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Canadian citizenship practice test

20 random questions, scored like the real test, with an explanation for every answer.

Last reviewed 2026-11-08 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Quick answer

The real Canadian citizenship test has 20 questions (multiple choice or true/false), lasts 45 minutes, and you need 15 correct to pass. Applicants aged 18 to 54 take it, and you get 3 chances. All questions come from the official study guide, Discover Canada. This free practice test draws 20 questions from our bank of 76 and shows you why each answer is right.

  1. 1. In what year was the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms added to the Constitution?
  2. 2. Which of these is a responsibility of Canadian citizenship?
  3. 3. Who can vote in a Canadian federal election?
  4. 4. What does 'habeas corpus' protect?
  5. 5. Which document, signed in 1215, is the origin of many Canadian legal traditions of freedom?
  6. 6. Mobility rights in the Charter mean Canadians can:
  7. 7. Are men and women equal under Canadian law?
  8. 8. What are Canada's two official languages?
  9. 9. In which year was the Official Languages Act passed?
  10. 10. Is voting by secret ballot in Canada?
  11. 11. In what year did Confederation create the Dominion of Canada?
  12. 12. Which four provinces first formed Canada in 1867?
  13. 13. Who was Canada's first Prime Minister?
  14. 14. What are the three groups of Aboriginal peoples recognized in Canada?
  15. 15. Which battle in 1759 ended French rule in North America at Quebec City?
  16. 16. In which war did Canadians help defend against an American invasion, with figures like Sir Isaac Brock and Laura Secord?
  17. 17. What was the Great Upheaval?
  18. 18. What was the Underground Railroad?
  19. 19. In what year was the Canadian Pacific Railway completed, linking the country from coast to coast?
  20. 20. Which battle in April 1917 is remembered as a defining moment for Canada in the First World War?
0 of 20 answered

All 76 practice questions and answers

Study by topic. These are written by Click Studio PR from facts in Discover Canada; they aren't IRCC's own questions.

