Smart Tips To Get Ready For a Australian Citizenship Test

In order to become an Australian citizen, after meeting the criteria which are set out by the Australian Government, you’ll be required to pass the Australian Citizenship Test.

The Australian Citizenship Test consists of 20 multiple choice questions, 5 of which are questions about key Australian values. In order to pass, you’ll need to score at least 75% and must answer all 5 Australian values questions correctly.

To prepare yourself to take the Australian Citizenship Test, simply continue reading to discover a handy guide full of invaluable tips, which will increase your chances of passing your citizenship test.

Smart Tips To Get Ready For an Australian Citizenship Test:

Study the resource booklet carefully:

All of the information that you’ll need to memorize in order to pass your citizenship test can be found in the resource booklet, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. While you’ll have to take your citizenship test in English, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond is available in a wide variety of languages.

If English is not your first language, try reading it in your native language first to ensure that you have a solid understanding of the content, before reading it in English. It’s still important that you understand the content provided in English so that you’ll be able to understand the questions and answers in English, when you’re finally ready to take your citizenship test.

Focus all your energy on Book 1:

Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond actually features two books. However, you’ll only be tested on the information contained in Book 1. For this reason, there’s no need to memorize any of the facts which are presented in Book 2.

Listen to the Our Common Bond podcast:

The Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond booklet is also available in podcast form. It’s a wise idea to listen to it, when you’re commuting, traveling, exercising, cooking or relaxing, in order to reinforce the information that you have learned.

Study the Australian values section in-depth:

As mentioned above, you will need to answer all 5 Australian values questions correctly. Even if you get every other question right and answer one values-related question incorrectly, you will fail your citizenship test.

To pass this section remember that everyone in Australia including politicians is bound by the same laws. Every citizen over the age of 18 is allowed to vote as Australia is a democracy. Everyone in Australia has the right to practice free speech, without fear of retribution. Everyone has the right to associate with any group of their choosing and are also free to leave a group that they are associated with at any time. Australians have the right to choose a religion or to abstain from following a religion. All Australian citizens have equal rights and every Australian is entitled to equal opportunities.

Lastly, Australian citizens are required to treat each other with tolerance and respect, even if they disagree with each other’s point of view. Violence is never condoned in Australia.

Take an online practice test:

There are a few key reasons to take an online practice test. Firstly, it’s a smart idea to take an online practice test, if English isn’t your first language, as you’ll have to take your citizenship test in English. By taking an online practice test, you’ll be able to identify keywords and terms that you may not understand, which you’ll then be able to study. Remember that the official practice test uses the same format and wording as the actual Australian Citizenship Test.

The next reason to take an online Australian citizenship practice test is to discover gaps in your knowledge. As if you make mistakes in your practice test, you’ll be able to remember the correct answers, in the future. So if you come across the same questions that you initially got wrong in your practice test, in your official test, you’ll choose the correct answers.

If you get all of the questions in your online practice test, congratulations you are ready to book your first attempt at passing the Australian Citizenship Test.

Ask a staff member for help if you have computer-related problems:

If on the day of your test, you have trouble using the computer that you are assigned, don’t be afraid to ask a staff member for assistance.

If you have trouble reading English, opt to listen to the questions instead:

If you have the ability to listen and understand basic English but struggle to read English, you will have the option of listening to the questions and answers instead of reading them.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself:

In Australia, failing your citizenship test will not prevent you from living in Australia and there is no way that you can lose your permanent residency, as a result of failing a citizenship test. Keep in mind, that there is no limit when it comes to the number of times that you can take the Australian Citizenship Test.

Book another test if you fail your first test:

You may be unaware that there is no stand-down period and if you fail your citizenship test, you’ll have the opportunity to a second citizenship test on the same day. So if you fail your first test by a small margin, book another test, take a small break to take a few practice tests online and to read through Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond and you should be ready to retake your citizenship test. However, if you answered the majority of questions incorrectly, it may be worth retaking your test in a few weeks’ time. Give yourself ample time to study.

Make sure that your phone is turned off before you enter your test room:

Even if your phone is on silent, you can still get penalized for having your phone on, so it’s a great idea to double-check that your phone is switched off and placed inside a zipped-up compartment in a bag, before your test.

In conclusion:

If you follow all of the tips that are listed above, you should be able to pass your Australian Citizenship Test on your very first attempt, which will fulfill your requirements to become an Australian citizen.