The Canadian citizenship test: 20 questions, 15 to pass, three chances in 30 days
Most adults applying for Canadian citizenship take a knowledge test about Canada: 20 questions in 45 minutes, in English or French, and you need 15 right (75%). Unlike most citizenship tests, it is usually taken online, from home, and you get three chances within a 30-day window.
Everything below was read on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) citizenship test pages on 5 October 2026; those pages carry the date 31 March 2026. Where a comparison with other countries' tests is ours, it says so.
Who takes it, and what is on it
You take the test if you are between 18 and 54 on the day you sign your application. You do not take it if you are under 18 or 55 or older, or if you asked for and received a waiver.
The test has 20 questions, multiple choice or true or false, in English or French, lasting 45 minutes. 15 of 20 passes. The questions cover the rights and responsibilities of citizens and Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.
Every question is based on the official study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, which IRCC gives away free: online, as a PDF or eBook, as audio, or as a paper copy you can order. IRCC also offers practice questions.
The test does not assess your English or French. If you are called to an interview, a citizenship officer notes how well you communicate in one of the official languages.
The finding: the only citizenship test we compare that you sit at home
This comparison is ours, from each test body's own pages, all read on 5 October 2026.
The pass mark is at the strict end. Canada asks 75%, like the UK and Norway. Spain's CCSE asks 60% and Germany's Einbürgerungstest about 52%.
But it is the only one of [the citizenship tests we compare](/research/citizenship-tests) taken at home. IRCC invites most applicants to the online test, which you can take from anywhere, including outside Canada and on a public library computer, watched through your webcam. Spain, Germany, Norway, the UK and France use test centres, Australia an appointment, and the US an interview with an officer.
And you cannot book it yourself. In Spain, Germany, Norway, the UK and France you register for a date; in Canada IRCC sends the invitation, and you wait for it.
The invitation and the 30-day window
You cannot book the test. IRCC emails an invitation, usually one to three months after your acknowledgment of receipt (AOR), longer if your application is non-routine. It comes as a PDF from an address ending in @cic.gc.ca or @canada.ca, so check your spam folder.
The invitation gives a 30-day window. Inside it you have up to three chances to pass: if you fail, you sign in and try again.
Missing the window has consequences that grow. Miss your first online invitation and IRCC sends a new one automatically. Miss the second and you must email with a detailed explanation; if you miss it twice without contacting IRCC, your application is abandoned and you start over.
Taking it online: what invalidates a test
The test runs for 45 minutes on a timer that cannot be paused, and submits itself when time runs out, with a warning at five minutes left.
Use a desktop, laptop or tablet with a webcam, in Chrome or Safari. IRCC says not to use a mobile phone, Chrome on an iPad, a Microsoft Surface Pro, or a VPN. Have your ID ready: your permanent resident card (even expired), or a valid photo ID with your signature such as a driver's licence or health card.
The webcam takes random photos during the test and compares them with your test photo and your application photos. You must be alone, in the same place where you photographed yourself and your ID, with no other tabs or programs open, no other devices, no study material and no browser back button. Technical problems or signs of cheating can invalidate the test, and IRCC then asks you to take it again.
If you need an accommodation, the test can be taken in person, on paper or orally, in another format such as Braille, or orally on Microsoft Teams.
Results, and what follows a fail
The online test shows a score immediately, but it is unofficial until an officer reviews it, which takes days or weeks. IRCC sends no confirmation email and you cannot sign in to see the score again, so print it or email it to yourself from the results page.
If you fail all three attempts, you are invited to a hearing, which lasts 30 to 90 minutes. The officer may ask an oral knowledge test of 20 questions, 15 to pass, questions about your residence, and up to 9 questions to assess your English or French, of which you must pass 6. Fail the hearing and the application is refused; you would have to reapply and pay the fees again.
If you pass, you may be invited to an interview, depending on your case, and then to the citizenship ceremony.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Taking the online test on a phone, or over a VPN.
A laptop, desktop or tablet with a webcam, in Chrome or Safari, VPN off.
IRCC lists phones, Chrome on iPad, the Surface Pro and VPNs as things not to use. A technical problem can invalidate the test.
Closing the results page without saving it.
Printing it or emailing it to yourself.
IRCC sends no confirmation email after the online test, and you cannot sign in again to see the score.
Letting the 30-day window pass a second time.
Emailing the rescheduling address with an explanation.
If you miss the test twice and do not contact IRCC, the application is abandoned and you start again.
Buying a study guide.
Using Discover Canada, free from IRCC.
IRCC bases every question on Discover Canada and gives it away online, as a PDF, eBook, audio or paper copy.
Using the back button to check an answer.
Answering in order and moving on.
IRCC says not to use the browser back button during the test.
Questions
How many questions are on the Canadian citizenship test, and what is the pass mark?
20 questions, multiple choice or true or false, in 45 minutes. You need at least 15 right, which is 75%. The test is in English or French.
Who has to take the Canadian citizenship test?
In most cases, applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they sign the application. People under 18 or 55 and over do not take it, nor do people who requested and received a waiver.
How many times can I take the Canadian citizenship test?
Three chances within the 30-day window in your invitation. If you fail all three, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship official, which can include an oral knowledge test of 20 questions (15 to pass) and up to 9 language questions (6 to pass).
Can I take the Canadian citizenship test outside Canada?
Yes, the online test. IRCC says you do not need to be in Canada to take it, and you can use a public library or public computer, as long as you have a webcam and use Chrome or Safari on a desktop, laptop or tablet.
When will I get my citizenship test invitation?
Most people get it one to three months after the acknowledgment of receipt of their application, by email as a PDF. You cannot book the test yourself or ask for an invitation.
Does the citizenship test check my English or French?
No. The test has no language questions. If you are invited to an interview, the officer notes how well you communicate; at a hearing after three failed tests, the officer can ask up to 9 language questions.
What study material does IRCC use?
Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Every question is based on it, and IRCC provides it free online, as a PDF, eBook, audio or a paper copy, with practice questions.
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