Canadian Citizenship Test
Most adults applying for Canadian citizenship must pass a knowledge test run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The test has 20 questions about the rights and responsibilities of citizens and about Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols, all drawn from the free official study guide, Discover Canada. This page covers the official test rules and the themes of the guide.
- 20 questions
- 75% to pass
- 45 minutes
Last checked against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on .
Canadian Citizenship at a glance
- Who must take it
- Applicants who are 18 to 54 years old on the day they sign their application. Applicants under 18, those 55 or older, and anyone granted a waiver do not take the test. source ↗
- Test format
- 20 multiple-choice or true/false questions, in English or French. All questions are based on the official study guide, Discover Canada. source ↗
- Time limit
- 45 minutes. On the online test the timer cannot be paused, you get a warning with 5 minutes left, and the test is submitted automatically when time runs out. source ↗
- Pass mark
- At least 15 of the 20 questions answered correctly (75%). source ↗
- How you take it
- Most applicants are invited to an online test monitored by webcam, which can be taken from anywhere. In-person (on paper or orally) and Microsoft Teams formats are used when an accommodation is needed. source ↗
- Attempts
- Up to 3 attempts within the 30-day test period given in your invitation, for all test formats. source ↗
- If you fail all 3 attempts
- You are invited to a 30- to 90-minute hearing with a citizenship official, who may ask 20 knowledge questions orally (15 needed to pass). Failing the hearing means the application is refused. source ↗
- Physical presence
- Adults need at least 1,095 days (3 years) in Canada during the 5-year period before they sign the application. source ↗
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What the Canadian Citizenship covers
| Area | What to know |
|---|---|
| Rights and responsibilities of citizenship | Sources of Canadian law, Magna Carta and habeas corpus, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982), fundamental freedoms, mobility and language rights, equality of women and men, and the responsibilities of citizens such as obeying the law, jury duty and voting. |
| Who we are | First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, English- and French-speaking Canadians, Acadians and Quebecers, official languages, immigration and diversity. |
| Canada's history | The largest chapter: Aboriginal peoples and first Europeans, New France and the fur trade, the Loyalists, the War of 1812, responsible government, Confederation in 1867, westward expansion, and the two world wars. |
| Modern Canada | Postwar growth, social programs, NATO, NORAD and peacekeeping, Quebec and the Quiet Revolution, the arts, sport, and Canadian scientists and inventors. |
| How Canadians govern themselves | Federal state, parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy; federal and provincial powers; the Sovereign, Governor General and Lieutenant Governors; the Senate, House of Commons and how a bill becomes law. |
| Federal elections | Electoral districts, who can vote and run, the voters' list and voter information card, the secret ballot, majority and minority government, Cabinet and the Official Opposition, and local government. |
| The justice system | Due process and the presumption of innocence, the court system from small claims to the Supreme Court of Canada, police services including the RCMP, and getting legal help. |
| Canadian symbols | The Crown, the flag, the maple leaf and fleur-de-lys, the coat of arms and motto, the Parliament Buildings, national sports, the beaver, O Canada and the Royal Anthem, honours and public holidays. |
| Canada's economy | Canada as a trading nation, free trade with the United States and Mexico, and the service, manufacturing and natural resources industries. |
| Canada's regions | The five regions, the ten provinces and three territories with their capitals, Ottawa as the national capital, and the geography and economy of each region. |
How to get certified
- 1
Check that you are eligible
Adults need at least 1,095 days in Canada in the 5 years before applying, must have filed taxes for at least 3 of those years if required, and, if aged 18 to 54, must show English or French speaking and listening skills at CLB or NCLC level 4.
- 2
Apply for citizenship
Submit your citizenship application. If you are 18 to 54 on the day you sign it, you will also need to pass the citizenship test.
- 3
Study Discover Canada
Every test question is based on the free official study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. It is available to read online, as a PDF or eBook, as audio, or as a paper copy.
