Retaking the Canadian Citizenship Test in 2025 | What You Need to Know

If you didn’t pass the Canadian citizenship test on your first try, take a deep breath — you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not out of chances. Every year, thousands of applicants don’t meet the 75% threshold the first time around. The good news? The process is designed to give you another shot, and with the right strategy, most people pass on their second attempt.

The key now isn’t to panic — it’s to regroup, study smarter, and avoid the common traps that caused you trouble the first time. Whether it was misunderstanding the question phrasing, rushing through without fully preparing, or using outdated resources, this is your opportunity to fix it.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

What to expect when retaking the test
How the second attempt differs from the first
Specific study strategies that actually work
And how to prepare with confidence so you pass and move forward toward becoming a Canadian citizen.

Let’s turn your first attempt into a learning experience — and your second into a success.

📉 What Happens If You Fail the Test?

If your online IRCC status shows that you did not pass the citizenship test, don’t worry — this is not the end of your journey. IRCC understands that many applicants may struggle the first time, especially if the questions were unexpected or if nerves got in the way. Here’s what usually happens next: You’ll be scheduled for a second attempt. This will appear in your IRCC online account within a few days to a few weeks. The notification will include your new test date, time, and whether it will be online or in person.

You have two chances to pass. The second test is just like the first: 20 questions, based on Discover Canada, and a passing score of 75% (15 correct answers) is still required.

If you fail again, you may be invited to attend a citizenship interview. During this meeting, a citizenship officer will ask you oral questions to assess your understanding of Canadian history, rights, government, and values. This interview gives you a final opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge in a one-on-one setting.

The system is built to be fair and supportive. Failing the test once (or even twice) doesn’t block your path to becoming a Canadian citizen — it simply means you’ll need to prepare more thoroughly and try again. The goal of the test isn’t to exclude people; it’s to make sure new citizens are well-informed and ready to participate fully in Canadian society.

📅 How Long Do You Have to Wait?

You won’t need to reapply, repay, or restart your application if you fail the Canadian citizenship test once. The IRCC automatically gives you a second chance — but how you use the waiting period can make all the difference.

Typical timeline:

Most applicants receive their second test invitation within 30 to 60 days after their first exam. This gives you a window of several weeks to study more effectively, address weak spots, and rebuild your confidence.

Use this time wisely:

Instead of repeating the same habits, evaluate what went wrong:

Did you rush through the Discover Canada guide?
Were you relying too much on outdated apps?
Did you focus on memorization instead of comprehension?

Now’s the time to change your study routine. Try timed practice exams, review official resources more deeply, and prioritize understanding the material, not just recognizing the correct answers. 👉 Remember: The IRCC gives you this break so you can come back stronger. It’s not a punishment — it’s an opportunity. Use it strategically.

🧠 What Changes Should You Make for the Retest?

If you didn’t pass the first time, simply repeating the same prep strategy won’t cut it. The second test won’t be identical to your first. While the questions are still based on Discover Canada, they’re drawn from a large pool — with new phrasing, subtle variations, and more nuanced reasoning.

To succeed on your second attempt, you need to adjust your strategy, not just redo the same practice:

Study all chapters of Discover Canada — not just the ones you remember seeing. The second test may focus on areas you didn’t review last time. Don’t skip Indigenous history, the structure of government, or responsibilities of citizens — these are commonly tested.

Practice with new and updated sample questions that reflect 2025 trends — especially those that test reasoning and interpretation. Sites like Examzify offer practice questions modeled after current formats with more complex wording.

Focus on understanding why each answer is correct. Instead of memorizing letters (A, B, C...), learn the logic behind the right choices. This improves your performance on tricky comprehension-style questions.

Change your materials. If your first study round relied heavily on flashcards, YouTube videos, or basic apps, it’s time to go back to the source. Read Chapters 1 (Rights and Responsibilities), 4 (How Canadians Govern Themselves), and 6 (Canada’s History) closely. These sections are tested more frequently and often contain the most nuanced material.

👉 Bottom line: The retest is your chance to prove you’ve gone deeper, not just longer. Change your habits, rethink your approach, and come in sharper than before.

