How the Test Works
The citizenship test is a multiple-choice exam on the rights, responsibilities, history, geography, government, and symbols of Canada, drawn from the official study guide Discover Canada. The test is written in English or French - the same languages as the application itself - and you choose your language when you apply. It is not offered in other languages, so a common trap is assuming translation is available.
The test is not scored as a pass/fail percentage you can calculate freely from memory. The widely taught rule is that the test has 20 questions and you must answer 15 correctly (75%) to pass. Questions are multiple choice with four options each. The test may be written on paper or taken online depending on the invitation you receive; the format is set by IRCC, not by you.
The test is only one part of the process. A citizenship officer may also assess your knowledge of Canada and your language ability during a hearing or interview, especially if your test result is borderline. Language ability for applicants aged 18–54 is assessed separately (speaking and listening at CLB/NCLC level 4).
Trap to watch: questions often confuse who must take the test. Applicants under 18 or 65 and over are generally exempt from the knowledge and language requirements. Another trap is mixing up the citizenship test with the citizenship ceremony - passing the test does not make you a citizen; the oath at the ceremony does.
Rule of thumb: 20 questions, 15 correct to pass. If a question offers a different number, treat it as wrong unless it matches the official guide.