Being invited for the Canadian citizenship test is one big step closer to most immigrants’ goals. Every week, over 5,000 applicants are invited by the IRCC to complete the test. Given the significance of the test for citizenship in Canada, thorough preparation is a prerequisite for success.
One way of making sure you’re prepared well enough for the test is by taking advantage of sites like Citizenship Canadian. These sites feature all the resources and tools required to breeze through the citizenship test.
Applicants must dedicate time and effort to prepare for the citizenship test by reinforcing their knowledge of Canada. The purpose of this test is to ensure that new citizens possess the necessary understanding of Canada. By so doing, they can fully participate in the social, economic, and cultural life of the country.
Here are five tips to help you ace the Canadian citizenship test.
Read the Study Guide
The first step towards any preparation for the citizenship test is to read through the study guide, “Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship.” This is the official study guide provided by the Canadian Government for an overview of topics that will be covered on the test. These topics include:
- Canada’s history
- Canada’s geography
- Canada’s political system
- Canada’s cultural diversity
This handbook is available in various formats (PDF, e-book, and audio) for free on the official website.
Take Practice Tests
There are a lot of resources online that offer Canadian citizenship practice tests to help you prepare for the main citizenship test. Even though they are not official questions, they can help you practice answering multiple-choice questions. This way, you get a feel for the actual exam and the types of questions to expect.
You should attempt to answer as many questions as possible before taking the actual test. The more you practice, the better equipped you are to handle the real exam.
Signup for a Class
If you have the time and money, it will be helpful to sign up for a class. Several centres offer free classes. This way, the information you come across in books will be easier to understand. You also get to ask questions and discuss points with your coach, instructor, or even your classmates.
Improve your Language Skills
In addition to testing your knowledge of Canadian values, the interviewer will assess your communication and language skills. According to the IRCC, this is an essential skill for participating in Canadian society. Applicants for Canadian citizenship are expected to demonstrate proficiency in either of two of Canada’s official languages, English or French.
There are various language courses and resources out there that are designed to help improve your English or French skills. The Government of Canada also offers Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes to those eligible for permanent residency.
Learn to Relax
It is important to be well-rested and relaxed when taking your test. Stress has a way of clouding your thinking abilities. This will negatively impact your test performance.
It is common to be anxious during an examination. However, some techniques can help you minimize this anxiety. Generally, being well-prepared for the test helps with anxiety. Some recommendations that can also help achieve relaxation include:
- Get a good night’s sleep before the test day
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Arrive early on test day
- Maintain a positive mindset during the test
