Canadian Citizenship Test 2026: Complete Guide
The Canadian citizenship test is an important step in becoming a citizen for many adult applicants. It checks your knowledge of Canada, including its history, government, geography, laws and symbols, as well as the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.
The test has 20 questions, lasts 45 minutes and can be taken in English or French. To pass, you must answer at least 15 of the 20 questions correctly, or 75%. The questions are multiple choice or true or false. Source: IRCC.
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The Canadian citizenship test at a glance
| Feature | Official test |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 20 |
| Time limit | 45 minutes |
| Passing score | 15/20 — 75% |
| Language | English or French |
| Question types | Multiple choice and true or false |
| Number of attempts | Up to 3 |
| Official study guide | Discover Canada |
All official test questions are based on Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Source: IRCC.
How does the Canadian citizenship test work?
In most cases, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invites applicants to take the citizenship test online. Depending on your circumstances, the test may also take place in person or through Microsoft Teams, particularly when an accommodation is needed. Source: IRCC.
When you are invited to take the online test, IRCC provides the instructions you need and a period in which to complete it.
This period is normally 30 days. During those 30 days, you have up to three attempts to pass. You can take the test at any time during this period, including weekends and holidays. Source: IRCC.
During the online test, your webcam allows IRCC to monitor the test and verify your identity. Source: IRCC.
Once the test begins, the timer cannot be paused. After 45 minutes, the test is submitted automatically, even if you have not answered every question. A warning appears when five minutes remain. Source: IRCC.
What kinds of questions are on the test?
The test checks your knowledge of Canada and Canadian citizenship.
Questions may cover:
- the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship;
- Canadian history;
- geography;
- the economy;
- government;
- laws;
- Canadian symbols.
For example, you may need to understand how Canadian institutions work, important historical events, citizens’ responsibilities, national symbols and aspects of the country’s geography.
Memorizing a few answers is not enough. A better approach is to understand the main topics in the official guide and check your knowledge regularly with practice questions.
Check what you have learned
TestCitizenship.ca lets you practise with more than 700 preparation questions covering the knowledge you need for the test.
You can start for free with the questions available without a purchase.
See example questions and topics to review
Which study guide should you use?
The official guide is Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship.
IRCC states that all test questions are based on the information in this guide. It is available free of charge in several formats, including online, PDF, e-book, audio and print. Source: IRCC.
The guide is the foundation of your preparation.
However, reading it once does not always tell you how much you have actually retained.
An effective approach is to alternate:
reading → practice test → correction → review → another test.
This helps you identify the topics you already understand and those that need more work.
Looking for study resources?
Download our free preparation documents.
Does the test assess your English or French?
No.
The citizenship test itself does not include questions designed to assess your English or French language skills. Source: IRCC.
Its main purpose is to assess your knowledge of Canada.
The language requirements for a citizenship application are separate from the knowledge test.
If IRCC invites you to an interview, however, a citizenship officer may assess your ability to communicate in one of Canada’s two official languages. Source: IRCC.
It is important to distinguish between:
the test of your knowledge of Canada
and
the language requirements of the citizenship process.
Who needs to take the Canadian citizenship test?
In most cases, you must take the test if you were between 18 and 54 years old on the day you signed your citizenship application.
You generally do not need to take the test if you were under 18 or 55 or older on that date, or if you applied for and received a waiver. Source: IRCC.
Check if you are eligible for Canadian citizenship
Requirements can vary depending on your circumstances. If you are unsure whether you need to take the test or qualify for a waiver, always consult IRCC’s official information.
How can you prepare for the citizenship test?
There is no single preparation method that works for everyone. However, a structured approach is generally more effective than repeatedly rereading the guide.
Here is a four-step method.
1. Study Discover Canada
Start by reading the official guide.
You do not need to memorize everything on your first reading. Begin by understanding the main themes:
- history;
- the political system;
- rights and responsibilities;
- geography;
- the economy;
- laws;
- symbols.
All official questions are based on this guide. Source: IRCC.
2. Check your knowledge early
After studying a section, answer a few practice questions.
This helps you see right away whether you have understood and retained the information.
A wrong answer is not necessarily a problem: it tells you what to review.
On TestCitizenship.ca, you can revisit the questions you answered incorrectly at the end of your test to work on your mistakes.
