A PAL practice test is the fastest way to find out whether you are ready for the written part of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). The mock exams on this page follow the official course topics, use the 80% pass mark that delivery agents apply, and give you a score and an explanation the moment you finish. If you want the format details first, read how many questions are on the PAL test. If you are worried about difficulty, read is the PAL test hard and come back.
A quick note on the name: PAL here means the firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence. It has nothing to do with the Provincial Attestation Letter used for study permits.
Canada Licence Prep is an independent study aid. We are not the RCMP and not a course provider. What we do is give you realistic practice built from the rules in the Firearms Act, the Criminal Code and the storage regulations, so that the questions on test day feel familiar.
What the real CFSC written test looks like
Before you practise, it helps to know what you are practising for. The CFSC ends with two tests: a written test and a practical handling test. Both are set and marked by an instructor designated by your province's Chief Firearms Officer (CFO). The RCMP describes the course and lists its topics on its safety courses page, but it does not publish the number of questions or a time limit.
| Item | What we know (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Firearms Act s.7: pass the CFSC tests to be eligible for a non-restricted licence |
| Tests | One written test and one practical handling test, no live fire |
| Pass mark | 80% on each test, as stated by CFO delivery agents (not printed on rcmp.ca) |
| Number of written questions | Not published by the RCMP. Many instructors use about 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions |
| Time limit | Not published nationally; set by the instructor or delivery agent |
| Minimum age | 12 to take the tests |
| Challenge test | Not available to new applicants since 2015; you must take the course |
| Language | English or French |
Key fact: The two tests are marked separately. A perfect written score does not make up for an unsafe practical, and the reverse is also true.
Why the format varies
The CFSC is a national curriculum, but delivery is provincial. In Ontario the course is delivered through the Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario (FSESO); in Alberta, delivery moved to the Sherwood Park Fish & Game Association on 1 September 2026. Each delivery agent can set its own paper length, time and retest rule. That is why you see "50 questions" on most course sites but no official confirmation. Ask your instructor what their paper looks like, and treat our 50-question mock as a fair stand-in.
PAL test topics and how much each one counts
The RCMP lists the official CFSC topics. We weight our mock exams so that the topics that generate the most questions in the course, especially storage, transport and the law, get the most space. The weights below are our blueprint, not an official breakdown, but they reflect where candidates lose marks.
| Topic | Share of our mock | About how many of 50 | Drill it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe storage, display and transport | 18% | 9 | Topic drill |
| Legal responsibilities (licences, Criminal Code) | 15% | 7–8 | Topic drill |
| Basic safety: ACTS and PROVE | 12% | 6 | Topic drill |
| Operating firearm actions | 12% | 6 | Topic drill |
| Safe handling and carry | 12% | 6 | Topic drill |
| Ammunition | 9% | 4–5 | Topic drill |
| Evolution, parts and classes | 6% | 3 | Topic drill |
| Firing techniques | 6% | 3 | Topic drill |
| Social responsibilities | 6% | 3 | Topic drill |
| Care of firearms | 5% | 2–3 | Topic drill |
Notice what the table tells you: storage, transport and the law together make up about a third of the paper. These are also the questions with the most precise wording. If you only have one evening, spend it there.
How our CFSC mock exams mirror the test
Each full mock is built to feel like a real written paper, not a casual quiz.
- 50 questions, 60 minutes. Long enough to test stamina, short enough that you have to keep moving.
- 40 correct to pass. That is the 80% mark. The results screen shows your score against it.
- Four answer options per question. The real test mixes multiple choice and true/false; four options make it harder to pass by guessing.
- 40 knowledge questions and 10 situation questions. Situation questions describe a scene, such as a hunter at a fence, a car parked at a restaurant or a friend handing you a rifle, and ask what the safe or legal action is. They are the closest thing to how instructors test judgement.
- Drawn from a bank of 1,478 CFSC questions. Ten different mocks means you are not memorising one paper.
- An explanation for every answer. Each one says why the right answer is right and, where it matters, which rule or regulation it comes from.
Mock 1 is free. So is the 20-question diagnostic and a 25-question quick practice. Mocks 2 to 10, practice by topic and the full study notes are part of Pro.
How to use the PAL practice test: diagnostic, topics, mocks
Taking mock after mock without a plan is the slowest way to improve. Use this order instead.
- Take the free diagnostic cold. 20 questions, 15 minutes, before you read anything. It tells you which topics you already know from the course and which ones you only think you know.
- Read the notes for your two weakest topics. Start with the free ACTS and PROVE note and the CFSC exam guide. Then move to the notes for whichever topics scored lowest, such as storage, display and transport.
- Drill those topics. Use practice by topic until you score above 85% in each one. Short sessions of 15 to 20 questions work better than one long sitting.
- Sit free mock 1 under time. Phone away, 60 minutes, no notes. This is your baseline.
- Review every wrong answer. Read the explanation, then find the rule in the note. Write down the exact word you missed: "opaque", "attended", "unloaded", "reference number".
- Repeat drills on what you missed, then take the next mock. Keep going until you are ready by the standard in the next section.
Exam tip: Do the diagnostic before the course if you can, and again after. The difference shows you how much the course itself taught you and where you still need work.
Scoring and readiness
An 80% pass mark sounds comfortable until you do the arithmetic. On 50 questions you can miss 10. Most people who fail do not miss them evenly; they lose five or six on storage and transport alone and then a few careless ones elsewhere.
