Overview
The Canadian citizenship test is a knowledge test that most citizenship applicants must pass. It checks what you know about Canada and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. It is run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and is part of the citizenship application, not a separate qualification.
Who can apply
Applicants aged 18 to 54 when they apply must show adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship through the test, in English or French.
Exam pattern
| Part | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 20, multiple choice or true or false |
| Time | 45 minutes, per the IRCC study page |
| Pass mark | At least 15 of 20 correct |
| Languages | English or French |
| Attempts | Up to three chances to pass |
The test does not include questions that assess your English or French. Language may be assessed later in an interview with a citizenship officer if needed.
Syllabus
All questions are based on the official study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Topics are the rights and responsibilities of citizens and Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.
After the exam
Results and next steps, including what happens after a pass or a fail and what to expect at any interview or hearing, are explained on the IRCC results page.
Preparation tips
Read Discover Canada fully. It is free online, as a PDF, as an eBook, as audio and in print.
Use the study questions published in the guide to check your recall.
How many questions must I get right?
At least 15 of the 20 questions.
Is there a language test?
Not in the citizenship test itself. Language skills may be assessed in an interview.
What should I study?
The official guide Discover Canada. Every test question comes from it.