Canadian Citizenship Test 2026: Format, Pass Mark and How to Study

The Canadian citizenship test has 20 multiple-choice or true/false questions, and you need 15 correct answers to pass. As of October 2026, you get 45 minutes and up to 3 attempts, and every question comes from the free study guide Discover Canada. Applicants aged 18 to 54 take it after submitting their citizenship application.

Key points

• 20 questions, 15 correct to pass (75%).
• 45 minutes, according to IRCC’s study page (updated March 31, 2026).
• 3 attempts within the 30-day period in your invitation. Fail all three and you go to a hearing.
• Taken in English or French. The test checks knowledge, not language level.
• Only ages 18 to 54 take it.

Who takes the test

You take the test if you are 18 to 54 on the date you sign your citizenship application. Applicants 55 and older are exempt. IRCC can offer accommodations, such as a Braille test, for people with disabilities. For the full list of eligibility rules, see our guide to Canadian citizenship requirements.

You do not book the test yourself. After IRCC receives your application, it sends you an invitation. The invitation gives you a test period and the instructions.

Test format at a glance

Feature	Details (as of October 2026)
Number of questions	20
Question types	Multiple choice and true/false
Pass mark	15 of 20 (75%)
Time limit	45 minutes
Attempts	Up to 3 within the 30-day test period
Language	English or French
Study source	Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
How it is taken	Usually online; some people test in person or by video

Source: IRCC’s study page and results page.

What the test covers

IRCC says the test covers:

• the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens
• Canada’s history
• geography
• economy
• government and elections
• laws
• national symbols

All of this comes from Discover Canada. Questions often test details such as who the head of state is, how laws are made, the meaning of key historical events, and facts about the provinces and territories.

Core facts worth knowing well

These are basic facts covered in Discover Canada. They are a starting point, not a substitute for reading the guide.

Topic	What to know
System of government	Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy
Head of state	The Sovereign (the King), represented by the Governor General federally and Lieutenant Governors in the provinces
Head of government	The Prime Minister federally; the Premier in each province
Levels of government	Federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal
Parliament	The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons
Confederation	1867, when the Dominion of Canada was created
Charter of Rights and Freedoms	Part of the Constitution since 1982
Official languages	English and French
Regions	10 provinces and 3 territories, grouped into five regions

Questions about your own area

Discover Canada asks readers to learn facts about where they live, such as the name of their Member of Parliament, their provincial premier and their municipal leaders. Look these up for your address before the test, because they change after elections.

How results work

Online tests

When you finish an online test, your score appears on the screen right away. This is unofficial. IRCC does not email it and you cannot log in later to see it. Print the page or email it to yourself before closing it.

An officer then reviews your result. IRCC says this can take a few days or a few weeks. Your application status shows “In progress” during the review and “Completed” once there is a pass or fail.

In-person and video tests

If you take the test in person or by Microsoft Teams, you get your official result right after the test.

Possible outcomes

• Pass: at least 15 of 20 correct.
• Fail: you failed all attempts within the 30-day period.
• Invalidated: IRCC can void a result if it suspects cheating or cannot confirm your identity or score because of a technical issue.

If you fail

You get up to three attempts within the 30-day period in your invitation. If you fail all three, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship official. According to IRCC, the hearing lasts 30 to 90 minutes and may include:

• an oral knowledge test (20 questions, 15 to pass)
• questions about your residence in Canada
• a language assessment (up to 9 questions, 6 to pass)

If you pass the hearing, you are invited to a ceremony. If you fail, your application is refused and you must apply again and pay the fees again. That is $653 for an adult as of October 2026.

After you pass

You may be invited to an interview to check your identity, original documents and eligibility. Bring your original documents and any passports or travel documents used in the past five years. After that, you are invited to a citizenship ceremony, where you take the oath and become a citizen.

A 4-week study plan

Discover Canada is free on the IRCC site as an online guide, PDF, eBook, audio file and paper copy. The plan below is a suggestion. Adjust it to your schedule.

Week 1: Rights, responsibilities and who we are

• Read the sections on rights and responsibilities of citizenship and on Canada’s peoples (Indigenous peoples, English and French heritage, diversity).
• Write your own notes. Short notes in your own words help you remember.

Week 2: History

• Read the history chapter slowly. It is the longest section.
• Build a simple timeline: key dates, people and events.
• Listen to the audio version during commutes.

Week 3: Government, elections, justice and symbols

• Learn the three levels of government and who does what.
• Learn how federal elections work and how laws are made.
• Review the justice system and national symbols.

Week 4: Economy, regions and review

• Read about each region, its provinces and territories, and capitals.
• Add your own region’s details: your premier, your MP, your province’s capital. Discover Canada encourages readers to learn these local details.
• Do practice questions every day and reread any section where you miss questions.

Study tips

• Read the whole guide. All questions come from it, and skipping sections is risky.
• Use the audio version if reading in English or French is slow for you.
• Quiz yourself with a friend or family member. Saying answers out loud helps.
• Check practice questions against the guide. Unofficial practice tests online can contain errors.

On test day

• Make sure your computer, camera and internet work before an online test.
• Have your ID ready, as listed in the invitation.
• Find a quiet, private room. Do not use notes or other help; this can invalidate your result.
• Read each question twice. With 45 minutes for 20 questions, you have more than 2 minutes per question.

What to do next

• Download Discover Canada from the IRCC study page today, even if you have not applied yet.
• Check you meet the 1,095-day and other citizenship requirements.
• Budget for the current fees.
• Find more guides on the Canada country hub.

This article is general information, not legal advice. If you need accommodations or have failed the test before, contact IRCC or speak to a licensed RCIC or lawyer.