How the test works
Learn how the test works, who has to take it and how you can take it, depending on your situation.
On this page
What to expect
- Wait for a test invitation
We’ll send you an email invitation to take the test within a few weeks or months of the day you submit your citizenship application.
- Take the test
Study for the test and take it online. In some cases, we may ask you to take it in person or on Microsoft Teams.
- Get your results
We’ll review your results and let you know if you passed or failed. You’ll hear from us in a few weeks or months, depending on how you took your test.
- Wait for next steps
Depending on the results of your test, we may invite you to
- a ceremony
- an interview
- a re-test
- a hearing
Who has to take the test
In most cases, if you’re between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you have to take the citizenship test.
You don’t have to take the test if
- you’re under 18 years old or over 55 years old
- you asked for and received a waiver
How to take the test
We have alternate test formats if you need an accommodation. For all formats, you’ll have 3 chances to pass the test, and you can take it in either French or English.
Online test
We’ll invite most citizenship applicants to take the online test unless an accommodation is needed.
You can take the online test from anywhere. We’ll include a link to the test in your invitation. While you take the test, we’ll monitor you using your webcam.
You’ll have 30 days to take this test.
Accessibility and test accommodations
If you request an accommodation for the citizenship test, we’ll contact you to arrange it. Depending on your situation, you’ll take the test in person or on Microsoft Teams.
In person
The test can be
- written on paper, alone or with other test takers, or
- taken orally
We can also give you the test in a different format (for example, Braille).
We’ll contact you to schedule a specific date, time and location.
Bringing children to the in-person test
You cannot bring your child to the in-person test. Only the person scheduled for the test can be in the testing room.
If you need help, contact the office that sent your invitation to explain your situation. The office will let you know if you can bring your child. For example, you may be able to bring someone to supervise your child in the waiting room of the test location.
If the test location can’t accommodate your child
- make a different child care arrangement on the day of the test or
- ask the office to reschedule your test
Microsoft Teams
To conduct the test orally, we’ll contact you to schedule a Microsoft Teams video call.
If you didn’t request a test accommodation in your application, you can still ask for one after you receive your test invitation.
How to request an accommodationPage details
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