Seeing a score under 15 out of 20 is upsetting, but one failed attempt does not end your application. IRCC gives you more than one chance, and after that there is still a hearing with an officer. This page goes deeper on the “I failed” question. For the full picture after any result, see After the test.
First: is it really a fail?
After an online test, the score on your screen is an unofficial result. An officer reviews the test before the result is official, which can take a few days or a few weeks. For in-person and Microsoft Teams tests, the score is official right away.
IRCC does not email you a copy of the online result, and you cannot sign in later to see it. Use the buttons at the bottom of the result page to print it or email it to yourself before you close it.
IRCC uses three official outcomes:
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Pass | At least 15 of 20 correct (75%) |
| Fail | You did not pass any of your attempts in the 30-day test period |
| Invalidated | IRCC found or suspects cheating, or a technical problem means it cannot confirm your identity or score |
So one low score is not an official fail if you still have attempts left in your 30-day period.
How the three attempts work
You have up to 3 chances to pass within the 30-day test period in your invitation. This is true for online, Microsoft Teams and in-person tests.
- Online test: if you fail, you simply sign in again during the same 30-day window and try again. You cannot sign in before or after that window.
- In-person or Teams test: if you fail, IRCC sends you a new invitation for another time.
IRCC does not say how long you must wait between online attempts. That means the choice is yours, and it is easy to rush. A second attempt the same evening, while you are tired and upset, often gives the same result.
If your result was invalidated
An invalidated test is different from a fail. It can happen if the webcam photos are unclear, if you were disconnected and the system could not confirm your score, or if IRCC suspects you had help. IRCC may ask you to retake the test. Retakes can take weeks or months to schedule, and you may need an interview with an officer or a retake by videoconference. Follow the instructions IRCC sends you.
After three failed attempts: the hearing
If you fail all three attempts, IRCC invites you to a hearing with a citizenship official. It lasts about 30 to 90 minutes. The officer asks questions out loud and you answer by speaking. The officer may ask about:
| Topic | What IRCC says |
|---|---|
| Knowledge of Canada | 20 questions, you must pass 15 |
| Your residence in Canada | Questions about where and how long you lived here |
| English or French | Up to 9 questions, you must pass 6 |
You receive the hearing result by letter. If you pass, you wait for your ceremony invitation. If you fail, IRCC refuses your application. To still become a citizen, you would have to apply again and pay the fees again (see Application fees).
What about a no-show?
Not taking the test at all is treated differently from failing it. In short:
- Online test, first miss: IRCC automatically sends a new invitation with a new 30-day period and 3 chances.
- Online test, second miss: email the address in the “Rescheduling” section of your invitation with a detailed reason, your application number and your UCI. If you miss twice and do not contact IRCC, your application is abandoned and processing stops.
- In-person or Teams test: IRCC recommends you send an explanation within 30 days of the missed date. If you miss again, processing may stop.
Never just ignore an invitation. Missing a test can cost you your whole application, while failing one still leaves you more chances.
How to prepare for the retake
- Write down what you remember. Right after the test, list the topics that felt hard: dates, names, government roles, regions. Do not try to remember exact questions; any part of Discover Canada can come up next time.
- Find your weak chapters. Practise one chapter at a time and note your score for each. Most people lose points in history and government.
- Learn from every wrong answer. Read the explanation and make sure you know why the correct answer is right and why your choice was wrong.
- Take full timed mock tests. Use mock exams with the 45-minute timer. Try again only when you score 18 or more out of 20 several times in a row.
- Fix the test-day problems. If stress, the timer or a technical issue hurt you, read Test day again and do the device checks a day early.
- Check your 30-day window. Leave enough days for the next attempt, but do not leave all attempts for the last day.
If you are going to a hearing
The hearing is spoken, so practise speaking. Ask a friend or family member to read questions to you in English or French and answer out loud, in full sentences. Also be ready to talk clearly about where you have lived in Canada and when. Bring what your hearing letter asks for.
Rules can change
This page is a summary of IRCC’s pages as checked in November 2026. Rules can change. Always follow your own invitation and letters from IRCC, and contact IRCC if something is unclear. CitizenNow.ca is independent and not affiliated with IRCC.
Official pages: Test results, Missed test, Test invitation, Online test.
Ready to start again? Take practice test 1 and see where you stand today.
Dieser Leitfaden ist eine verständliche Zusammenfassung und keine Rechtsberatung. Regeln und Gebühren können sich ändern – prüfen Sie vor einem Antrag oder einer Zahlung immer die offizielle Website von IRCC.