What is the Canadian Citizenship Test?

The Canadian Citizenship Test is an examination that you need to pass in order to become a Canadian citizen. The test is administered by the Department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The Canadian Citizenship Test is required for all applicants who are aged between 18-54 years old and who were able to meet the basic requirements for citizenship.

The exam is a multiple-choice test with questions about Canada. The test aims to measure your knowledge about the country you wish to live in. You will be asked 20 questions about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens, including the following topics:

  • Canadian History
  • Canadian Geography
  • Canadian Economy
  • Canadian Government (3 levels)
  • Canadian Laws
  • Canadian Culture and Symbols
  • Current Events in Canada

The test questions are based on the official citizenship guide: Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Unlike all other tests, the Canadian Citizenship Test neither assesses nor evaluates your proficiency in English or French.

Canadian Citizenship Application

What is the fastest way to get Canadian citizenship?

There are no shortcuts on how to become a Canadian citizen. If you want to make sure that you will be able to get citizenship, you need to follow the correct process. As per the policy, it generally takes around 3-4 years if you’re going for a permanent residency. Furthermore, if you are or have been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, you may be eligible for a fast-track application process.

How to apply for Canadian citizenship?

In order to successfully carry out the application process for, you need to comply with the following Canadian citizenship requirements and eligibility criteria:

  • Provide documentation that you are well-versed in speaking and writing in one of Canada’s official languages (either English or French)
  • Become a Permanent Resident
  • Had stayed or lived in Canada as a permanent resident for at least 1,095 days out of the 5 years before you applied for citizenship.
  • Have filed your taxes for at least 3 years during the last 5 years of your permanence in Canada. Additionally, any income tax that you may owe must be paid.

Note: IRCC will reject and tag your application as incomplete if you do not send any proof or documentation that you have adequate knowledge of English or French.

What is the application process to be a Canadian citizen?

Follow the steps below for the Canadian citizenship application process:

Step 1: Use the internet to download and fill out the forms in the Canadian Citizen Application Package.

Step 2: Add all supporting documents for your application.

Step 3: Pay the citizenship application fee.

  • 630 CAD – (18 and over)
  • 100 CAD – ( 18 and over stateless and born to a Canadian parent)
  • 100 CAD – (Under 18)

Step 4: Mail your application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Note: If you need more relevant details, you can visit the IRCC website for information about processing times.

Canadian Citizenship Test Structure and Format

The Canadian citizenship test is based on the Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship study guide. The written examination is composed of 20 questions that you have to answer within 30 minutes. 

You have to answer at least 15 questions accurately, thus you are only allowed to commit 5 mistakes. As mentioned earlier, the test is multiple-choice, which means you will be given 4 potential answers for each question.

Canadian Citizenship Test Frequently Asked Questions

To help you gain perspicacity about Canadian citizenship, we’ve compiled all the frequently asked questions below.

What are the benefits of Canadian citizenship?

If you are a permanent resident in Canada, you probably think what’s a good reason for you to become a Canadian citizen. Well, there are a number of reasons why you need to consider becoming a Canadian citizen

To reiterate, a permanent resident is someone who has been granted permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada but is not a Canadian citizen. In other words, permanent residents are citizens of other countries.

Permanent Resident Benefits

  • Acquire most social privileges that Canadian citizens receive, including healthcare coverage.
  • Freedom to work, live, and study anywhere in Canada.
  • Eligibility to apply for Canadian citizenship.
  • Receive protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Canadian Citizen Benefits

  • Your children will be Canadian following Canada’s birthright citizenship policy.
  • Freedom to be involved in Politics.
  • No need to renew PR card.
  • You cannot be deported.
  • You can vote.
  • You can get consular assistance.
  • Travel easily.

Why is it so difficult to acquire Canadian citizenship?

Canadian citizenship follows a certain process in order to protect the country’s welfare. If you want to apply for Canadian citizenship, you have to abide by the rules and regulations set by the Canadian government no matter how difficult or hard you think it may be.

Can I apply for Canadian citizenship after 3 years?

To simply answer the question, yes, you can. Granting that you have a PR status and had lived in the country without any interruption, no trips across the border at all, in a span of three years then you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

What score do you need to pass the Canadian citizenship test?

The passing score for the Canadian citizenship test is 75%. Therefore, you need to get at least 15 correct answers out of 20 questions you will be presented.

How hard is it to get Canadian citizenship?

The overall process of acquiring Canadian citizenship is longer than normal. This is the reason why getting citizenship is hard for most applicants. Moreover, if you’re really serious about living in Canada for good, putting up with the process can be less stressful compared to the benefits that you will receive once you become an official citizen.

Is Canadian Citizenship worth it?

Based on the benefits and privileges that you’ll receive, getting a Canadian citizenship certificate is really worth it. If becoming a Canadian is part of your lifetime goals, acquiring citizenship is a surefire way of achieving it.