🧾 What If You Fail a Second Time?

If your second attempt at the citizenship test is unsuccessful, your journey doesn’t end there. Instead, IRCC will schedule you for an in-person interview with a citizenship officer — one final opportunity to show that you’re ready to become a Canadian citizen.

What happens at the interview:

During this session, the officer will:

Ask you verbal questions based on Discover Canada

Assess your understanding of Canada’s history, values, political system, and civic duties

Possibly ask follow-up questions to ensure you’re not just repeating memorized facts, but actually grasping the material

The interview is not a punishment — it's a supportive step designed to give you another chance to demonstrate your readiness in a more conversational and less pressured setting.

Why many people pass at this stage:

Because it’s a one-on-one discussion, you won’t have the stress of multiple-choice traps or tricky wording. If you’ve taken the time to review and reflect, you’ll be able to express what you’ve learned confidently.

👉 Tip: Focus on understanding the big ideas in Discover Canada — not just memorizing dates or names. Be ready to talk about what it means to be an active, informed citizen.

🔄 Can You Prepare Differently the Second Time?

Yes — and you should. Here are three strategies that make a big difference for retakes:

Use smarter sample tests Not all practice quizzes are equal. Use updated ones from Examzify that reflect 2025 trends, including reasoning-based questions and more emphasis on Indigenous history, Canadian values, and government comprehension.
Study in the test language Even if you read Discover Canada in another language, make sure to practice in English or French, depending on your test. Understanding the phrasing is critical — many people fail because they misinterpret the wording, not because they lack knowledge.
Review the topics you missed Don’t just do another practice test. Reflect. Which section did you struggle with last time? Was it government structure, rights and responsibilities, or history? Go back and re-read those chapters — slowly.

📚 What Sections to Focus on Before Retesting

If you’re preparing for a second attempt at the Canadian citizenship test, targeting high-frequency topics can make a big difference. While all chapters in Discover Canada are important, some sections tend to show up more often and carry greater weight in terms of understanding core Canadian values and systems. Here's where to focus your attention:

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship (Chapter 1): This chapter lays the foundation of what it means to be a Canadian citizen. Questions often test your grasp of key freedoms (like religion, expression, and mobility) and responsibilities (like jury duty, voting, and obeying the law). IRCC wants to know that applicants truly understand what citizenship entails — not just legally, but ethically.

Modern Canada and Multiculturalism (Chapter 4): In recent years, test questions have increasingly focused on Canada’s multicultural identity and efforts toward inclusion. Understanding Canada's evolution into a diverse society, the importance of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and the social values reflected in immigration policies is essential.

Government and Parliament Structure (Chapter 6): Expect at least one or two questions on how the Canadian government functions. Know the roles of the Prime Minister, Governor General, Members of Parliament, and the three levels of government. You should also understand the basics of law-making and the electoral process.

National Symbols and Identity (Appendix): While sometimes overlooked, questions on flags, holidays, and symbols like the beaver, maple leaf, or O Canada appear regularly. These questions are often phrased in a way that tests your attention to detail and cultural awareness. 💡 Bonus Tip: Don’t just read — write your own summaries of each chapter in plain language. This technique forces you to actively process and rephrase information, which helps you retain it longer and understand it better. You’ll walk into the retest not just remembering facts, but confidently applying them.

✅ Final Checklist Before Your Retest

Reread Discover Canada, especially chapters you missed
Take 2–3 new sample tests from a reliable source
Time yourself on at least one full test
Practice explaining your answers out loud — like you're teaching someone
Reflect on your mistakes and re-study weak areas

🚀 Conclusion: Don’t Let One Test Define You

Failing the citizenship test once isn’t the end — it’s a reset. A chance to come back stronger, smarter, and more prepared. Now you know what the test feels like. Now you know which areas need work. And now you have the tools to do something about it.

📢 Your next step is simple but powerful:

👉 Take a free, realistic practice test today at Examzify — and see how much you’ve already grown.

With the right mindset, a few smart study adjustments, and a little daily focus, you’ll be ready to walk into your retest with confidence — and walk out one step closer to calling yourself a Canadian citizen. You've already started the journey. Now finish strong.