Rights and responsibilities (10)
  1. In what year was the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms added to the Constitution? 1982. The Charter became part of the Constitution of Canada in 1982.
  2. Which of these is a responsibility of Canadian citizenship? Serving on a jury when called. Serving on a jury when called is a responsibility; others include obeying the law, voting, and helping others in the community.
  3. Who can vote in a Canadian federal election? Canadian citizens aged 18 or older on election day. Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old on election day can vote in federal elections.
  4. What does 'habeas corpus' protect? The right to challenge unlawful detention by the state. Habeas corpus is the right to challenge unlawful detention by the state; it comes from English common law.
  5. Which document, signed in 1215, is the origin of many Canadian legal traditions of freedom? Magna Carta. Magna Carta (the Great Charter of Freedoms) was signed in England in 1215.
  6. Mobility rights in the Charter mean Canadians can: Live and work anywhere in Canada and enter or leave the country. Mobility rights let Canadians live and work anywhere in Canada, enter and leave Canada freely, and apply for a passport.
  7. Are men and women equal under Canadian law? Yes. In Canada, men and women are equal under the law.
  8. What are Canada's two official languages? English and French. English and French are Canada's official languages and have equal status in Parliament and federal institutions.
  9. In which year was the Official Languages Act passed? 1969. The Official Languages Act was passed in 1969.
  10. Is voting by secret ballot in Canada? Yes — no one can be required to reveal how they voted. Canadian elections use a secret ballot.
Canadian history (20)
  1. In what year did Confederation create the Dominion of Canada? 1867. Confederation took place on July 1, 1867.
  2. Which four provinces first formed Canada in 1867? Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The founding provinces were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
  3. Who was Canada's first Prime Minister? Sir John A. Macdonald. Sir John A. Macdonald became Canada's first Prime Minister in 1867.
  4. What are the three groups of Aboriginal peoples recognized in Canada? First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The three distinct groups of Aboriginal peoples are First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
  5. Which battle in 1759 ended French rule in North America at Quebec City? Battle of the Plains of Abraham. The British defeated the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759.
  6. In which war did Canadians help defend against an American invasion, with figures like Sir Isaac Brock and Laura Secord? The War of 1812. The War of 1812 saw the defence of Canada against American invasion.
  7. What was the Great Upheaval? The deportation of the Acadians from 1755 to 1763. More than two-thirds of the Acadians were deported from their homeland between 1755 and 1763.
  8. What was the Underground Railroad? A network that helped people escape slavery in the United States and reach Canada. The Underground Railroad helped thousands of enslaved people escape from the United States to settle in Canada.
  9. In what year was the Canadian Pacific Railway completed, linking the country from coast to coast? 1885. The last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885.
  10. Which battle in April 1917 is remembered as a defining moment for Canada in the First World War? Battle of Vimy Ridge. Canadians captured Vimy Ridge in April 1917.
  11. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, which beach did Canadian troops land on? Juno Beach. Canadian forces landed on Juno Beach in Normandy on D-Day.
  12. Which province was the first to give women the right to vote, in 1916? Manitoba. Manitoba became the first province to grant women the vote, in 1916.
  13. Who was the first woman elected to the House of Commons, in 1921? Agnes Macphail. Agnes Macphail was the first woman elected to the House of Commons, in 1921.
  14. When did Newfoundland and Labrador join Canada? 1949. Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada in 1949.
  15. Which two provinces were created in 1905? Alberta and Saskatchewan. Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces in 1905.
  16. Which province joined Canada in 1871 after being promised a railway? British Columbia. British Columbia joined Confederation in 1871, with the promise of a transcontinental railway.
  17. Manitoba joined Confederation in which year? 1870. Manitoba became a province in 1870.
  18. When did Nunavut become a territory? 1999. Nunavut was created in 1999.
  19. What was the Marathon of Hope? A cross-Canada run by Terry Fox to raise money for cancer research. In 1980 Terry Fox began a cross-country run, the Marathon of Hope, to raise money for cancer research.
  20. In 2008, the Government of Canada formally apologized for which policy? The residential school system. In 2008 Ottawa formally apologized to former students of residential schools.
How Canada is governed (18)
  1. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy and a: Federal state. Canada's system of government has three key facts: it is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
  2. Who is Canada's Head of State? The Sovereign (the monarch). The Sovereign is Canada's Head of State. The Prime Minister is the Head of Government.
  3. Who represents the Sovereign in Canada at the federal level? The Governor General. The Governor General represents the Sovereign in Canada.
  4. Who represents the Sovereign in each province? The Lieutenant Governor. In each province the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor.
  5. What are the three parts of Parliament? The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons. Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.
  6. How do members of the House of Commons get their seats? They are elected by voters. Members of Parliament in the House of Commons are elected by the people.
  7. How are senators chosen? Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice and serve until age 75.
  8. Until what age can senators serve? 75. Senators may serve until age 75.
  9. What are the three levels of government in Canada? Federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal. Canada has federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal (local) governments.
  10. Who is the Head of Government in Canada? The Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the Head of Government.
