Who Has to Take the Canadian Citizenship Test?

Before you spend any time studying, it is worth checking that you actually have a test to prepare for. The rule is simple, but one detail in it catches people out.

The rule

IRCC's wording is: if you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you have to take the citizenship test. You can read it on IRCC's page about how the citizenship test works and its page on eligibility to become a citizen, both checked on 23 September 2026.

That leaves three groups who do not take the test:

• people under 18 on the day the application is signed
• people 55 or older on that day
• people who have received a waiver from IRCC

Why the signing date matters

The age that counts is your age on the day you sign the application. Not the day IRCC receives it, not the day you are invited to the test, and not the day of your ceremony.

That has two consequences worth knowing:

• If you are 54 when you sign and turn 55 while the application is being processed, you still take the test. Your age on the signing date is what decides it.
• If you are 17 when you sign, you do not take the test, even if you are 18 by the time IRCC processes the application.

If you are close to either boundary, look carefully at the date you sign before you sign it.

What the test covers

For those who do take it, IRCC says the test asks about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens, and about Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols. All of it comes from the official guide, Discover Canada. The test is 20 questions in 45 minutes, and you need 15 right to pass.

The language requirement goes with it

The same age band decides a second requirement. If you are between 18 and 54 on the day you sign, you must also show adequate knowledge of English or French. For English, IRCC defines that as speaking and listening skills equivalent to level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB 4), and it accepts various certificates, diplomas and tests as proof.

That proof is part of your application. It is separate from the knowledge test, and passing the test does not replace it.

Are you applying for citizenship, or proof of it?

The test belongs to an application to become a citizen. Some people instead apply for a citizenship certificate because they may already be Canadian, for example through a parent. That is a different application, described on IRCC's page about proof of citizenship. If that is your situation, check that page for your own case before preparing for a test you may not need.

If you do need to take it

Start with the structure of the test, then work through Discover Canada one chapter at a time. Our study guide reduces each chapter to the facts the test asks about, and the free practice questions let you check each chapter as you finish it.