Here are some frequently asked questions about Citizenship test by Permanent residents who are either getting ready to apply for citizenship or have already applied.

Do not take this test lightly. It is important that you nail it the first time as failing it will make your process more complicated. Do not take chance and practice by taking as many tests as possible. We have over 250 questions and we are still adding more every day.

1. When do I need to start preparing for the test? 

This varies from person to person. Some people need just few days while some take a few weeks. The rule of thumb is: start early, do not wait till the last minute. As soon as you file for the application start preparing for the test. Read the discover Canada book. If you have not received it yet, you can download it free here. After going through it once take these practice test again and again. When you are comfortable enough take the simulated test to see how you are scoring in the real test environment.

2. After I apply for citizenship, how long will it be before I am asked to write the citizenship test?

The time between submitting your application and writing the citizenship test can vary from one case to the next and depends on CIC processing times.

When they begin processing your application, they will mail you a letter telling you timeline. Later, they will mail you a notice telling you the time and location of your test. This is your official confirmation that you will be taking the citizenship test.

You can also check the Client Application Status service, which will tell you when CIC has mailed letters or notices to you.

If you move to a new address, you must notify them of the change by updating your status online.

3. Does every one in my family has to write the test ?

Children under 18 and Seniors above 54 do not have to write the test.

4. How long is the Citizenship Test ?

Be prepared to spend a lot of time. Test itself is only 30 minutes however you should expect to be there for 3-4 hrs after your arrival for any administrative tasks that must be done before and after the test. (Before the test starts, the facilitators need to carefully check each person’s documents so that took about 2.5 hours.)

5. Are Small kids allowed in the Examination hall ?

No they are not. You have to arrange for a baby sitter or a family member not writing the test can stay with the child outside the examination hall.

6. What are the things that I Can or Cannot bring to the Examination Hall ?

You can bring water bottle. Pen or Pencils are supplied. Mobiles are not allowed and anything else that can be used for assistance is not allowed. You should always bring all the necessary documents to the examination hall. In addition do not forget the Test Letter/Notice that you received in the mail. 🙂

7. What languages can the test be taken in ?

The test can be written in English or French (the only two official Canadian Languages)

8. How many questions are included in the test ?

The actual test is Multiple choice Questionnaire and there are 20 questions in total. If you take our simulated Practice Tests, they are built on same principles and rules. They will give you the confidence that you are looking for before writing actual tests.

However, unlike actual test, you can take these tests as many times as you want until you are satisfied. We also tell you the correct answers and your scores.

Get Ready for the Canadian Citizenship Test
Practice using our FREE Online Quizzes

9. How are questions in the tests divided?

The test roughly divides 20 question among following topics

• Rights and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen – (e.g. “Name three legal rights protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”)
• Canadian history – (e.g. “Who were the United Empire Loyalists?”)
• Canadian political systems – (e.g. “How are members of Parliament chosen?”)
• Canadian physical and political geography – (e.g. “Where are the Parliament buildings located?”)
• Specific questions about the applicant’s region – (e.g. “What is the name of the premier of your province or territory?”)

10. What is the Rate of success and failure in the test ?

On March 15, 2010 CIC introduced a new 63-pages long ‘Discover Canada’ guide and new test format. The rate of failure was pretty low until then ( In 2008, approximately 4% of the 145,000 test takers failed). They introduced another version of test in October, 2014 but the failure rate is still high. 20% to be exact.

11. How many questions you need to have answered correctly in order to pass the test?

You will need to answer at least 15 question correctly out of 20 in order to pass.

12. How long before I get result of test?

Sometimes you will be given the result right after you write it. Some times you will receive the letter in Mail.

13. What happens after I pass test ?

If you pass the test (Finger crossed!), you will either receive an invitation for Oath ceremony within 6 months or you will get residency questionnaire requesting further evidence of living in Canada. The probability of getting the questionnaire is higher if you have a complicated application or if you have been traveling a lot outside Canada. If there is any further doubt you will be get a call for hearing with a Citizenship Judge.

14. What happens if I have failed my test ?

If unfortunately you have failed your test then do not worry. You will be given another date to re-write the test. On failing that you will be required to have a 15 to 20 minute interview with a citizenship judge. The judge will ask you 20 questions that may be multiple choice, true or false or question and answer. The judge will assess whether or not the applicant has correctly answered 15 questions and demonstrated the necessary knowledge to be granted citizenship. In 2008, approximately 20% of the interviewees were refused citizenship.