- 4
Take the test when invited
Most people are invited to the online test, which you can take from anywhere using a computer or tablet with a webcam. You have 45 minutes for 20 questions and up to 3 attempts within the 30-day period in your invitation.
- 5
Get your result
You pass with at least 15 correct answers. Online results are reviewed by an officer, which can take from a few days to a few weeks. Depending on your case, you may also be invited to an interview.
- 6
Attend your citizenship ceremony
After you pass and meet all other requirements, you are invited to a ceremony where you take the Oath of Citizenship and become a Canadian citizen.
How to study
- Read Discover Canada from start to finish at least once; IRCC says every test question comes from it. The free audio version is useful for review while commuting.
- Spend the most time on the history chapter and on how government works; they are the longest sections and cover many dates and names.
- Make a table of the 10 provinces and 3 territories with their capitals and the year each joined Canada.
- Learn the three parts of Parliament, the steps for a bill to become law, and who represents the Sovereign federally, in the provinces and in the territories.
- Where the guide is out of date, use current facts: the Sovereign is King Charles III, named in the Oath of Citizenship, and the Royal Anthem is God Save the King.
- Practise in timed sets of 20 questions in 45 minutes, and aim well above the 15 correct answers needed to pass.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Canadian citizenship test and what is the pass mark?
The test has 20 multiple-choice or true/false questions, and you have 45 minutes. You pass by answering at least 15 questions correctly, which is 75%.
Who has to take the citizenship test?
Applicants who are 18 to 54 years old on the day they sign their application must take it. Applicants under 18, those 55 and older, and anyone granted a waiver do not.
Can I take the test online, and do I need to be in Canada?
Most applicants are invited to the online test. You need a desktop, laptop or tablet with a webcam and the Chrome or Safari browser; mobile phones are not allowed. IRCC says you do not need to be in Canada to take the online test.
What happens if I fail the citizenship test?
You have 3 attempts within the 30-day test period in your invitation. If you fail all 3, you are invited to a hearing with a citizenship official lasting 30 to 90 minutes. If you fail the hearing, the application is refused and you would need to reapply and pay the fees again.
What if I miss my online test?
If it was your first invitation, IRCC automatically sends a new one, with 3 chances to pass in a new 30-day period. If you miss the test twice and do not contact IRCC, your application is abandoned and you would have to start over.
Does the test check my English or French?
No. IRCC says the test does not assess language skills. Language is a separate requirement: applicants aged 18 to 54 must show speaking and listening skills at CLB or NCLC level 4.
Is Discover Canada up to date?
Some chapters reflect when the guide was written; the Canadian symbols chapter, for example, still names Queen Elizabeth II. The guide's Oath of Citizenship page now names King Charles III, King of Canada. Study the guide IRCC provides, and use current official facts where they have changed.
When do I get my result?
For the online test, an unofficial score appears when you submit, but an officer reviews the official result, which can take a few days to a few weeks. In-person and Microsoft Teams tests give the official score right after the test.
Start practising for the Canadian Citizenship today
- ✓ 600 Canadian Citizenship practice questions, every answer explained and cited
- ✓ Full-length timed mock exams: 20 questions, 45 minutes, scored against 75%
- ✓ Practise by topic and review every question you missed
- ✓ Every other Canadian exam on VoltExam included
Official sources
- IRCC: Citizenship test ↗
- IRCC: Citizenship test – How it works ↗
- IRCC: Citizenship test – Take the online test ↗
- IRCC: Citizenship test – Study for the test ↗
- IRCC: Citizenship test – Test results and next steps ↗
- IRCC: Citizenship test – If you missed the test ↗
- IRCC: Canadian citizenship for adults and minor children – Who can apply ↗
- IRCC: Discover Canada study guide ↗
- Discover Canada: Table of contents ↗
- Discover Canada: The Oath of Citizenship ↗
- Discover Canada: Applying for citizenship ↗
- Discover Canada: Canadian symbols ↗
Sources checked November 3, 2026. VoltExam is independent and not affiliated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Rules change: confirm details with the official source before your exam.