Canadian Citizenship Test: Format & Process
If you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you must take the Canadian citizenship test. It checks your knowledge of Canada based on the official Discover Canada study guide, and it is one of the last steps before your citizenship ceremony.
Know the process
Knowing the process is the first step, passing the test is the second. The app simulates the real multiple-choice test and covers all Discover Canada topics, with questions created specifically for your province or territory.
Get early access1. Topic Areas
- Rights, responsibilities, and symbols of Canadian citizenship
- Canadian history, from Confederation to today
- How Canadians govern themselves: federal, provincial, and municipal government
- Canada's regions, geography, and economy
2. Format and Duration
The test has 20 multiple-choice and true/false questions, in English or French. Most applicants take it online from anywhere, monitored by webcam, and the online test is 45 minutes long. If you need an accommodation, you may take it in person or on Microsoft Teams instead.
3. Passing Grade
You need to answer at least 15 of the 20 questions correctly, a 75% pass mark. Your test invitation gives you a 30-day test period with up to 3 chances to pass. If you fail all 3 attempts, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship officer.
4. Who Doesn't Need to Take It
Applicants aged 55 and older, and applicants under 18, are exempt from the written test (though minors generally cannot apply on their own). Everyone else in the 18 to 54 range is required to take it, regardless of how long they've lived in Canada.
Official Sources