If you are thinking of becoming a Canadian Citizen, you should think of the Citizenship Test too. Being prepared for the test is the concern of many people and they do not know first of all, what to study and secondly, how to study. At SEP Immigration, we are helping you to see the Citizenship tests and answer them to check your knowledge and identified your strong and weak points. Follow our Instagram page here.
After you follow SEP Immigration page, you can see the highlighted stories called “Citizenship Test”. Click on that and follow the questions. You can answer all those questions and after giving your answers, check the correct answers.
After you finished all the questions, there will be a quiz for you too which can help you to decide if you are ready or still need some more time to prepare yourself for the test.
If you are not a Canadian Permanent Resident yet and you are not sure what the best way for you to immigrate to Canada is, please fill out our assessment form HERE and we will get back to you with your possible options.
Who has to take the test and go to the interview
The Canadian citizenship test and the interview are usually a part of the citizenship process. If you have applied to become a Canadian Citizen, you may be required to take a test or go to an interview depending on your age and circumstances.
Applicants between 18 to 54 years old are required to take the citizenship test. Also, they may get invited for the interview.
If you pass the test, the interview will usually be straightforward and focuses on verifying your documents and eligibility.
Adults who are 55 years old or more do not have to take the citizenship test. However, they may get invited to the interview. During the interview, the applicant’s documents will be assessed.
Children under age 18 do not need to take the test. Also, they usually do not need to attend the interview if they have a Canadian parent or their parents have applied at the same time.
Children without a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time may be invited to the interview if they are aged between 14 to 17.
Younger children will not need to take the test or do an interview even if they do not have a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time.
| Your age and situation | Take the test | Go to the interview |
| Adult 18 to 54 years of age | Yes | We may invite you to an interview |
| Adult 55 and over | No | We may invite you to an interview |
| Minor under 18 with a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time | No | No, except in some cases |
| Minor 14 to 17 without a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time | No | We may invite you to an interview |
| Minor under 14 without a Canadian parent or a parent applying at the same time | No | No, except in some cases |
Test questions and passing score
The Canadian citizenship test includes straightforward questions to showcase your general knowledge about the country and its history. The test aims to ensure that the applicants are well informed to become an active and engaged citizen.
The test covers various topics about Canada including history, geography, politics, government, values, rights and responsibilities of citizenship, national symbols, etc.
Here is an example of the questions you may see in the test:
Question: What is the significance of July 1, 1867?
- Canada’s independence from Britain
- Confederation (Canada became a country)
- the signing of the Charter of Rights and Freedom
- the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Answer: Confederation
Test format
The Canadian citizenship test consists of 20 questions which are either multiple choices or true or false. You have 30 minutes to answer the questions and you need to give the correct answer to at least 15 questions to pass the test.
The test is available both in English and French. Most applicants will be invited to take the test online. However, in certain cases, for example if you need accommodation, you can take the test on Microsoft Teams or in person.
Study for the test
The official guide for the test is “Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship”. This guide covers all the topics including Canadian history, geography, government, citizen’s rights and responsibilities, and national symbols.
You can download the book, read it online or listen to the audio format of the book on IRCC’s website.
Break the guide into chunks and focus on one topic at a time. Review the book from time to time to ensure you can remember the topics when taking the test.
Wait for your test invitation
After applying for citizenship, you should wait for a few weeks until your application is processed. When the Canadian government finishes processing your request, they will send you an invitation to take the test if eligible.
There is an online citizenship test and an in person test if needed. You can choose between them. However, most applicants take the online test. If this is your case, you have 30 days to take the test after receiving the invitation.
How you’ll get the invitation
You will receive the invitation via email. Make sure to check your spam box so you will not miss the email.
If you have chosen to take the online test, you will receive an email with no specific date and time for taking the test. You will have 30 days to take the test.
Still if you have chosen the in person test, you will receive an email with date, time, and address of the center you should take the test at.
How to take the test
If you are taking the test online, you can take at any time within 30 days after receiving the invitation. The test will consist of 20 mutiple choices and tru or false questions.
If you have chosen to take the test in person, you will receive a notice about the exact time and date of the test and the address. You should go to the address at the mentioned date to take the test in person.
If you take the test online
If you have chosen to take the online test, you will receive an email including a link to the test. You can take the test at anytime you’d like within 30 days after receiving the email.
Check the compatibility of your devie and your browser before taking the test. Remember to have your ID card by you.
Within 30 days after receiving the invitation, you have up to 3 chances to pass the test. So if you fail the test at your first try, you can retake the test for two more times.
If you fail all your three chances, IRCC will invite you to a hearing with a citizenship official
If you take the test on Microsoft Teams or in person
If you have chosen yo take the test on Microsoft Teams or in person, you will receive an email with the exact date and time of the test. Also, the email will include the physical address of the test center or a link to join the test via Microsoft Teams.
You sould go to the address or join the test on the specified date and time. Try to get there earlier so you will not miss the test due to heavy traffic or any unexpected circumstances.
You have up to three chances to take the test. This means if you fail the test for the first time, you will still have two other chances to retake the test.
If you fail the test for three times, you will be invited to a hearing with a citizenship official.
What to do if you missed the test
If you miss the test for any reason do not worry. You still have the chance to take the test. The procedure depends on the type of the test you have chosen to take.
Check below to find out moe.
If you missed an online test
If you miss the online test for the first time, you will automatically receive a second invitation to take the test. You will again have three chances to take the test within 30 calendar days.
If you miss the test again, meaning that you can not manage to take the test within the second 30 days, you need to explain your reasons in an email and request another invitation.
If you miss the test twice and do not contact IRCC, your application process will be abandoned.
If you missed your first test on Microsoft Teams or in person
If you miss your first test on Microsoft Teams or in person, you’d better contact IRCC and explain your reason. If you have a valid reason for missing the test, you will receive a second invitation.
Also, you can wait for a reschedule without contacting IRCC. In this case you will probably get a second invitation. Make sure not to miss this one since it may be your last chance.
