults aged 18 and over must take the oath of citizenship at the citizenship ceremony once their application is approved. Canada allows dual citizenship.

How to use these questions

Cover the answer, pick one option, then read the explanation, even when you were right. Twenty questions are only a sample of what the test can ask, so 15 correct here does not guarantee a pass. Treat a wrong answer as a pointer: open the matching topic in the guide and read the whole section, not just the line that holds the answer.

IRCC states that Discover Canada is the only official study guide and that you use other material at your own risk. These sample questions are a way to test yourself; the guide is what you study from.

Which topic to review after a wrong answer

Questions 1 and 5 (Magna Carta, 1867): Canada's History
Questions 2 and 9 (jury duty, voting): Rights and Responsibilities and Federal Elections
Questions 3 and 16 (founding peoples, Aboriginal peoples): Aboriginal Peoples
Questions 6, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18 and 19 (levels of government, Governor General, Royal Assent, federalism, Parliament): How Canadians Govern Themselves
Questions 11 and 20 (Supreme Court, the oath): The Justice System and The Oath of Citizenship
Questions 12, 13 and 14 (motto, RCMP, lacrosse): Canadian Symbols
Questions 4 and 15 (New Brunswick, the Pacific Ocean): Canada's Regions

Where to practise next

The test also asks about history, geography and government at a level that rewards repetition. If you want more than a sample, the Citizenpro Canada app continues in the same style with a national question bank, a question bank with facts for every province and territory, and an exam simulation with 20 questions. Our guide to passing the test with a study plan shows how to schedule your revision, and if a bad result worries you, read what happens if you fail.

Canadian Citizenship Practice Test: 20 Sample Questions With Answers

How the real test is built

20 sample questions with answers

In what year was Magna Carta signed in England, the start of the 800-year tradition of ordered liberty that Canadians inherited?

Which of the following is listed in Discover Canada as a responsibility of citizenship?

What are Canada's three founding peoples according to Discover Canada?

Which is the only officially bilingual province in Canada?

On what date was the Dominion of Canada officially born under the British North America Act?

Which level of government is mainly responsible for highways and natural resources?

Who represents the Sovereign at the federal level in Canada?

What is the final step before a bill that has passed both the House of Commons and the Senate becomes law?

To vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen, be on the voters' list and be at least how old on voting day?

What is the name of a system in which powers are divided between a national government and provincial or territorial governments?

Which court is Canada's highest court?

What does Canada's national motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare, mean in English?

Which police force is Canada's national police force, known as "the Mounties"?

Which sport is Canada's official summer sport?

Which ocean lies along Canada's western coast?

Today, the term "Aboriginal peoples" refers to which three distinct groups?

The Governor General is appointed by the Sovereign on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for how many years?

True or false: the Head of State and the Head of Government are the same person in Canada.

True or false: senators are elected directly by the voters of their province.

What must a new citizen do at the citizenship ceremony?

How to use these questions

Which topic to review after a wrong answer

Where to practise next