Canadian Citizenship Test
Free Canadian citizenship test practice, on the 2026 rules
Twenty questions, forty-five minutes, fifteen correct to pass. Sit as many timed practice tests as you like — free, no card — and drill a chapter at a time in between. Every question is written from the official study guide and names the chapter it came from.
What changed on 9 March 2026
IRCC changed how the test is run, and a lot of practice sites still describe the old rules. Practising against a 30-minute clock teaches the wrong pacing, so it is worth knowing which is which.
| Before | Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit | 30 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Attempts | 2 | 3 |
| How you sit it | Usually in person | Self-administered online by default |
| Questions | 20 | 20 — unchanged |
| Pass mark | 15 | 15 — unchanged |
Sourced from IRCC's how the test works and online test pages. Checked 11 September 2026.
The ten chapters the test draws from
IRCC states that every question comes from the official study guide. It does not publish how the twenty questions are spread across it, so nobody can tell you that — including us. Our practice tests mirror the guide's own coverage, which is the only honest basis available.
- Rights and Responsibilities of CitizenshipWhat the Charter protects, and what is expected of a citizen in return.
- Who We AreAboriginal peoples, the founding peoples, immigration and the make-up of Canada today.
- Canada's HistoryFrom the first inhabitants to Confederation and the wars — the longest chapter, and the heaviest on the test.
- Modern CanadaThe country after 1945: the economy, the Charter, Quebec, and Canada's place in the world.
- How Canadians Govern ThemselvesThe Crown, Parliament, the three levels of government and who does what.
- Federal ElectionsWho may vote, how a ballot works, and how a government is formed.
- The Justice SystemThe courts, the police, and the principles behind both.
- Canadian SymbolsThe flag, the arms, the anthem, the beaver and the Victoria Cross.
- Canada's EconomyThe three kinds of industry, trade and Canada's largest partners.
- Canada's RegionsThe provinces and territories, their capitals and what each is known for.
The other test most applicants need
The knowledge test does not assess your English or French at all. If you are 18 to 54 when you apply, you must separately prove CLB 4 in speaking and listening — and that proof goes in with your application, months before the knowledge test arrives. IRCC's language rule lists what it accepts. CELPIP-General LS is the two-skill test built for it.
What CLB 4 means and how to prove it →Questions people ask
How many questions is the Canadian citizenship test?
Twenty. You have 45 minutes and need 15 correct to pass. The questions are multiple choice and true or false, and you can take the test in English or French. IRCC raised the time limit from 30 to 45 minutes on 9 March 2026.
What is the pass mark for the citizenship test?
15 out of 20, which is 75%. If you do not pass, you get up to three attempts in total before your file goes to a hearing with a citizenship officer.
Who has to take the citizenship test?
Applicants aged 18 to 54 at the time they apply. If you are 55 or over, you do not take the knowledge test and you do not have to prove your English or French.
Is the citizenship test taken online?
Usually, yes. Most applicants are invited to take a self-administered online test from home and have 30 days to sit it. Your webcam takes random photos to confirm it is you working alone, and you may not use other devices, study materials or the browser's back button. Some people take it in person or over Microsoft Teams instead.
What should I study for the citizenship test?
Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. It is the only official study guide, IRCC publishes it free at canada.ca in text, PDF, ebook and audio, and IRCC states that all test questions come from it. ExamStep's practice is a supplement to reading it, not a replacement.
Are ExamStep's practice questions the real test questions?
No, and nobody's are. IRCC does not publish its question bank, so any site advertising real or official questions is not telling you the truth. Every question here is written by ExamStep from the facts in the official guide, and each one names the chapter it came from so you can check it yourself.
Do I also need an English or French test for citizenship?
If you are 18 to 54, yes — and it is a separate exam. You must show CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening. The knowledge test itself does not assess your language at all.
About this practice material
ExamStep is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Government of Canada or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The only official study guide for the citizenship test is Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, published free by IRCC. Our questions are written by ExamStep from the facts in that guide; they are not IRCC's questions, and no practice test can promise a result. Test rules on this page were checked against canada.ca on 11 September 2026.