Many of our citizenship clients express feelings of nervousness about writing the Canadian citizenship test. They often ask us for tips on how to best prepare for the test to ensure they pass on the first attempt.
Once you have applied for Canadian citizenship and sent your application to Sydney, Nova Scotia for processing, you can begin preparing for the citizenship exam. We always recommend that you begin studying for the exam as soon as you apply for citizenship. This is particularly important if English/French is not your first language.
How to Prepare for the Test
There are a couple of tips we always offer to those preparing for the citizenship test. You can use the citizenship booklet, which essentially serves as a Canadian citizenship test study guide. The booklet is organized by category and offers information about Canadian history, government, regions, and Canadian symbols. The booklet is a great resource to begin preparation with.
We also recommend using online study guides and quizzes. Using quizzes and tests to help you prepare can be beneficial in combination with reading through the study guide. This will prepare you for writing the actual exam.
If you are very apprehensive about writing the exam, you can also attend citizenship workshops. Many local libraries and newcomer centres offer citizenship workshops on a monthly or bi-weekly basis to help you prepare for the test with other prospective applicants.
Another helpful option is to book a citizenship exam tutoring session. We offer one-on-one, tutoring sessions to those preparing to write the Canadian citizenship exam. We can connect with you over the phone, video call, or in-person to review materials, offer advice and recommendations, and answer any questions you may have.
Canadian Citizenship Test Tips
We have a couple of other tips for you to follow in advance of your citizenship test. We recommend that you continue to take online practice tests until you are scoring at 100 percent. This will help you feel confident going into the exam and ensure you know the material.
You can also review the booklet by subject to ensure you have reviewed every aspect of the exam. There will be questions regarding the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, Canadian history, the Canadian government (local, provincial, and federal), and more.
With this in mind, there are a few questions you can be confident will appear on the test. There are always questions about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and what citizens can/cannot do. We find that questions about local government and politicians, provincial and federal politicians.
Final Tips:
Be prepared to take the test at a test centre.
Stay focused on the exam and try not to get distracted by those around you. There will be many other candidates writing in the room with you. So, it’s important to keep this in mind.
Bring earplugs to block out noise, if this will help you.
Listen to calming music before the exam to help you relax.
How many questions are on the citizenship test in Canada? How long does the Canadian citizenship test take?
You have 30 minutes to write the Canadian citizenship test. There are 20 multiple choice questions with four answer options to choose from. You must answer at least 16 questions correctly to pass the test.
What happens if you fail the Canadian citizenship test?
If you don’t pass the Canadian citizenship test on the first try, but you meet the other criteria for citizenship, you can ask to be scheduled for a second test. The second test will usually take place 1-2 months after the first test, which gives you plenty of time to prepare. If you do not pass the second test, you may be sent to a hearing with a citizenship officer.
Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