How to check my Canadian citizenship application progress?

If you already know how to get Canadian citizenship, it is also essential to learn how to keep track of your Canadian citizenship status. One way to do it is to call IRCC at 1-888-242-2100. Another way to check your application’s progress is to use IRCC’s e-Client Application Status online tool at their official website.

How can Canadian citizenship be revoked?

If you have been naturalized as a Canadian citizen, the only instance that your citizenship will be revoked is if you have been convicted in the court of fraud. However, the type of fraud must be related or directed to either of your permanent residence application or your Canadian citizenship application.

How to practice for the Canadian citizenship test?

At the beginning of this article, we mentioned that the government of Canada had provided an official guide for the Canadian citizenship test. You can actually make use of the guide to learn more about Canada, as the questions on the test are based on the guide. In addition, you can also utilize other materials that provide practice questions that can help you test or evaluate your knowledge about the country.

Canadian Citizenship Test Study Guide & Essential Reminders

The official study guide of the Canadian citizenship test is available for free. The guide is accessible in multiple formats. You have the option to: 1.) read it online, 2.) download the PDF or eBook, 3.) listen to the MP3 version of the guide, and/or  4.) print or request a paper copy of the study guide.

Aside from the official study guide, there are other factors that you need to consider familiarizing before taking the test. Most of these factors are contributory to the result of your performance during the examination. Please refer to the following information below for additional guidance.

Canadian Citizenship Test Preparation

#1 Settle your appointment with the IRCC

You will be invited to take the exam weeks after the IRCC sent you the acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) letter. Normally, the IRCC will send you a notice 1 to 2 weeks before you take the test. The notification will provide you the date, time, and location of the examination.

In an instance wherein you are not available to tend to your appointment, you need to send a message explaining why you won’t be able to come. If you fail to provide a valid explanation, the IRCC may stop or cancel your application and not grant you citizenship. To make sure that you will be able to respond, we’ve provided two methods below that you can use to get in touch with the IRCC:

  • Email the local office that sent you the unavailability notice.
  • Use the online web form provided by the IRCC.

Once the IRCC receives and approves your response, you will be scheduled on a different date for another appointment. Make sure that you will be able to attend the next appointment date.

#2 Prepare what to bring on the exam day

Here is a checklist of the things that you should NEVER forget to bring on your exam day:

  • Notice to Appear letter (the document asking you to take the test)
  • 2 personal identification cards (IDs)
  • 1 valid ID with your photograph and signature (e.g. driver’s license, health card)
  • Permanent resident card (if you have one)
  • Government-issued foreign ID documents (non-government Canadian ID documents are acceptable)
  • Documented proof of your English or French language skills (e.g. diploma, certificate, transcript of records, diploma)
  • If not in French or English, present a translation with an affidavit from the translator
  • Bring your passports and travel documents (current/expired) that you had listed when you filled out your application
  • Other documents you have been requested to present in your Notice to Appear letter

#3 Test Day Preparation Tips

Here is a full overview of the Canadian citizenship test:

  • The test will be given in English or French
  • It will be 30 minutes long
  • The exam is composed of 20 questions
  • It will be in multiple-choice and true or false questions

In order to pass the test, you need to get 15 correct answers. The Canadian citizenship test is usually written; however, it may also be oral. The IRCC decides the type of test that you wish have based on a number of things. For instance, if you have difficulty writing and reading in English or French, you will be given an oral examination.

Important Reminder: If you have special needs but did not inform the IRCC during your application, please contact the office that sent you the notice.

Some cases of specials needs are:

  • Sign language interpretation (deaf test takers may have an interpreter to assist them when it comes to the assessment of the language skills)
  • Wheelchair access
  • Personal assistance (e.g., care attendant, sighted guide)
  • Need for more accessible material formats (e.g., large print, Braille versions, audio)

Canadian Citizenship Test Sample Questions

  1. In each province, the role similar to the Prime Minister’s belongs to

1) the Commissioner

2) the Provincial Leader

3) the Lieutenant-Governor

4) the Premier

  1. The capital of Saskatchewan, as well as home to the RCMP’s training academy, is

1) Winnipeg

2) Regina

3) Edmonton

4) Saskatoon

  1. What is Canada’s size?

1) 20 million square kilometres

2) 10 million square kilometres

3) 1 million square kilometres

4) 100 million square kilometres

  1. When was the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) completed?

1) 1985

2) 1785

3) 1823

4) 1885

  1. Who became the first French-Canadian prime minister?

1) Jacques Cartier

2) Sir George-Etienne Cartier

3) Sir Wilfried Laurier

4) Count Frontenac

Note: Only the person taking the test is allowed to enter the testing room. If you have a child, plan ahead of time and ask someone to take care of them. If you’re bringing your child, you can let him/her stay in the waiting room together with a caregiver. If you can make both ends meet, it’s best to have your test date rescheduled.

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