Quebec Values Test Study Guide: How to Pass the Attestation in 2026

Every applicant for the Certificat de sélection du Québec must complete the Attestation of Learning about Democratic Values and Quebec Values. Every adult family member accompanying the principal applicant must also complete it. You have 60 days from receiving your Invitation to Apply to get this attestation. Fail three times, and MIFI rejects your CSQ application outright.

The test sounds simple — 20 multiple-choice questions on a government website — and most applicants treat it that way. Then they sit down, encounter scenarios about secularism and language rights that presuppose a specific ideological framework, and score lower than expected. This post explains what the test actually covers and how to prepare without wasting time.

Why This Test Exists

The Attestation was introduced in 2020 under Bill 9, the Act to Increase Québec's Socio-Economic Prosperity and Address Adequately the Labour Needs of Québec by Streamlining the Regulation of Temporary Foreign Nationals. Its purpose, stated plainly, is to ensure that immigrants to Quebec understand and accept the province's particular version of democratic society — which differs in meaningful ways from the rest of Canada.

Quebec's social model emphasizes: the primacy of the French language, strict secularism (laïcité) in public institutions, and gender equality as a legal and social norm. The test is not about knowledge of Quebec history or geography. It's about accepting these principles as given.

The Five Pillars Tested

Questions are drawn from five thematic areas:

1. A Francophone Society French is the only official language of Quebec and the primary vehicle of public life, culture, and integration. Immigrants are expected to adopt French as their language of integration. The correct answer to any question about official language status in Quebec is "French" — not bilingual, not English, not "French and English."

2. A Democratic Society Questions cover the rule of law, separation of powers, and the rights of citizens to participate in political and civic life. Standard democratic theory applies here.

3. Equality Between Women and Men This is one of the most common sources of incorrect answers for applicants from countries with different gender norms. Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms treats gender equality as absolute and non-negotiable. Scenarios that present situations where a woman could be treated differently than a man — in employment, marriage, family law, or professional life — are answered with "no discrimination is permissible." There are no cultural or religious exceptions to this principle in Quebec public and professional life.

4. Rights and Responsibilities Covers freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of religion (private practice), and the prohibition of discrimination based on protected characteristics. The Quebec Charter protects individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, and services.

5. A Secular Society (Laïcité) This is where applicants most commonly encounter surprises. Bill 21 — the Act Respecting the Laicity of the State — prohibits certain public officials from wearing religious symbols while on duty. This applies to police officers, judges, Crown prosecutors, prison guards, teachers in public schools, and other roles involving the exercise of state authority. The law is controversial nationally, but in the context of this test, it is presented as a feature, not a bug. Questions about whether a police officer can wear a hijab or kippah while on duty have a specific correct answer: no.

The Test Mechanics

• Format: 20 randomly selected multiple-choice questions from a question bank
• Passing score: 75% (15 out of 20)
• Time limit: No stated time limit per question
• Attempts: 3 maximum
• Window: Must be completed within 60 days of receiving the Invitation to Apply
• Failure consequences: Three failures = immediate rejection of CSQ application
• Exception: If you fail twice and are physically in Quebec, you may attend a day-long "Objectif Intégration" information session in lieu of a third test attempt

If you're applying from outside Quebec and fail twice, the third-attempt alternative (in-person session) requires you to travel to Quebec. This is a hidden cost that can run into thousands of dollars for airfare and accommodation.

Sample Question Types

Questions typically present practical scenarios. Examples of the type of reasoning they require:

"A Quebec employer refuses to consider a job application from a woman because she has young children. Is this acceptable under Quebec law?" Answer: No. Refusal based on family status or gender is discrimination prohibited by the Quebec Charter.

"In Quebec, can a judge wear a religious head covering while presiding over a court case?" Answer: No. Bill 21 prohibits judges from wearing religious symbols while exercising their functions.

"Two people of the same sex wish to marry in Quebec. Is this possible?" Answer: Yes. Quebec law recognizes marriage between any two adults regardless of sex.

"What is the official language of Quebec?" Answer: French (not "French and English," not "bilingual").

The pattern: when in doubt, the answer that reflects absolute equality, French primacy, and secular public institutions is almost always correct.

Study Resources

MIFI publishes the official preparation guide for the values test: "Democratic Values and Québec Values as Expressed in the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms." This document is available free on the Quebec government website in multiple languages. It covers all five thematic areas with explanations and is the primary source material for the test questions.

Reading the official guide once carefully is sufficient for most applicants from Western or liberal democratic backgrounds. For applicants from countries with stronger traditions of state religion or different gender norms, reading it twice — and specifically reflecting on how Quebec's position differs from your home country — is worthwhile.

The test is in the language of your application (French or English). If your application is in French, the test is in French. Factor this into your French study timeline: you need to be able to read and understand the questions accurately, not just pass the general French proficiency test.

Don't Underestimate the 60-Day Clock

The 60 days start the moment your Invitation to Apply is issued — not when you read the email, not when you log into the portal. The clock is running immediately.

Many applicants focus entirely on document gathering after receiving their invitation and treat the values test as something they'll "do quickly at the end." Then they fail the first attempt because they walked in unprepared, fail the second attempt because they still haven't studied properly, and suddenly face a third attempt as their only remaining chance at the CSQ.

Take the test seriously. Read the official guide before your Invitation to Apply, not after. The 2–3 hours of preparation time is negligible compared to the months of work that led to the invitation.

The Canada Quebec Immigration (CSQ) Guide includes a values test preparation section covering all five thematic areas, a review of the most common incorrect-answer traps, and a suggested timeline for completing the attestation within the 60-day window alongside your document preparation.

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