Canada boasts one of the highest qualities of life in 2021 surveys. Are you tired of going there as a tourist? Get your application rolling, then!
With the surge of immigration to Canada, you want to put your best foot forward. You might feel excited about the job opportunities, greener pastures, northern lights, and the moose. Before you become a Canadian citizen, you must pass the Canadian citizenship test.
The concept of a citizenship test is quite peculiar. You don’t “teach” someone to become Canadian. However, to become a citizen, you have to possess the bare minimum knowledge of the patriotic fields.
Check out this guide on preparing and passing the Canadian citizenship test. Know what you need to study and how to study the subjects for your test. You can almost smell the maple syrup.
Table of Contents
What Is the Canadian Citizenship Test?
The Canadian citizenship test is a multiple-choice test on basic Canadian information a citizen should know. Not only does it involve history, geography, and culture, but it involves you as well.
As a Canadian, you need to know your rights as a voter and as a citizen. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) administer this test. They’re entrusted with making sure you’re well-rounded and well-informed.
This poll shows that not all natural-born Canadians would pass the citizenship test. However, as an immigrant, you have something to prove to the country you want to move to.
You need to get 75% of the answers or 15 out of 20 questions right to pass the test. The passing rate is quite high, with only 4% of 145,000 takers failing in 2008.
Why You Need it
The citizenship test is one of the steps that grant you legal residence in an area. In the case of Canada, you need to process the application and complete the test and interview.
Capping this process off with a ceremony, all in all takes around 27 months. Avoid deportation and get in the legal way.
1. Know the Test Coverage
Before knowing how to study, you have to know what to study. The citizenship test covers pretty much the patriotic fields. They include:
- Canadian history
- Canadian geography
- Three levels of the Canadian government
- Canadian economics
- Canadian culture
- Rights and responsibilities of citizenship
- Voting in Canada
- Current events
Whip out the index cards and highlighters! Take a trip back to memory lane and study as you used to in high school. Expect heavy memorization, especially when it comes to geography and history.
Think like a Canadian. You have to learn the laws of the land and the lay of the land before you can call yourself a proud citizen. Read about major historical events and influential figures.
Go back to the roots of Canada and what its symbols are today. Know your rights and responsibilities as a Canadian citizen.
Memorization isn’t the only thing you need–you need understanding as well. You’re not only gunning for a place in this country; you’re gunning for identity and belonging.
While the test doesn’t include specific sections for English proficiency, the test is in either English or French. It’s implicit that you know English beforehand, which has its own evaluation using TOEFL or its equivalent.
2. Take Practice Tests
The test itself has a total of 20 questions that are either multiple choice or true or false. You don’t have to worry about any essay questions. Leave that up to the interview that follows.
Train yourself by taking mock question and answer tests. Practice tests help you by simulating the actual test and by allowing you to gauge your score if you took it now. Check out Citizenship Canadian to try your hand at the practice test!
Look for questions from third-party study guides or the official study guide available online. Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship is the only official free study guide. It’s provided by the IRCC itself to help you!
Third-party study guides are available; however, take them at your own risk. The official study guide offers the closest simulation of the actual test.
Nevertheless, try taking tests from unaffiliated parties to help broaden your horizons. Who knows, it might help you prepare for any wildcard questions.
3. Mix It up a Little
Visit Citizenship Counts for a fun and interactive way to study for the test. Earn badges, watch videos, and take practice quizzes!
The study guides come in different formats for you to choose from. You might opt to read it online or read the downloadable PDF or ebook if you’re a visual learner.
For audiovisual learners, mp3 versions and videos are available online. You may order a paper copy of the study guide if you have an easier time holding pages rather than looking at a screen.
Give yourself fun ways to learn about your future home and ace that test!
4. Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself
You don’t want to be complacent, but don’t be too harsh on yourself. If you remember anything from your studying days, it’s that pressure increases stress and anxiety.
The stakes are high; we are talking about starting a new life in a new country here. It’s heavy knowing that a 30-minute test decides the next step of your future, but do yourself a favor and go easy on yourself. It may take a while, but there’s always a next time.
Don’t panic; you’ll do fine. Make sure to check your email and not to miss your appointment unless it’s an emergency!
Become a Resident When You Pass the Canadian Citizenship Test
Be part of the ice hockey capital of the world and get a taste of equitable healthcare. Study Canadian geography, economics, history, culture, and current events. The Canadian citizenship test might seem intimidating, but try to gain mastery over the coverage, and you’re all set.
Thank you for reading our article! We have more articles on international travel and residence in our other blog posts. Check them out and have a good day, eh?
