Booking for an Australian Citizenship Test

Booking for an Australian Citizenship Test nowadays is a headache. I tried to book my wife for a test last week but the gentleman at the other end told me that there was no slot available and I have to call this week. Today (01 June 2009), I called the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) hotline 131880 and the lady at the other end told me the same thing - there is no slot available and she told me to call another day. I asked her "what day" and she answered she does not know. I told her if she does not know the specific date to call her that it means I have to call the Department everyday? "If you have to", she answered. Of course, I have to. How can I have an appointment for my wife's test if I will not call? And if you do call everyday, there is no guarantee that you can get a booking or if it is ever available. This means that you have to pay the telephone company whenever you call DIAC for something that you or them are not sure of. It is a "hit or miss" scenario where the only winner is the telephone company. To make the matter worst, DIAC can never tell you when and how any slot will be ever available.

I do not really know the real reason why the DIAC is doing this. They can't tell when you can make the booking. They won't take your name for future booking. So what's the use of reading the book "Becoming an Australian citizenship" when you would not know when you are going to take the test? Should you read it everyday? How can you prepare for the test?

If the lack of computers or staff is the problem, why can't DIAC give a "paper-based test?" This is more economocal because a lot of people can take the test with minimum staff. To minimise telephone cost, can aspiring test taker just leave their details and availability on DIAC's website? It is like booking for a flight where one can see the available dates and locations of the test and if situation arises, one can easily cancel and rebook. Something has to be done!

I'VE MADE IT

Well, the Australian Citizenship Test for me is over. I took it yesterday and passed, with 1 mistake out of 20 questions or 95%.The thing is the one that I answered incorrectly haunts me. I could make a 100%.

My advice to those who will sit the test, read the first 7 pages. 30% of the test will come from the priviliges, responsibilities and values of Australian citizenships. I cannot reveal you the questions. I have done my part of reading the book and I wish you do the same. Good Luck!

Australian Citizenship Test

To be granted Australian citizenship by conferral, permanent residents of Australia should pass the Citizenship Test formulated by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. It is a 45 minutes computer generated test consisting of 20 multiple choice questionsThe applicant must correctly answer 60% of the questions INCLUDING answering 3 questions on the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship correctly. Does it mean YOU FAILED if you correctly answer 19 of the 20 questions and the incorrect happens to be 1 of the 3 questions about responsibilities and privileges? It could be. But I guess that DIAC will give more than 3 questions about responsibilities and privileges. If not, the test is INSANE.

I prepared a practice test for the Australian Citizenship test. The format is different from the actual test given by DIAC because I am not a programmer to simulate their test. This test serves as a review for those preparing for the test. The test is halfway finished but I am committed to make it through.

I have not yer taken the citizenship test because I am still not eligible to take it because I still lack the required residency. I am just wondering if I can take the test now and apply for citizenship later. I do not know also whether the result of the test has expiration date.