How does scoring work?
Home Affairs sets two conditions. You pass only if you meet both:
- Overall mark: at least 15 of the 20 questions correct, which is 75%.
- Australian values: all 5 values questions correct (100%).
The values questions are part of the 20, so they count towards your overall mark too. If you get all 5 right, you then need at least 10 of the other 15 questions correct.
What scores pass and fail?
| Overall score | Values questions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 20/20 | 5/5 | Pass |
| 15/20 | 5/5 | Pass: exactly the minimum |
| 19/20 | 4/5 | Fail: a values question was wrong |
| 16/20 | 4/5 | Fail: a values question was wrong |
| 14/20 | 5/5 | Fail: below 15/20 |
The third row is the one that surprises people: a score of 19 out of 20 is a fail if the single wrong answer was a values question.
Why do all five values questions have to be right?
Home Affairs says the test checks your understanding of, and commitment to, Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality. That part is not averaged with the rest: the rule is 5/5 (100%).
What happens after the test?
Follow the information Home Affairs gives you at or after your appointment about your result and next steps. Processing of your citizenship application continues, and the Department notifies applicants in writing when a decision is made.
If you do not pass, see what to do if you fail.
How can I practise against the real pass rule?
Every mock test on this site has 20 questions with exactly 5 on Australian values, and shows two results: your overall mark and your values mark. You only see “pass” when both rules are met.
Common questions
Is the pass mark 75% or 15 out of 20?
They are the same thing: 15 correct answers out of 20 is 75%.
Can I pass with 19 out of 20?
Only if the one question you got wrong was not an Australian values question. You must answer all five values questions correctly.
Do the values questions count towards the 15 out of 20?
Yes. Your overall mark is out of all 20 questions. If you get all 5 values questions right, you need at least 10 of the other 15 questions correct to reach 15.
Official sources
Independent study resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Australian Government.