Overview
The Canadian Citizenship Test is administered by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) as part of the citizenship application process. It assesses basic knowledge of Canada's history, geography, government, rights, and responsibilities. It is required for applicants aged 18 to 54 (other ages are exempt).
The test has 20 questions (multiple choice or true/false) and you have 45 minutes; you must answer 15 questions correctly (75%) to pass. You can take it in English or French. Most candidates take the test online with webcam proctoring, and it must be completed within 30 days of the invitation.
The official study material is still Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship (a new guide is being prepared, but no release date has been announced). No public official question bank exists — the questions in this app are unofficial, reconstructed from the Discover Canada guide.
Eligibility
(as of 2026)
- Permanent Resident (PR) — physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within the 5 years before applying
- Filed taxes for 3 of those 5 years (where required)
- At least 18 years old at the time of application
- Ages 18–54 must take the citizenship test and meet language requirements (other ages are automatically exempt)
- No serious criminal record or major immigration violations
Language requirement (CLB 4)
You must demonstrate speaking and listening ability in English or French at the Canadian Language Benchmark 4 (CLB 4) level (as of 2026).
Accepted evidence:
- IRCC-approved test results (IELTS General, CELPIP-General, TEF, TCF, etc.)
- A diploma from secondary or post-secondary education completed in English or French (in Canada or abroad)
- Government-funded language program completion certificates
Exemption: applicants aged 55 and older are automatically exempt from the language requirement.
Test format
- 20 questions (multiple choice or true/false) / 45 minutes / 15 correct (75%) to pass
- Offered in English or French — language chosen on the application
- Most tests are taken online with webcam proctoring, within 30 days of the invitation
- If you need an accommodation, you can take the test in person (on paper or orally) or by video call on Microsoft Teams
- Closed-book — no access to Discover Canada, notes, or other materials during the test
- Topics: Canadian history, geography, government, rights and responsibilities, symbols and culture
Fees
(as of 2026; subject to change)
- The test itself has no separate fee — it is included in the citizenship application fee.
- Adult citizenship application fee: CAD $653 (processing fee $530 + Right of Citizenship fee $123)
- Minor (under 18): CAD $100
How to apply
- Confirm eligibility (residency days, tax filing, identity, etc.)
- Complete the CIT 0002 citizenship application (adult version) — submit online or by mail
- Pay the fee and submit required documents
- IRCC reviews the application and sends you an invitation to take the test
- Take the test within 30 days of the invitation (most often online)
- Attend an interview with a citizenship official if requested
Retake policy
- You can take the online test up to 3 times within the 30-day window after the invitation.
- If you do not pass after 3 attempts, you are scheduled for a hearing with a citizenship official — an oral test of 20 questions where you need 15 correct answers.
- If you do not pass the hearing, the application is refused; a new application requires a new fee payment.
After passing
- Once you pass and meet all other requirements, you receive a decision notification
- You will be invited to a Citizenship Ceremony — attendance is mandatory
- At the ceremony you take the Oath of Citizenship and receive your Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
- With the certificate, you can apply for a Canadian passport
Official resources
- Discover Canada study guide (free PDF): canada.ca/discover-canada
- Become a Canadian citizen (adults and minors): canada.ca/adult-minor
- How the citizenship test works: canada.ca/test/how-it-works
- How to study for the test: canada.ca/test/study
- Official Discover Canada study questions: Discover Canada study questions
Things to watch out for
- Study all chapters of Discover Canada (history, geography, government, rights and responsibilities, symbols).
- Information about your own province or territory (capital, premier, symbols) appears frequently.
- Canadian military history (World Wars I and II, the Korean War, peacekeeping) is heavily featured.
- The test is closed-book — you cannot consult the Discover Canada PDF or any other material during the test.
FAQ
Should I take the test in English or French? Choose whichever language you are more comfortable with on the application. Difficulty is the same.
What happens if I fail? You can try the online test up to 3 times within 30 days of the invitation. After 3 failed attempts you attend a hearing with a citizenship official (an oral test with 20 questions; 15 correct to pass). If you do not pass that either, the application is refused and you must reapply.
What else is assessed besides the test? IRCC reviews your application file, may conduct an interview if needed, and (after you pass everything) you must attend the Citizenship Ceremony to complete the process.