Do not take this test lightly. It is important that you nail it the first time as failing it will make your process more complicated. Do not take chance and practice by taking as many tests as possible. We have over 250 questions and we are still adding more every day.

15. If I cannot attend the citizenship test on test date, Interview or a scheduled appointment with IRCC, what should I do?

If you are not available on the date and time of your appointment, write CIC a letter of explanation. Send this letter to the IRCC office that scheduled your original appointment. You can send this letter by mail, or online, using this Web form. We will reschedule your appointment on a different date.

If you do not attend your appointment, you must contact IRCC within a certain amount of time. The notice they sent you inviting you to the appointment will have the contact information. Use this Web form and tell them why you missed your appointment. If you do not contact them in time, they will close your application. You will have to apply again and pay the required fees.

16. What should I do if I missed my citizenship test?
The steps you should take if you did not attend your citizenship test depend on if CIC sent you:

• a first notice to write the test,
• a final notice to write the test, or
• a notice to re-write the test.

I was sent my first notice to write the test

If this was the first time you were asked to write the test, you can:

• contact them to let us know you missed the test, or
• wait to be automatically rescheduled for another date (but it is better if you contact them your self. See Q #15 on how to contact them) .

You have 30 days from the test date to contact and let them know why you missed the test. Write a letter explaining why you missed the test. Send this letter to the IRCC office that scheduled your original appointment. You can send this letter by mail or online, using this Web form.

The local office handling your application will decide if you have a valid reason for missing the test.

If your reason is valid, you will receive another notice with a new test date. (This new notice will be considered another first notice in case you miss this new date, but have a valid reason for not attending.)

If your reason is not valid, we will treat you the same as someone who missed the test and did not contact us. (See “Be rescheduled automatically” below.)

Be rescheduled automatically

CIC will automatically reschedule you for a new date to write the test if you did not attend the test and you:

• did not contact to let them know, or
• did not have a valid reason for missing the test.

They will send you a new notice telling you the new test date. This will be your final notice to write the exam.

This new test date will usually be two weeks or more after the date of the test you missed.

I received a final notice to write the test, but I missed it

You must contact CIC within 30 days of the test date if you:

• missed your first test,
• received a final notice to write the test, and
• missed that test, too.

The notice inviting you to the new test date will tell you how to contact.

The local office handling your application will decide if you have a valid reason for missing the test.

If your reason is valid, they will send you another final notice with a new test date.

They may close your application for citizenship if:

• you do not contact within 30 days, or
• you do not have a valid reason for missing the test.

You will have to apply for citizenship again and pay the required fees.

You failed the test and were scheduled for a second test

You must contact CIC within 30 days of the test date if you:

• failed the citizenship test the first time you took it,
• were scheduled to re-write the test, and
• missed that date.

The notice inviting you to the re-write the test will tell you how to contact.

The local office handling your application will decide if you have a valid reason for missing the test.

If your reason is valid, they will send you a new notice to re-write the test.

CIC may close your application for citizenship if:

• you do not contact us within 30 days, or
• you do not have a valid reason for missing the test.

You will have to apply for citizenship again and pay the required fees.
17. Can I leave Canada after I mail my citizenship application?
Yes. There is no requirement to stay in Canada while CIC process your application. Please also note that if you applied on or after June 11, 2015, you must also declare your intent to reside in Canada in order to be eligible.

If you need to leave Canada there are several risks you should be aware of.

If you leave Canada, you must continue to meet your residency obligation to keep permanent resident (PR) status. You must be a permanent resident to become a citizen and not just when you apply. If you lose PR status before you take the Oath of Citizenship, you cannot become a citizen. Bring your PR card with you when you leave Canada so you can return easily. Make sure the card will not expire while you are outside Canada. (If your PR card expires, it does not mean you have lost PR status.)

CIC generally only mail letters, notices and other material to addresses in Canada, although in some cases, you will receive an e-mail from them. You must reply to these letters within a certain amount of time. If you do not reply within the time frame and do not provide an acceptable reason for not being able to keep your appointment with CIC, they will close your application.

You must attend appointments and other events at CIC/IRCC offices, like your citizenship test, interview and ceremony. These events only take place in Canada. If you cannot attend the appointment or event, you must write a letter of explanation to the local office that sent you the event notice. You may also send this letter using this Web form. (See above two questions for more clarification on it)