Quick Answer
IRCC says the Canadian citizenship test has 20 questions, each multiple choice or true/false, and you have 45 minutes. You need at least 15 right (75%) to pass, and you get 3 chances. Practise with our free 10-question practice test, no signup needed.
Last verified: October 22, 2026 against IRCC's Study for the test, How the test works and Take the online test pages.
Getting ready for the citizenship test? It's one of the last steps before you become Canadian. It can feel nerve-wracking, but most people who take it pass: see how hard the test really is.
What Is the Canadian Citizenship Test?
It's a knowledge test about Canada. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) says it asks about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and about Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols, and that it bases all the test questions on one book: the official Discover Canada study guide.
The test doesn't assess your English or French. IRCC checks language separately, mainly through the proof you send with your application.
IRCC runs the test as part of your citizenship application — one step in a longer process, and how long the whole application takes depends on your file.
Who Has to Take the Citizenship Test?
Most applicants who are 18 to 54 on the day they sign their application have to take it, IRCC says. You don't take it if you're under 18 or 55 or older on that day, or if IRCC approved a waiver for you. Adults who don't take the test still need to meet the other citizenship requirements, like physical presence. Our guide for applicants 55 and over covers what still applies.
Test Format
- 20 questions — multiple choice and true or false
- 45 minutes to finish. The median time to finish was 12 minutes, according to access-to-information data reported by CIC News
- 75% to pass — that's 15 out of 20
- 3 chances to pass within the 30-day test period in your invitation
- English or French — your choice
- Online — you can take it from anywhere, even outside Canada, and IRCC monitors you through your webcam
Can You Take the Citizenship Test in French?
Yes. IRCC says you can take the test in either French or English, in every format. The test itself doesn't grade your language. If you're 18 to 54, IRCC assesses your English or French separately, mainly through the language proof you send with your application.
What's on the Test?
Everything comes from the Discover Canada guide. The chapters cover:
- The Oath of Citizenship — what you'll swear at your ceremony
- Rights and Responsibilities — your rights and duties as a citizen
- Who We Are — Canada's population and cultural identity
- Canada's History — from Aboriginal peoples and New France through Confederation to the Second World War
- Modern Canada — Canada after the Second World War: social programs and Canada's role in the world
- How Canadians Govern Themselves — federal, provincial, and municipal government
- Federal Elections — how voting works
- The Justice System — courts and rule of law
- Canadian Symbols — the flag, anthem, and more
- Canada's Economy — industries and trade
- Canada's Regions — provinces and territories, coast to coast to coast
You don't need to memorize every word. But you should know the key facts, dates, and people from each chapter.
How to Book the Test
You don't — IRCC invites you. IRCC emails the invitation, usually 1 to 3 months after you receive your acknowledgment of receipt (AOR), and you can't book the test yourself. The invitation gives you a 30-day window to take the online test.
If you can't take it online (for example, because of an unreliable Internet connection or an accessibility need), IRCC can arrange the test in person or on Microsoft Teams. You can request an accommodation in your application or after you get your invitation.
What You Need for the Online Test
IRCC's online test page lists what you need:
- A desktop computer, laptop or tablet with a webcam, using Chrome or Safari. Not a mobile phone, not Chrome on an iPad, not a Microsoft Surface Pro, and no VPN
- Your application number and UCI (unique client identifier) to sign in
- ID: your permanent resident card (even if it's expired), or a valid photo ID with your signature, such as a driver's licence or health card. You take photos of your ID and yourself before the test starts
- A room with good lighting, where you can take the test alone
Test your webcam beforehand. IRCC uses it to take random photos during the test to confirm your identity and that you're working alone. For a full first-person walkthrough of test-day setup, see what to expect on test day.
During the Test
You sign in, verify your identity, and then see your 20 questions. Most people finish well within the time limit. The 45-minute timer can't be paused, and the test submits itself when time runs out.
You get a preliminary score right after submitting an online test. It's not final until an IRCC officer reviews your result to make it official — IRCC says that "could take a few days or a few weeks" — and your application status then changes in IRCC's status tracker. If you tested in person or on Microsoft Teams, you get the official score straight away.
After You Pass
Once your result is confirmed, IRCC may invite you to an interview, depending on your case, and then invites you to take the Oath of Citizenship at a ceremony — that's the moment you legally become Canadian, not the test itself. After the oath you receive your citizenship certificate, and only then can you apply for your first Canadian passport. We've written a full walkthrough of what happens after you pass covering the oath ceremony, certificate, and passport timeline. If you're focused on the passport step specifically, see our first Canadian passport guide for new citizens.
If you don't pass, you get more attempts — IRCC's rule is that "within your 30-day test period, you have up to 3 chances to pass the test", all inside that one window. If you fail all three, IRCC invites you to a 30-to-90-minute hearing with a citizenship official instead of a 4th written attempt. See what happens if you fail for the full breakdown.
Tips for Passing
What helps:
- Read the entire Discover Canada guide — all of it, not just the parts that seem important
- Use flashcards for dates, people, and facts
- Take practice tests — they show you the question style and where your gaps are
- Hit your weak chapters hard — any chapter can come up
- Give yourself 2–4 weeks of study time
- Understand, don't just memorize — context helps you answer questions you haven't seen before
Want a structured approach? Here's our complete study plan.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Canadian citizenship test? 20 questions, each multiple choice or true/false. You have 45 minutes to answer them.
What is the pass mark for the citizenship test? You need at least 15 of the 20 questions right, which is 75%.
How many times can I take the citizenship test? IRCC gives you up to 3 chances to pass within the 30-day test period in your invitation. If you fail all 3, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship official.
Can I take the citizenship test in French? Yes. You can take the test in English or French.
Do I have to take the test if I'm 55 or older? No. The test is for applicants who are 18 to 54 on the day they sign their application. Our guide for applicants 55 and over covers what you still need to do.
Can I take the online test on my phone? No. IRCC says to use a desktop computer, laptop or tablet with a webcam, in Chrome or Safari. Mobile phones aren't supported.
How canadatest.ca Helps
We built canadatest.ca for exactly this:
- All 11 Discover Canada chapters, formatted for easy reading (3 free, 8 with a paid pass)
- Flashcards for every chapter
- Chapter quizzes to check your understanding
- Free 10-question practice tests at canadatest.ca/free-practice-test — no signup required
- Free practice questions for each chapter, each with its answer and an explanation
- Full timed practice tests (paid), with the real test's 20 questions and 45-minute limit
- Progress tracking so you know where you stand
All based on the official study material. No guesswork.
Ready to Start?
The sooner you start, the better you'll feel on test day. Preparation is the part you control.