How many questions are on the Canadian citizenship test?

How the score works

It’s simple: 15 or more correct out of 20 is a pass. That’s 75%. There are no separate sections and no extra rules for certain topics.

If you take the test online, you’ll see a score as soon as you submit. That score isn’t final yet. An officer checks it first, which can take a few days or a few weeks. In person or on a video call, you get your official score right away.

What the questions cover

Every question is based on Discover Canada, the official study guide. The topics are:

• Your rights and responsibilities as a citizen
• Canada’s history
• Geography and the regions
• The economy
• How government works, and elections
• Laws and the justice system
• Canadian symbols

45 minutes, not 30

You have 45 minutes. Online, the timer can’t be paused. You’ll get a warning when 5 minutes are left, and the test submits itself when time runs out.

Lots of older websites, apps and even IRCC’s own 2017 video still say 30 minutes. IRCC’s current test pages say 45, so go by that.

It isn’t a language test

You choose English or French. The test checks what you know about Canada, not how well you speak. If you’re 18 to 54, you prove your English or French separately, with documents or with an officer.

How many tries you get

You have 3 chances to pass. Online, all 3 happen inside your 30-day test window. See our page on retaking the test for what happens if all 3 go wrong.