What is the citizenship test?
IRCC · Citizenship testThe Canadian citizenship test is a written exam administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It asks about the rights and responsibilities of being a Canadian citizen, and about Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.
20
Questions
45 minutes
Time limit
75%
Passing score
Who needs to take it?
IRCC · Who can applyAge decides it. What matters is how old you are on the day you sign your application:
- ✓18 to 54 years old — you take the citizenship test
- ✓Under 18, or 55 and older — you are exempt from the knowledge test
- ✓Granted a waiver — you are exempt from the requirement the waiver covers
Physical presence (1,095 days in the last 5 years) and filing Canadian income taxes for any 3 of those 5 years are conditions of applying at all. They apply to every adult applicant whatever their age, so they are not what decides who sits the test. Minors are usually included in a parent's application and still have to meet the other requirements.
What topics are covered?
Discover Canada (IRCC)Every question is drawn from Discover Canada — the official IRCC study guide, and the book IRCC says all test questions are based on. It is short (68 pages) but dense; Portage organizes its content into the 18 areas below, and the 20 test questions can come from any of them:
- The Canadian Identity
- Canada's History
- Modern Canada
- How Canadians Govern Themselves
- Federal Elections
- The Justice System
- Canadian Symbols
- Canada's Economy
- Canada's Regions
- Aboriginal Peoples
- English and French Canada
- A Diverse Society
- Rights and Responsibilities
- The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Volunteering
- Canada in the World
- The Canadian Armed Forces
- Remembrance
What test day actually looks like
IRCC · Online test instructionsFour stages, from the invitation email to your official result.
- STEP 1
Get the invite
Once IRCC has reviewed your application, they email you the invitation as a PDF attachment — most people get it 1 to 3 months after their AOR. It sets a fixed start and end date, and you have 30 days to take the test inside that window. You can't book the test yourself or ask for the invitation earlier.
- STEP 2
Set up your space
A well-lit spot, free of noise and interruptions. Take the test on your own, with nobody helping you, and clear anything showing personal information out of camera view. One device only — computer, laptop or tablet with a working webcam — and every other device switched off. Chrome or Safari. No phone, no Chrome on iPad, no Surface Pro, no VPN. You don't have to be at home, or even in Canada.
- STEP 3
45 minutes, 20 questions
In English or French. Your invitation calls them multiple choice; canada.ca also lists true/false, so prepare for both. You must stay visible on webcam throughout and can't open other tabs or apps. The 45-minute timer runs continuously and does NOT pause if you disconnect — you can rejoin on the same link, but the clock keeps going and the test submits itself when time runs out. You need 15 correct to pass.
- STEP 4
Score on screen — but save it
The result page shows your score immediately. That score is temporary, not official: an officer reviews the test afterwards to confirm it. IRCC sends no confirmation email and you cannot sign in to view the result again, so use the print or email buttons on the results page before you close it. canada.ca puts the review at a few days to a few weeks; your invitation instructions say it can take months. Don't pass and you can retake — up to two more attempts within the same 30 days.
How the online citizenship test works
Test format
IRCC · Online test instructionsThe test is taken online on a desktop computer, laptop or tablet with a working webcam — not a mobile phone — using Chrome or Safari. Chrome on iPad, Microsoft Surface Pro and VPNs cannot be used. You do not have to sit it at home or even in Canada — IRCC allows a public library or a public computer. Wherever you sit it, the location needs good lighting so the system can see you through your webcam, and you must take the test alone.
There are 20 questions, answered in English or French — your choice. The instruction sheet attached to the invitation describes them as multiple choice; IRCC's website says they can be multiple choice or true/false. The 45-minute timer cannot be paused, keeps running if you disconnect (you can rejoin on the same link), and submits the test automatically once it expires.
You have up to 3 attempts within 30 days of your test start date, and you need 15 correct to pass. If you need to reschedule, email the address in the rescheduling section of your invitation with your reason, your application number and your UCI — it usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. If all three attempts fail, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship official.
IRCC can accommodate you with a Braille or large-print test, an oral version or extra time, and can arrange the test in person or over Microsoft Teams instead of online. If something prevents you from meeting the knowledge, language or oath requirement altogether, you can ask for a waiver.
Rules you have to follow
IRCC · Online test instructionsFrom the instruction sheet attached to the test invitation. Breaking these can cost you the application, not just the test.
- The contents of the test are confidential. You may not discuss, disclose or share any information about it — before, during or after — with anyone, including people you live with or who have already taken it, verbally or in writing, email, text and social media included.
- Recordings and copies of the test or the testing process — printouts, screenshots, photos, any other electronic copy, or written notes of the content — are strictly prohibited. Your results page is the exception: IRCC provides print and email buttons for that page.
- Only one device with internet access is permitted. Every other device must be turned off for the duration of the test.
- You must be visible in front of your webcam at all times, and you may not open any other tabs or applications.
- You may not consult other people or any outside source — that includes the internet, your notes, and a copy of Discover Canada.
- IRCC treats suspected activity of this kind as a breach of confidentiality and/or fraudulent behaviour. It may result in the refusal of your citizenship application and/or a finding of misrepresentation.
What you need on test day
IRCC · Online test instructions- ✓One piece of ID: your PR card (even if expired) or a valid government-issued ID with your photo and signature
- ✓Your application number and your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) — both are on your test invitation
- ✓The email address you most recently provided to IRCC
- ✓A computer or tablet with a working webcam — not a mobile phone
- ✓A Chrome or Safari browser — not Chrome on iPad, not Microsoft Surface Pro, no VPN
- ✓An internet connection reliable and fast enough for videoconferencing — the 45-minute timer continues even if you disconnect
How to apply for citizenship
IRCC · Apply for citizenshipApplications are submitted online through the IRCC portal. Every adult applicant has to be a permanent resident, have enough physical presence in Canada (1,095 days in the last 5 years), have filed Canadian income taxes for any 3 of those 5 years if required to, and pay the fee. Applicants aged 18 to 54 must also prove their English or French and pass this test.
For the full official process and current fees, see canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship.
Where every fact on this page comes from
Each section above links to the canada.ca page that backs it. The full list:
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