If you're applying for Canadian citizenship, the test is one of the key steps in the process. This guide covers everything you need to know — who takes it, what's on it, how it's delivered, and what happens with your results.
Who Needs to Take the Test
Most people applying for Canadian citizenship are required to take a knowledge test, but not everyone. According to IRCC, the test is required for applicants who are between 18 and 54 years old on the day they sign their application.
If you are over 55, or under 18, you are automatically exempt — you do not need to take the test as part of your citizenship application.
Applicants between 18 and 54 can also apply for a waiver if their personal circumstances prevent them from meeting the requirement, though this must be approved by IRCC.
What the Test Covers
The citizenship test is based entirely on the official IRCC study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Every question on the test comes from this guide.
Topics covered include:
- History — Canada's past, key events, and milestones
- Geography — regions, provinces, territories, and landmarks
- Economy — how Canada's economy works
- Government — how federal, provincial, and municipal systems are structured
- Laws — rights, responsibilities, and the Canadian legal system
- Symbols — the flag, anthem, coat of arms, and other national symbols
The test is available in both English and French.
Test Format
The test consists of 20 questions, which are either multiple choice or true or false. You have 45 minutes to complete it, and the timer cannot be paused once it starts.
To pass, you need to correctly answer at least 15 out of 20 questions (75%).
How the Test Is Delivered
Most citizenship applicants are invited to take the online test. In some cases — typically when an accommodation is needed — IRCC may ask you to take it in person or on Microsoft Teams instead.
Online — You take the test from any location using a desktop, laptop, or tablet with a webcam. You don't need to be in Canada. The test uses webcam monitoring to verify your identity throughout the session.
In person — Arranged for applicants who require an accessibility accommodation. The test can be written on paper or taken orally.
Microsoft Teams — An oral test conducted via video call with an IRCC officer, also arranged as an accommodation.
Your invitation will specify the format and include all the details you need.
When You'll Be Invited
After submitting your citizenship application and receiving your acknowledgment of receipt (AOR), most applicants receive their test invitation 1 to 3 months later, though wait times vary depending on your situation and IRCC's current processing times. The invitation includes a 30-day window during which you must complete the test.
How Many Attempts You Get
Within your 30-day test period, you have up to 3 chances to pass — whether online, on Microsoft Teams, or in person. If you don't pass on your first attempt, you can try again within the same window.
If you don't pass any of your 3 attempts, IRCC will invite you to a hearing with a citizenship official. A hearing lasts 30 to 90 minutes and includes Canada knowledge questions as well as a language assessment.
How to Study
Discover Canada is the official IRCC study guide and the foundation for everything on the test — read it first. IRCC offers it for free on their website in several formats — online, PDF, eBook, and audio. IRCC also provides official practice questions on their website that mirror the test format.
Our app is a perfect pair with Discover Canada: read a chapter, then do the chapter quiz or flashcards for that section, and repeat. Start with chapter quizzes after each section of the guide; use flashcards for facts that need repetition, like names, dates, and symbols; once several chapters feel stable, switch to 20-question mock exams. You can run that routine on your phone in short sessions, including offline. For more detail on study order, see our Canada citizenship test study guide.
Since all test questions are drawn directly from Discover Canada, studying it thoroughly is the most reliable preparation strategy.
What Happens After the Test
If you pass, you may be invited to an interview to verify your identity and eligibility before receiving your citizenship ceremony invitation.
If you don't pass, you have remaining attempts within your 30-day window. If all attempts are exhausted, IRCC will schedule a hearing.
For the online test, you'll see an unofficial score immediately after submitting — but this is not your final result. An IRCC officer still needs to review your submission, which can take a few days or a few weeks. For in-person and Microsoft Teams tests, your official result is given right after you finish.
Your application tracker will update to "Completed" once a pass or fail decision has been made.
Source
All information in this post comes directly from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). For the most current details, visit canada.ca/citizenship-test.