Is the Canadian citizenship test hard? How to prepare
The Canadian citizenship test is not hard if you study for it, but it is not a test to take cold. It has 20 multiple-choice or true-or-false questions, all based on one free guide, Discover Canada, and you need 15 right, which is 75%. What trips people up is the pass mark, the breadth of the guide and a few facts that have changed since it was written.
Below is an honest look at what makes the test easy, what makes it tricky, and how much preparation is usually enough. igotcitizenship is an independent study app and is not affiliated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
What makes it manageable
- One source. IRCC bases every question on Discover Canada (IRCC). You do not need textbooks, courses or anything you cannot read free on canada.ca.
- A short test. Twenty questions in 45 minutes is a little over two minutes each. Most people finish with time to spare.
- Simple formats. Questions are multiple choice or true or false. There are no essays.
- Three chances. Your invitation gives you up to three attempts to pass inside your test period (IRCC).
What makes it tricky
The pass mark is high
Fifteen out of 20 means you can miss five questions, but not six. On a short test, two or three unlucky questions on a chapter you skimmed can make the difference.
The guide is broad
Discover Canada covers rights and responsibilities, history, geography, the economy, government, laws and symbols. IRCC does not publish how many questions come from each topic, so you cannot safely skip a chapter.
Close distractors
Wrong answers are often near misses: a province's largest city instead of its capital, a date one decade off, or the Governor General where the question means the Prime Minister. Our guide to the provinces and capitals of Canada covers one of the most common traps.
Some facts have changed
The guide carries a 2012 copyright line. The Sovereign is now King Charles III, NAFTA has been replaced by CUSMA, and the number of electoral districts has changed. Read what has changed since Discover Canada so an old fact does not cost you a point.
Studying in a second language
The test checks knowledge of Canada, but the guide is written in English and French. If neither is your first language, the vocabulary of history and government can slow you down, so build in extra reading time. Applicants aged 18 to 54 also need language proof at CLB 4 in speaking and listening (IRCC); see who has to take the citizenship test.
How much preparation is enough?
There is no official answer, and IRCC does not publish a routine pass rate on its test pages, so be wary of sites quoting one. A realistic plan for most people is a few weeks of short daily sessions:
- Week 1: read the guide chapter by chapter. The free audio edition helps if you learn by listening.
- Week 2: practise one topic at a time and reread what you miss.
- Week 3: sit full timed practice tests, 20 questions in 45 minutes.
- Week 4: review every mistake and focus on your weakest topic.
Our 30-day study plan sets this out day by day.
Signs you are ready
- You score 17 or more out of 20 on full timed practice tests, more than once, with fresh questions each time.
- You can explain why each answer is right, not just recognise it.
- You know the current facts where the guide is out of date.
Our margin of 17 is our own suggestion, not an IRCC rule. It gives you a buffer above the pass mark of 15.
If it does not go well
A first attempt that does not pass is not the end. You have up to three attempts in your test period, and after three unsuccessful attempts IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship official (IRCC). Our guide to what happens if you fail explains each step.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canadian citizenship test multiple choice?
Yes. The 20 questions are either multiple choice or true or false.
What percentage do I need to pass?
75%: at least 15 correct out of 20.
Can I pass without studying?
Some people do, but we do not recommend it. The test covers the whole guide, and the pass mark leaves little room for guessing.
What is the hardest part of the test?
For many people it is the history dates and the government roles. Our guides to Canadian history and how Canadians govern themselves cover both.
How long should I study?
There is no official answer. A few weeks of short, steady sessions works for most people.
Find out how ready you are today with a free practice test.