How many times can you take the test?
You have up to 3 chances to pass the test within your 30-day test period. This is true whether you take it online, on Microsoft Teams or in person.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)Source: canada.ca, Citizenship test: how it works (opens in a new tab)
For the online test, if you fail, you log in and try again. You can take the test at any time during the 30-day period, including weekends and holidays.Source: canada.ca, Wait for a test invitation (opens in a new tab)
If you take the test in person or on Microsoft Teams and you fail, you get a new invitation for another time.
What you are told after the test
After the online test, the result page shows your score right away. This score is temporary. It is not your official result. An officer reviews your result to make it official. This could take a few days or a few weeks.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
You will not get a confirmation email, and you can't sign in to see your results again. Print the results page, or email it to yourself using the buttons at the bottom of the page.
Your official result is a fail if you failed all your test attempts during the 30-day period in your invitation.
Your application status
You won't get email updates, so check the online status tracker. Depending on your official result, your status will show one of these:Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
- Decision made on your application
- Invitation for an interview
- Invitation for a retest
- Invitation for a hearing
What happens at the hearing
If you fail the test all 3 times, you are invited to a hearing with a citizenship official. The hearing lasts 30 to 90 minutes. It helps IRCC check if you are eligible for citizenship.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
Depending on the type of hearing, the officer may ask you questions out loud:
- About your knowledge of Canada, similar to the test questions. This oral test has 20 questions, and you must pass 15 of them.
- About your residence in Canada.
- To assess your English or French. The officer can ask up to 9 questions, and you must pass 6 of them.
After the hearing
After the hearing, you get a letter with the results.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
If you pass the hearing, you wait for your invitation to the citizenship ceremony.
If you fail the hearing, your application is refused. If you still want to become a citizen, you need to apply again and pay the fees again.
If you applied as a family or group
When you apply as a family or group, all your applications are processed together. In some cases, some applications may be separated. To find out if you can separate your application to attend the ceremony on your own, email the address in the “Rescheduling” section of your invitation.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
- How many times can I retake the citizenship test?
- You have up to 3 chances to pass within your 30-day test period.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
- Do I have to wait to retake the online test?
- Canada.ca says that if you fail, you can log in and try again. You can take the test at any time during your 30-day period, as long as you still have chances left.Source: canada.ca, Wait for a test invitation (opens in a new tab)
- What happens if I fail all 3 times?
- You are invited to a hearing with a citizenship official. The officer may ask you questions out loud, including an oral knowledge test of 20 questions where you must pass 15.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
- What if I fail the hearing?
- Your application is refused. You need to apply again and pay the fees again if you still want to become a citizen.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)
- Is the score I see after the online test final?
- No. The score shown right after the online test is temporary. An officer reviews it to make it official, which could take a few days or a few weeks.Source: canada.ca, Test results and next steps (opens in a new tab)