How the Online Citizenship Test Works

Most applicants now take the knowledge test online, on their own computer, with identity verification instead of an in-person exam room. Here's what that actually involves.

Sourced from IRCC's own Taking the citizenship test help pages. This describes the real IRCC process — this site is independent and unofficial; always confirm current details directly with IRCC before your test.

The format

Same 20 questions, 45-minute limit, and 15-correct pass bar as the traditional in-person test — the online version changed how it's proctored, not what's being tested.

Identity verification

Before the test starts, you confirm your identity and take a photo of yourself and your ID with your webcam. This is how IRCC verifies that you — not someone else — are the one taking the test.

Your 30-day window and 3 attempts

Once you're invited to test, you get a 30-day window to complete it — you can take it any time within that window, including weekends and holidays. Within that window, you have up to 3 attempts to pass, whether online, by Microsoft Teams, or in person.

Preparing for it

Because the content is identical to the in-person test, the preparation is too: know Discover Canada, and practice under the same 45-minute, 20-question, 15-to-pass conditions you'll actually face. The unfamiliar part for most people is the webcam step, not the questions themselves — having a stable connection, decent lighting, and your ID ready beforehand removes most of the friction on test day.

For a full study plan rather than just the format, see how to pass the citizenship test.