Canadian Citizenship Test — Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions applicants ask most — format, pass mark, attempts, cost, exemptions and how to study.
How many questions are on the Canadian citizenship test?
There are 20 questions — a mix of multiple choice and true/false. You have 45 minutes, and you need at least 15 correct answers (75%) to pass.
What is the pass mark for the Canadian citizenship test?
75%. In practice: 15 or more correct out of 20 questions. Our mock test uses exactly this pass mark.
How long is the citizenship test?
The test itself is 45 minutes. Online test-takers receive a 30-day period in which to take it, with up to 3 attempts.
Can you take the Canadian citizenship test online?
Yes — the online test is the standard route for most applicants. IRCC emails an invitation with a link and a 30-day window. You will need a computer with a webcam and valid photo ID; the system takes snapshots during the test to verify your identity.
What happens if you fail the citizenship test?
You can try again — up to 3 attempts in your test period. If all attempts fail, IRCC schedules a hearing with a citizenship official who asks up to 20 knowledge questions orally (15 to pass). Your application is not cancelled.
How many times can you take the citizenship test?
Up to three attempts during your online test period. After that, the next step is a hearing, not a fourth online attempt.
What is the citizenship test based on?
Every question is based on Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, the official study guide IRCC publishes free in web, PDF, eBook and audio formats.
How much does the citizenship test cost?
The test itself is free. The adult citizenship application costs $630 CAD in total ($530 processing fee + $100 right-of-citizenship fee) — check Canada.ca for the current fee before applying.
Who is exempt from the citizenship test?
Applicants under 18 and those 55 or older on the day they sign their application do not take the test or the language assessment. So at 65 years old, for example, there is no test.
Is the Canadian citizenship test hard?
It is fair if you study the guide: factual questions, generous time (45 minutes for 20 questions) and a 75% pass mark. Most failures come from not studying Discover Canada, or from studying outdated 30-question materials.
Are these the real test questions?
No — IRCC never publishes its real test questions. Our 340+ questions are original practice questions written from the facts in Discover Canada, the same source the real test uses.
Do I need an account to practise here?
No. Practice and mock tests are free with no sign-up. Your progress is stored only in your own browser on your device.
Can I study chapter by chapter?
Yes — chapter-wise practice is exactly how this site is organized, following the ten chapters of Discover Canada plus a mixed review set.
Is this site affiliated with the Government of Canada?
No. This is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with IRCC or the Government of Canada. Official information is at Canada.ca.
How to turn these answers into a pass
Reading answers is a start, not a study plan. The applicants who pass on the first attempt usually do three things: they read Discover Canada itself at least once, they practise questions chapter by chapter (so weak topics cannot hide), and they rehearse the timed format before the real day. This site is built for exactly that sequence — the chapter summaries for fast review, chapter-wise questions with explanations for learning, and the 20-question mock test with the real 45-minute timer and 75% pass mark for rehearsal. If your invitation has already arrived, work backwards from your deadline inside the 30-day window and study daily rather than in weekend marathons. If it has not arrived yet, an unhurried chapter per day puts you in the strongest position when it does.
Still unsure about something? The official source is always IRCC's study page on Canada.ca. When you are ready, put the answers into practice with chapter questions or a timed mock test.