Failing the Canadian citizenship test is one of the biggest fears for any applicant. And that’s completely normal. After studying for hours, putting in so much effort and hope, receiving a “not passed” result can feel like a bucket of cold water.
At that moment, your mind starts racing. Nerves kick in. Doubts arise. And the classic question appears: “What happens now?” But take a deep breath… Failing the test does not mean that everything is lost or that your path to Canadian citizenship ends here.
You still have options. You still have chances. And I’ll explain them to you step by step.
But first, let’s discuss something important.
Canadian citizenship test results
There are two types of test results: official and unofficial. Yes, this may sound confusing at first, but don’t worry. I’ll explain them.
Once you finish your online citizenship test, the system shows you a provisional score right away. This result appears instantly because the system grades your answers as soon as you submit them. However, this score is temporary and not your official result. All tests must be reviewed by an immigration officer.
Still, this preliminary result is important. First, it gives you a clear idea of how you did and helps reduce the stress and anxiety that come with waiting. Second, it confirms that you took the Canadian citizenship test. IRCC does not send a confirmation email after you complete the online test, so this result serves as proof in case of any issues later.
Such problems are rare, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Once you see your unofficial result, you can print it, save it as a PDF, or email it to yourself. That way, you have a copy for your records.
If you take the test in person or via Microsoft Teams, you will not receive an unofficial result on the screen. In that case, you will need to wait for the official result.
The official result is issued by an officer after reviewing your test. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, especially if you took the test online. There are three possible results.
Possible results of a Canadian citizenship test
Passed
You receive this result when you correctly answer at least 15 out of 20 questions, which means you achieve a score of 75% or higher. If you receive a passing score, congratulations! You can then move on to the next step.
Depending on your case, IRCC may invite you to a more detailed interview with an officer. This does not happen in every case. Alternatively, you may receive an invitation to your citizenship ceremony, where you will take the oath.
Failure
This is the result most people fear. It means that you did not reach the required score and did not pass the test. But don’t get discouraged. Failing once does not mean your application will be rejected. You still have other chances to pass.
Invalid
This result is a bit more complicated. It is issued when there are identity verification issues or technical problems that prevent IRCC from confirming that the test was taken correctly. This can also happen if an IRCC officer suspects or confirms cheating during the test.
What happens if you fail the Canadian citizenship test?
First, stay calm and don’t panic. You have more chances to pass. According to the official IRCC website, you can take the test up to three times within 30 days, whether online, via Microsoft Teams, or in person.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, the IRCC will send you a notice with your results and details for your next test. They will inform you of the date, time, and format of the new exam. The test will be the same as before. You will answer 20 multiple-choice or true-or-false questions about Canada. The topics will not change, and you must still answer at least 15 questions correctly to pass.
If you fail the second time, the process does not stop. You have one more chance to pass within the 30 days.
However, if you fail all three attempts, IRCC will invite you to a hearing with a citizenship officer. The purpose of this hearing is to assess your knowledge and language skills.
During the hearing, the officer will ask you questions about your knowledge of Canada and your experience living in the country. The officer will also evaluate your English or French skills. The oral knowledge test includes 20 questions, and you must answer at least 15 correctly. For the language portion, the officer may ask up to nine questions, and you must answer at least six correctly. The interview usually lasts 30 to 90 minutes.
After the interview, IRCC will send you a letter with the results. If you pass, the process continues, and you will receive an invitation to your citizenship ceremony. If you do not pass, your application will be denied, and if you still wish to become a citizen, you will need to reapply and pay the fees again.
Summing up…
As you can see, failing the Canadian citizenship test the first time is not as serious as it seems. You have two more chances to pass, plus a hearing with an officer if needed.
That said, proper preparation is crucial. The sooner you start, the better. Study all the topics carefully, read the official material, and, most importantly, practice with mock exams. Practicing builds confidence, and confidence makes a big difference on test day.
At Citizen Now, we offer more than 200 practice questions based on the official ones, so you can feel confident and ready when the big day comes. So don’t think about it any longer. Download Citizen Now and join the thousands of applicants who have passed their Canadian citizenship test with our help.