Canadian citizenship test 2026: the complete guide
Everything about the test in one page, checked against IRCC's own pages. Then practise for free.
The test at a glance
| Questions | 20, multiple choice or true/false |
|---|---|
| Pass mark | 15 of 20 correct (75%) |
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Format | Online with a webcam for most people. In person or on Microsoft Teams in some cases, such as an accommodation |
| Chances | 3 tries within 30 days, then a hearing with an officer |
| Language | English or French |
| Who takes it | In most cases, applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they sign the application |
| Based on | Discover Canada, the free official study guide |
Start the free sample testFree practice questions
Who has to take the test
In most cases, you take the test if you are 18 to 54 years old on the day you sign your citizenship application. People under 18 or 55 and older do not take it, and IRCC can waive it. IRCC sends the invitation; you cannot book it yourself.
How the online test works
Most people now take the test online. You get an invitation and have 30 days to sit it, on a computer with a webcam. The test has 20 questions and lasts 45 minutes. A passing online score can still be checked by IRCC before it is final.
What is on the test
Every question comes from Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. It has 11 chapters, and the test can ask about any of them:
- Applying for Citizenship · questions (5)
- Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship · questions (10)
- Who We Are · questions (10)
- Canada's History · questions (12)
- Modern Canada · questions (9)
- How Canadians Govern Themselves · questions (10)
- Federal Elections · questions (10)
- The Justice System · questions (8)
- Canadian Symbols · questions (10)
- Canada's Economy · questions (6)
- Canada's Regions · questions (10)
To memorise: provinces and capitals · important dates
If you do not pass
You have 3 chances to pass within the 30 days. If you do not pass after 3 tries, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship officer, who can ask knowledge questions out loud (oral test: 20 questions, 15 to pass).
How to prepare in 4 steps
- Read the guide. Read Discover Canada chapter by chapter. Our study guide notes sum up each chapter with page numbers.
- Practise each chapter. Try the free practice questions with answers and explanations.
- Take a timed mock test. Mock test 1 uses the real format: 20 questions, 45 minutes, 15 to pass.
- Fix your mistakes. Re-read the guide page for every wrong answer, then try another mock test.
Questions people ask
How many questions are on the Canadian citizenship test?
20 questions. They are multiple choice or true or false.
What is the passing score?
You need 15 correct answers out of 20, which is 75%.
How long is the citizenship test?
45 minutes.
Can I take the citizenship test in French?
Yes. The test is in English or French.
What happens if I fail the citizenship test?
You have 3 chances within 30 days. After 3 failed tries, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship officer.
Are these the real test questions?
No. IRCC does not publish the real questions. MapleQuiz writes its own practice questions from Discover Canada and cites the page for every answer.
Sources
Checked against IRCC on 2026-10-28.