3. Focus on your weaker topics
Avoid spending the same amount of time on every topic.
If you answer geography questions easily but regularly make mistakes about government or history, spend more of your review time on those topics.
This helps you avoid reviewing the same information over and over when you already understand it.
4. Take a mock exam
Once you begin getting good results on practice tests, try a full simulation.
A mock exam helps you check:
- whether you can answer a series of questions in a row;
- whether you manage your time well;
- whether some categories remain difficult;
- whether your results are consistent.
Our mock exam mode reproduces some important aspects of the test format, including the number of questions and the timer.
It is an independent practice tool, not IRCC’s official test.
How many correct answers do you need to pass?
You need at least:
15 correct answers out of 20
which equals:
75%.
A score of 14/20 is therefore not enough to pass the official test. Source: IRCC.
During your preparation, it can be helpful to aim consistently above the minimum passing score.
For example, regularly getting 17, 18 or 19 correct answers in practice gives you more room if some questions on the actual test feel harder.
This does not guarantee that you will pass the official test, but it can help you assess how prepared you are.
How long does the test take?
The official test lasts 45 minutes. Source: IRCC.
With 20 questions, that gives you a little over two minutes per question on average.
In practice, you may answer some questions quickly while others require more thought.
If you take the test online, the timer starts when you begin and cannot be paused. After 45 minutes, the test is submitted automatically. Source: IRCC.
This is one reason to complete at least a few timed practice exams before your test.
What happens if you fail?
During the 30-day period stated in your invitation, you have up to three attempts to pass the test. Source: IRCC.
If you fail an online attempt and still have attempts available, you can sign in again and retake the test during that period. Source: IRCC.
If you fail all three attempts, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship officer. Source: IRCC.
At this hearing, depending on your circumstances, the officer may ask you oral questions about your knowledge of Canada. The oral knowledge test also has 20 questions, and you need 15 correct answers to pass. Source: IRCC.
It is better to use your initial preparation to reach a comfortable level before taking your first attempt.
When do you receive your test result?
It depends on the test format.
Online test
After you submit your online test, the results page displays a score immediately.
However, this score is temporary and is not yet your official result.
An IRCC officer must review it before it becomes official. This review can take a few days or a few weeks. Source: IRCC.
In-person or Microsoft Teams test
For these formats, IRCC says you receive your official result immediately after the test. Source: IRCC.
Once you receive your official result, the next steps depend on your application. You may be invited to a ceremony, an interview, a test retake or a hearing. Source: IRCC.
What happens after you pass?
Passing the test does not necessarily mean every step of your application is complete.
IRCC still needs to verify that you meet the other citizenship requirements.
Depending on your application, you may be invited to an interview.
If an interview is needed, the officer may check your identity, documents and eligibility. Source: IRCC.
Once all requirements have been met, you may be invited to a citizenship ceremony.
For more information about application processing, see:
Canadian citizenship application processing time
Frequently asked questions about the Canadian citizenship test
How many questions are on the Canadian citizenship test?
The test has 20 multiple-choice or true-or-false questions. Source: IRCC.
What score do you need to pass?
You must answer at least 15 of the 20 questions correctly, or 75%. Source: IRCC.
How long does the test last?
You have 45 minutes. Source: IRCC.
Can you take the test in French?
Yes. You can take the test in English or French. Source: IRCC.
How many times can you take the test?
You have up to three attempts to pass under the conditions in your invitation. For the online test, those attempts must take place during the 30-day period specified by IRCC. Source: IRCC.
Are the test questions published in advance?
IRCC provides an official study guide and sample questions, but your preparation should focus on the knowledge in Discover Canada. IRCC states that test questions are based on this guide. Source: IRCC.
Are TestCitizenship.ca’s questions official questions?
No.
The questions on TestCitizenship.ca are practice questions created to help you review the knowledge you need to prepare.
TestCitizenship.ca is an independent platform and is not affiliated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or the Government of Canada.
Start preparing
You do not need to wait for your test invitation to begin studying. IRCC says you can start using the official guide whenever you want. Source: IRCC.
A few practice questions can be a simple way to discover your current level.
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Looking for study documents?
Official sources
Information about the test’s format, procedures and rules has been checked against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s official information.