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 consists of 20 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes; you must answer 15 questions correctly (75%) to pass. You can take it in either English or French. Since 2020, most candidates take the test online via Zoom or the IRCC online portal, with some cases handled in person.

The official study material is Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. 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 multiple-choice questions / 30 minutes / 15 correct (75%) to pass
• Offered in English or French — language chosen on the application
• Most tests are online (Zoom or the IRCC citizenship portal); some cases are in person
• 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 $630 (processing fee $530 + Right of Citizenship fee $100)
• Minor (under 18): CAD $100

How to apply

1. Confirm eligibility (residency days, tax filing, identity, etc.)
2. Complete the CIT 0002 citizenship application (adult version) — submit online or by mail
3. Pay the fee and submit required documents
4. IRCC reviews the application and sends a Notice to Appear for the test
5. Take the test at the scheduled time (most often online)
6. Attend an interview with a citizenship official if requested

Retake policy

• If you fail the first test, you are usually offered a retake or interview within 4–8 weeks.
• If you also fail the retake, you will be scheduled for an interview with a citizenship officer; if you do not pass that, the application is refused.
• A refused application requires a new application and a new fee payment.

After passing

1. Once you pass and meet all other requirements, you receive a decision notification
2. You will be invited to a Citizenship Ceremony — attendance is mandatory
3. At the ceremony you take the Oath of Citizenship and receive your Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
4. 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: canada.ca/become-canadian-citizen
• Official IRCC practice test: canada.ca/practice-test

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 usually get a retake or an interview with a citizenship officer within 4–8 weeks. If you fail that too, 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.