Before the day: your invitation
After IRCC reviews your application, they send an invitation to take the test online. It tells you the window you have to complete it and links you to the platform. Read it carefully, because the setup requirements are specific.
You need a computer or tablet with a working webcam and a stable internet connection, and you must use the Chrome or Safari browser. A phone will not work. Test your camera and browser ahead of time so you are not troubleshooting on the day.
Setting up
When you start, the platform confirms your identity and checks your camera. Find a quiet, well-lit spot where you will not be interrupted for the better part of an hour. Close other apps and browser tabs so nothing pops up mid-test.
Have your reference number and any documents the invitation asks for within reach before you begin, so you are not searching for them once the clock starts.
During the test
You will answer 20 multiple-choice questions and you have 45 minutes. There is no pause button, and the test submits automatically when time is up. You can answer in English or French.
Read each question fully before choosing. The questions are short and direct, so if you have studied you will usually know the answer right away. Do not overthink the wording. Answer the ones you are sure of first, and give the rest your best judgment, since there is no penalty for guessing.
- Watch the timer, but do not rush. 45 minutes is generous for 20 questions.
- Answer every question. A blank answer cannot be right, but a guess can.
- Stay in the test window and keep your face visible to the camera.
After you finish
You need 15 of 20 correct to pass. If you pass, your application moves toward the next steps, which for most people ends with taking the Oath of Citizenship at a ceremony.
If you do not pass, it is not the end. You get up to 3 attempts to pass within 30 days of your test start date. If you use all three without passing, IRCC will contact you with next steps, which can include an interview. Check the Government of Canada website for the current process, since it can change.
The best way to calm the nerves
Almost every worry about test day comes down to two things: the technology and the content. Handle the technology by testing your setup in advance, and handle the content by practising until you are consistently scoring above 75%. Do both and there is very little left to be nervous about.