How to prepare for the Canadian citizenship test: format, study guide and tips
Translated from the Arabic original. Read in Arabic
The Canadian citizenship test measures your knowledge of citizens’ rights and responsibilities, Canada’s history and geography, its system of government and its national symbols. Applicants aged 18 to 54 take it, usually online after an invitation from IRCC.
The test format
The test has 20 multiple-choice or true/false questions, and you need at least 15 correct answers, or 75%, to pass. It is available in English or French. The time allowed is stated in your IRCC invitation, so read it carefully before you start, and make sure you have a stable internet connection if the test is online.
The study guide: Discover Canada
All test questions are based on the free official guide Discover Canada, available to read online, download, or listen to as audio on the IRCC website. It covers the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, who Canadians are, history, modern Canada, government and elections, the justice system, national symbols, the economy and the regions.
A four-week study plan
Week 1: read the whole guide quickly to see how it is organised. Week 2: study the history and government chapters closely, since many questions come from them, and note important dates such as 1867 and 1982. Week 3: symbols, regions, and rights and responsibilities. Week 4: a practice test every day, reviewing only your mistakes.
What if you fail?
If you fail the first attempt, you usually get a second chance. If you fail again, you may be invited to an interview with a citizenship official who assesses your knowledge orally. Do not worry if you need more than one attempt: many people pass on the second.
Tips for test day
Read each question to the end before answering, because some ask for the answer that is NOT correct. Watch for "choose two answers" questions. Do not leave a question unanswered, as there is no penalty for wrong answers. And remember that questions test understanding more than memorisation, such as the difference between federal and provincial powers.
Types of questions you will see
Some questions are direct and ask for a date or a name, such as the year of Confederation. Some test understanding, such as which level of government is responsible for education. Others are about rights and responsibilities, such as the difference between a right the state guarantees and a responsibility of the citizen. That last type needs understanding rather than memory, so read the rights and responsibilities chapter carefully and link each right to an everyday example.
Practise now
Ghurbatek’s Canadian citizenship test simulator covers the topics of the official guide with original questions and mirrors the 20-question, 15-to-pass format. It is an unofficial practice tool; the final reference is Discover Canada.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Laws change, so check the official sources below or the competent authority for your situation. Found a mistake? Tell us.