Citizenship Test Completed — What Happens Next? (Step-by-Step)

You just clicked 'Submit' on the citizenship test. The screen says 'Test Complete.' Now what? No score flashes. No confetti. Just... a confirmation that the test is done. Here's what happens from this moment forward, step by step.

When you submit the online citizenship test, you see a brief confirmation screen — something like "Your test has been submitted successfully" or "Test Complete." You do NOT see:

• Your score
• Whether you passed or failed
• Which questions you got right or wrong

This is by design — IRCC processes results through an officer review, not instant automated scoring. Log out of the test portal, close the browser, and take a breath. You're done with the test itself.

Your results will appear in your IRCC online account — the same account where you submitted your citizenship application and track its progress. Here's what to check:

1. Log in to your IRCC account at [ircc.canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html)
2. Navigate to your citizenship application status
3. Look for a status change — typically from "Test — Scheduled" to either "Test — Passed" or "Decision Made"

Timing varies: Some people see results the same day (especially afternoon test-takers). Others wait 1-2 weeks. There's no way to speed this up and no point contacting IRCC before the 2-week mark.

Also check your email (including spam/junk folders). IRCC sometimes sends notifications about status changes.

If you passed (15+/20), your tracker will show one of two statuses:

"Test — Passed"

Your test results have been recorded. An IRCC officer is now reviewing your complete file (test results + all supporting documents + background check) to make a final decision.

"Decision Made"

The officer has approved your citizenship application. You're now in the oath ceremony scheduling queue. This is the final step — once you take the oath, you're a Canadian citizen.

What "Decision Made" does NOT mean:

• It doesn't mean your oath is scheduled yet
• It doesn't give you a ceremony date
• It doesn't tell you whether the ceremony will be online or in-person

You're waiting for a ceremony invitation, which arrives by email and/or in your IRCC account. Typical wait: 4-24 weeks depending on your city (Toronto and Vancouver are slowest, smaller cities are faster).

[See our full guide to oath ceremony wait times](https://citizenpass.ca/blog/after-citizenship-test-how-long-oath-ceremony-canada) for detailed timelines by city.

If you scored below 15/20, your application is NOT refused. You get to try again. Here's the retake process:

How retakes work:

1. IRCC sends you a new test invitation — typically within 4-8 weeks
2. You receive the invitation by email and/or in your IRCC account
3. You take the test again — same format, different questions
4. You have up to 3 total attempts

What to do between attempts:

• Identify your weak areas. Think about which questions felt hardest. Were they history? Government? Geography?
• Study those specific topics. Don't re-read all of *Discover Canada* linearly — focus on the chapters that tripped you up
• Take daily practice tests. [CitizenPass](https://citizenpass.ca/practice-test) offers AI coaching that identifies your weak chapters and targets them
• Aim higher. If you scored 13/20, you were close — focused study on 2-3 topics can easily add the 2 points you need

After 3 failed attempts:

IRCC refers you to a citizenship hearing — an oral interview with a citizenship officer. This is NOT a dead end. The officer asks you questions about Canada verbally, and you respond in your own words. Many people who struggle with written multiple-choice tests perform well in conversational evaluation. The hearing typically occurs 2-4 months after the third test.

When IRCC schedules your ceremony, you receive an invitation with:

• Date and time
• Format (online via Zoom/Teams, or in-person at a specific venue)
• Documents to bring (PR card, photo ID)
• Instructions for online setup (if applicable)

At the ceremony:

1. Identity verification
2. A citizenship judge gives a brief address
3. You recite the Oath of Citizenship
4. You receive (or are mailed) your Certificate of Canadian Citizenship

The moment you take the oath, you are legally a Canadian citizen.

Once you're a citizen:

• Apply for a Canadian passport — you can apply the same day using your citizenship certificate
• Register to vote — you're now eligible for federal and provincial elections
• Update your records — inform your bank, employer, province (driver's licence, health card), and federal agencies (CRA)
• Celebrate — the journey from application to citizen is long, and you made it

"Should I contact IRCC about my results?"

Only if it's been more than 3 weeks with no status change in your account. Before that, waiting is normal. Contact via the IRCC webform — not the phone line (which has extremely long wait times and limited information).

"Can I travel while waiting for results/oath?"

Yes — you're still a permanent resident. Your PR card or PRTD is valid for international travel. Just make sure your IRCC account email is up to date so you don't miss a ceremony invitation while abroad.

"What if I need to change my address before the oath?"

Update it immediately in your IRCC online account. Ceremony invitations go to the address on file. A missed invitation because of an outdated address can delay your ceremony by months.

"Can I start using my citizenship before the oath?"

No — you are not a citizen until you take the oath. The test is a requirement, not the conferral of citizenship. Until the oath, you remain a permanent resident with PR rights and limitations.

```

Test day → Results (1-14 days) → "Decision Made" (1-7 days after results)

→ Oath invitation (4-24 weeks) → Oath ceremony → Canadian citizen!

```

If everything moves quickly: 6-8 weeks from test to citizen.

If everything moves slowly (Toronto/Vancouver): 5-7 months from test to citizen.

Average: 3-4 months from test to citizen.

The test itself is the hard part — and you've already done it (or you're about to). Everything after is just waiting. Use the time to prepare your passport application so you're ready to submit the day of your oath.

Still preparing for the test? [Start with 20 free practice questions](https://citizenpass.ca/practice-test/free) — pass on your first attempt and minimize the waiting.