What happens if you fail the Canadian citizenship test?

How retakes work

Online: sign in again with your application number and UCI and start another attempt. All 3 tries must happen inside the 30-day window on your invitation. Weekends and holidays count, so you can pick any day.

In person or on a video call: if you fail, IRCC sends you a new invitation for another time.

Use the time in between

Before you try again, look at which topics tripped you up and go back to those parts of Discover Canada. A timed practice test of 20 questions helps you see if it has stuck.

The hearing after 3 fails

You’ll get the result by letter.

• It lasts 30 to 90 minutes, with a citizenship official
• You answer 20 knowledge questions out loud and need 15 right
• The official may ask about the time you’ve lived in Canada
• There may also be a language check of up to 9 questions, and you need 6 right

If you fail the hearing

Your application is refused. If you still want to become a citizen, you’ll need to apply again from the start and pay the fees again.

Other ways a test can go wrong

An online test can be marked invalid if there’s a sign of cheating or a technical problem that stops IRCC confirming your identity or score. You may be asked to take it again. And if you miss your online test twice without contacting IRCC, your application is closed.