Is the Australian Citizenship Test Difficult?

The Australian citizenship test is one of the easiest citizenship tests in the whole world. If you have prepared reasonably, you can pass it on the first attempt. Still, up to 4% of all test-takers fail it in a year. Unlike the driver knowledge test in Australia that you can take as many times as you need to pass, you can only attempt this test three times with a citizenship application. A third failed attempt will result in a decline of your citizenship application. Consequently, you would want to pass it the first time to speed up the naturalization process.
Here are the factors that make the Australian Citizenship Test difficult.

You May Have Less Time to Prepare

The Australian citizenship test is a part of the complete naturalization process and the immigration agency decides the test time and venue. Although you are allowed to reschedule the test if the date is not convenient for you, if you choose to go with the agency’s date, you may find that you don’t have enough time to prepare.
You can counter this problem by starting your preparation early without waiting for the appointment details.

The Test Requires Computer Proficiency

This test is conducted on a computer or a tablet device. If you don’t usually use a computer, you may find the interface intimidating, resulting in increased stress levels. Counter this issue by practicing the mock tests on your phone or a computer.

It is Conducted in English

If English is not your first language, you may not feel confident attempting the test. You might fear that you wouldn’t comprehend the questions even after they are read out to you. If you have studied the booklet – Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond in a language other than English, attempting will become even more difficult for you. You might not recognize the concepts being questioned only because the language and terms to present them are changed.
One way to counter this problem is to work on your English speaking, reading, and comprehension skills. Also, study the booklet in English. You should start working on citizenship test practice even before applying for citizenship. To add more credibility to your comprehension of the test material, you need to practice the mock Australian citizenship tests. Cross-check your answers with correct ones to understand if those wrong answers were arising out of knowledge discrepancy or comprehension issues.

You Need to Correctly Answer Questions in the Values Section

The immigration authority in Australia immensely emphasizes that candidates understand and commit to Australian values based on liberty, equality, and respect. The Department assesses candidates’ knowledge and understanding of this area through the values section of the test. A single incorrect answer in this section of the test can earn you a fail.
To overcome this difficulty, you need to thoroughly study and revise the values section of the given booklet. When taking revision tests, make sure to pay particular attention to the values section, take note of all mistakes you make while attempting these tests, and revise the correct answers until the test day.

Take Away

The Australian citizenship test isn’t difficult but certain features make it problematic for some people. These qualities include time available for preparation, computer literacy, and English proficiency of the test-takers.