NZ Citizenship Test Attempts

Up to 6 attempts in total. 3 initial tries, then a 30-working-day wait, then 3 more. 75% to pass. Here's what DIA has confirmed and what's still to be announced.

The short answer

Most applicants get up to 6 attempts in total to pass the new NZ citizenship test launching in late 2027. You get 3 attempts initially. If you do not pass within those three, you wait 30 working days, then get 3 more attempts. The pass mark is 75% — 15 out of 20 questions correct. After 6 unsuccessful attempts, you can withdraw your application for a partial refund.

3

initial attempts

30 days

working-day wait between blocks

+3 more

attempts after the wait

6 total

maximum tries, then withdrawal

Practise so you pass on your first attempt

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How attempts work, step by step

  1. 1. Submit your citizenship application and pay the application fee

    Your application fee covers the underlying citizenship-by-grant process. The test itself is expected to have a separate per-attempt fee on top, though the amount has not been confirmed.

  2. 2. Attempts 1, 2 and 3 — your first block

    You sit the test at an approved DIA location. Each attempt is 20 multiple-choice questions and you need 15 correct (75%) to pass. If you fail, you can book another attempt — there is no waiting period within the first block of three.

  3. 3. The 30-working-day wait

    If you have used all 3 initial attempts without passing, you must wait 30 working days before you can sit the test again. DIA's stated purpose is to give you time to study. Working days exclude weekends and NZ public holidays, so this is roughly six calendar weeks.

  4. 4. Attempts 4, 5 and 6 — your second block

    After the wait, you get up to 3 more attempts under the same rules.

  5. 5. After 6 unsuccessful attempts

    DIA has confirmed that one option at this point is to withdraw your application and receive a partial refund of the application fee. You can also wait, study further, and apply again later. The exact refund formula has not been published.

What's officially confirmed

On 6 May 2026 the New Zealand Government confirmed the design of the new citizenship test. The points below are sourced from the official Beehive press release, the citizenship test page on govt.nz, and supporting Cabinet documents.

  • 20 multiple-choice questions, in English, sat in person at an approved DIA location.
  • 15 out of 20 (75%) needed to pass.
  • Up to 6 attempts in total.
  • 3 attempts in your first block, then a 30-working-day wait, then up to 3 more.
  • Withdrawal with a partial refund is one of the options after 6 unsuccessful attempts.
  • Applies from late 2027. Exact launch date not yet published.
  • The test only applies to citizenship by grant. Children under 16, applicants 65+, and people on certain exemptions do not sit it.
Beehive — Test to strengthen citizenship by grant process →
govt.nz — Citizenship test overview →

What's not yet confirmed

DIA has announced the design of the test, but several details that matter for planning have not yet been published. We will update this page as DIA publishes them.

  • The exact per-attempt fee amount. Whether it is the same as the application fee or different is not known.
  • Test locations. DIA has said the test will be available across NZ, but specific testing centres have not been listed.
  • The exact 'partial refund' formula after 6 unsuccessful attempts.
  • Rebook windows within an attempt block. There is no 30-day wait inside a block, but the minimum gap between consecutive attempts (e.g. 1 day, 1 week) has not been published.
  • Transitional rules for applications submitted before the test launches but decided after.
  • The official study material — DIA has said it will release study guides and sample questions before the test starts. None have been published yet.

Frequently asked questions about attempts

How many attempts do I get at the NZ citizenship test?

Up to 6 attempts in total. You get 3 initial attempts. If you do not pass within those, you wait 30 working days, then have up to 3 more attempts. After 6 unsuccessful attempts, options include withdrawing your application for a partial refund.

What is the pass mark for the NZ citizenship test?

75 percent — at least 15 of the 20 questions correct. The test is multiple-choice and in English. Each attempt is a fresh set of 20 questions.

What happens if I fail my first attempt?

You can book another attempt fairly soon. You only enter the 30-working-day waiting period after you have used all 3 of your initial attempts unsuccessfully. DIA has not published the exact rebook window between attempts within a block, only that you do not have to wait between attempts within a block.

What happens after 6 unsuccessful attempts?

DIA's announced rules say one option is to withdraw your application and receive a partial refund of your application fee. You can also wait, study further, and reapply at a later date. The exact 'partial refund' formula has not been published.

Is there a fee for each attempt?

DIA has indicated there will probably be a fee for each attempt, separate from the existing citizenship application fee (NZ$560 for adults as of mid-2026). The exact per-attempt fee amount has not been announced.

Will failing the test affect my visa or residence status?

No. The citizenship test only affects the citizenship-by-grant application. Failing the test does not affect your residence visa, your right to live in New Zealand, or any work or study entitlements you already hold.

Are the practice attempts on this site counted toward the 6 official tries?

No. Practice on this site is unlimited and entirely separate from the official DIA test. The 6-attempt limit only applies to the real, in-person test at an approved DIA location once it launches in late 2027.

If I withdraw, can I reapply later?

Yes — withdrawal is not a ban. You can apply for citizenship by grant again in the future, including sitting the test again. Each new application starts a fresh attempt count, but you will need to pay the application fee again. The exact reapplication rules under the new test regime have not been finalised.

Related pages on this site

Page content last verified 2026-05-13. Independent of DIA. We re-verify and update this page as the Department of Internal Affairs publishes new details — see our public changelog .