  11. What is the group of ministers chosen by the Prime Minister called? The Cabinet. The Prime Minister selects Cabinet ministers, who are responsible for running federal departments.
  12. What must happen before a bill becomes law? It passes both houses of Parliament and receives Royal Assent. A bill must pass the House of Commons and the Senate and then receive Royal Assent.
  13. What is an electoral district (riding)? A geographical area represented by one Member of Parliament. Canada is divided into electoral districts, or ridings, each electing one Member of Parliament.
  14. After an election, which party usually forms the government? The party with the most seats in the House of Commons. The party with the most seats in the House of Commons usually forms the government.
  15. Which party becomes the Official Opposition? The party with the second-most seats in the House of Commons. The party with the second-most seats is usually the Official Opposition.
  16. Federal elections must be held on the third Monday in October how often, following the last general election? Every 4 years. The law sets a fixed date: the third Monday in October every four years after the last general election.
  17. What is Canada's national police force? The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The RCMP enforces federal laws throughout Canada.
  18. What is the capital of Canada? Ottawa. Ottawa, chosen by Queen Victoria in 1857, is the capital of Canada.
Symbols and holidays (10)
  1. When is Canada Day? July 1. Canada Day, July 1, celebrates the anniversary of Confederation.
  2. When is Remembrance Day? November 11. On November 11, Canadians remember those who served and died in war.
  3. What is Canada's national anthem? O Canada. O Canada was proclaimed the national anthem in 1980.
  4. In what year was the red-and-white maple leaf flag raised for the first time? 1965. The current Canadian flag was raised for the first time in 1965.
  5. What is Canada's highest honour for bravery in wartime? The Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross is the highest honour available to Canadians.
  6. What is Canada's national winter sport? Hockey. Hockey is Canada's national winter sport; lacrosse is the national summer sport.
  7. What is Canada's national summer sport? Lacrosse. Lacrosse is Canada's official summer sport.
  8. Victoria Day is celebrated on: The Monday before May 25. Victoria Day is the Monday preceding May 25, the Sovereign's birthday in Canada.
  9. Which leaf is a well-known symbol of Canada? Maple. The maple leaf is Canada's best-known symbol.
  10. What does the phrase 'peace, order and good government' describe? The principle in the Constitution for how Canada is governed. The Constitution refers to 'peace, order and good government' as the basis of federal law-making.
Regions and geography (18)
  1. How many provinces and territories does Canada have? 10 provinces and 3 territories. Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories.
  2. Which are Canada's three territories? Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The territories are Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
  3. Canada is bordered by which three oceans? Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic. Canada borders the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans.
  4. By land area, Canada is the world's: Second-largest country. Canada is the second-largest country in the world by area.
  5. What is the capital of Nunavut? Iqaluit. Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut.
  6. What is the capital of the Northwest Territories? Yellowknife. Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories.
  7. What is the capital of Yukon? Whitehorse. Whitehorse is the capital of Yukon.
  8. Which is Canada's largest city by population? Toronto. Toronto is Canada's largest city.
  9. Which province is the only officially bilingual province? New Brunswick. New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province.
  10. What is the capital of Prince Edward Island? Charlottetown. Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island and is known as the birthplace of Confederation.
  11. Which region is often called Canada's breadbasket for its farmland? The Prairie provinces. The Prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) have some of the world's richest farmland.
  12. What is the capital of British Columbia? Victoria. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia.
  13. What is the capital of Alberta? Edmonton. Edmonton is the capital of Alberta.
  14. What is the capital of Saskatchewan? Regina. Regina is the capital of Saskatchewan.
  15. What is the capital of Manitoba? Winnipeg. Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba.
  16. What is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador? St. John's. St. John's is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  17. What is the capital of Nova Scotia? Halifax. Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia.
  18. What is the capital of New Brunswick? Fredericton. Fredericton is the capital of New Brunswick.

How the real test works

Questions20, multiple choice or true/false
Time45 minutes
Pass mark15 of 20
Who takes itMost applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they sign the application
Attempts3 chances; English or French
Study materialDiscover Canada — the official, free study guide

The test is one step. See the full citizenship guide for fees and language proof, and check your days with the physical presence calculator.

Official sources

What we checkedOfficial page
20 questions, 45 minutes, 15 to pass, 3 chances, study guideIRCC — Study for the test
Ages 18–54, English or FrenchIRCC — How the test works

Sources last checked 2026-11-08.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Canadian citizenship test?+

20 questions, multiple choice or true/false, and you have 45 minutes. You need at least 15 correct answers to pass (IRCC).

Who has to take the citizenship test?+

In most cases, applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they sign their application. People under 18 or 55 and older don't take it.

How many chances do I get to pass?+

IRCC gives you 3 chances to pass. You can take the test in English or French.

Where do the real test questions come from?+

IRCC bases all test questions on its official study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Read the full guide — this practice test covers common topics but isn't the official question bank.

Does the test check my English or French?+

No. The citizenship test doesn't assess language skills. Adults 18–54 prove language separately at CLB/NCLC 4 in speaking and listening.