What score means you are ready
Use this rule of thumb before you book or sit the test:
| Your recent mock scores | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Below 75% (fewer than 38) | Gaps in several topics | Go back to the diagnostic results and drill topic by topic |
| 75–84% (38–42) | Borderline; one bad day could fail you | Fix your weakest two topics, then retake |
| 85–89% (43–44) | Likely to pass | Review wrong answers and sit one or two more mocks |
| 90% or more (45+) three times in a row | Ready | Switch to the practical: actions and PROVE |
The reason for the "three times in a row" rule is that one good score can be luck, especially if some questions repeat. Three different mocks above 90% means you know the material.
Read your topic scores, not just the total
The results screen breaks your score down by topic. A total of 86% with 5 out of 9 on storage is a warning: on the real paper a few more storage questions could drag you under 80%. Fix the topic, not the total.
Key facts by topic
These are the facts that come up most in CFSC questions. They are a summary, not a substitute for the course handbook or our full notes.
Basic safety: ACTS and PROVE
- ACTS: Assume every firearm is loaded. Control the muzzle direction at all times. Trigger finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard. See that the firearm is unloaded: PROVE it safe.
- PROVE: Point the firearm in the safest available direction. Remove all ammunition. Observe the chamber. Verify the feeding path. Examine the bore for obstructions.
- Pass or accept a firearm only with the action open and unloaded.
- The safest direction is not always down. Think about ricochet on concrete and people on the floor below.
Our ACTS and PROVE explained page covers these in more depth.
Operating actions
- The five main long-gun actions are bolt, lever, pump, break (hinge) and semi-automatic.
- A semi-automatic fires one cartridge per trigger pull and reloads itself. An automatic fires continuously and is prohibited.
- When unloading, remove the magazine first, then clear the chamber. Cycling the action with a loaded magazine attached just chambers another round.
- On many cross-bolt safeties, a red band showing means the safety is off. Markings vary, so check the manual.
Ammunition
- Calibre describes rifle and handgun bores; gauge describes shotguns. The smaller the gauge number, the larger the bore, so a 12 gauge is larger than a 20 gauge.
- Use only ammunition that matches the data stamp on the barrel. No data stamp means do not fire it.
- After a misfire, keep the muzzle pointed safely and wait at least 60 seconds in case it is a hangfire.
Safe handling and carry
- The two-hand (ready) carry gives the best muzzle control. The shoulder carry gives the least.
- Unload before crossing a fence, climbing or getting into a vehicle or boat.
- You may load a firearm only where it may lawfully be discharged.
Storage, display and transport
The rules come from the storage regulations, SOR/98-209. For non-restricted firearms:
- Storage: unloaded, plus one of a secure locking device, the bolt removed, or a locked container or room that cannot readily be broken into. Ammunition may be stored with it only in a securely locked container.
- Display: unloaded, with a locking device or in a locked container, and not with ammunition that fits it.
- Transport: unloaded. In an unattended vehicle, in the locked trunk; if there is no trunk, out of sight inside the locked vehicle.
Key fact: "Unattended" means no one 18 or older, or no licence holder, is directly supervising the vehicle. Questions often hinge on that one definition.
Legal responsibilities
- A PAL is valid for 5 years. First-time applicants wait at least 28 days before a licence can be issued.
- Report a change of address to the CFO within 30 days.
- Before transferring a non-restricted firearm, the seller must get a reference number from the Registrar confirming the buyer's licence.
- Pointing a firearm at someone, loaded or not, without lawful excuse is an offence under Criminal Code s.87.
- You must report a lost, stolen or found firearm to a peace officer, firearms officer or CFO with reasonable despatch.
Evolution, classes, firing and care
- The three legal classes are non-restricted, restricted and prohibited. Classification follows the law and regulations, not the look of the firearm. The RCMP keeps a page on classes of firearms.
- Prone is the most stable shooting position; standing is the least.
- Always PROVE a firearm unloaded and remove ammunition from the area before cleaning.
- There is no time when an owner stops being responsible for a firearm.
What a written practice test cannot do
No website can test your hands. The practical exam checks that you apply ACTS and PROVE every time you pick up, pass or put down a firearm, that you can load and unload the common actions with dummy ammunition, and that you keep the muzzle in a safe direction throughout. One careless muzzle sweep can cost you that test.
Use our practice to master the knowledge, and then use your course time to handle as many actions as you can. Our PAL practical test guide walks through what instructors look for.
After you pass: applying for your PAL
Once you pass both tests, your instructor gives you a signed course report. Keep it: it is your proof of passing. Then:
- Apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence using RCMP form 5592, with a photo, a guarantor and references. The RCMP explains the process on its apply for a firearms licence page.
- Pay the fee. As of October 2026 it is $70.38 for a non-restricted licence and $93.84 if you also passed the CRFSC, according to the RCMP service fees page. Fees are indexed every year on 31 March.
- Wait at least 28 days. Many applications take longer.
Our step-by-step guide to how to get a PAL in Canada covers references, partner notification and processing times. If you are thinking about handguns or other restricted firearms, compare PAL vs RPAL and try the RPAL practice test.
PAL practice test free vs Pro
Everything you need to test yourself once is free: the diagnostic, mock 1 and quick practice, plus the sample questions at the end of this page and a printable PDF version. Pro (CA$7.99 a week, CA$12.99 a month or CA$24.99 for three months, cancel anytime) adds mocks 2 to 10, practice by topic and every study note, for all nine tests on the site. The mobile app has the same content, with audio and French explanations.
Pro is not required to pass. It simply gives you more fresh papers, which matters once you have seen mock 1 and need an honest second and third score.
Your study plan
- Today: take the free 20-question diagnostic and note your two lowest topics.
- Read the ACTS and PROVE note and the note for your weakest topic.
- Drill that topic until you score above 85%.
- Sit free mock 1 under a 60-minute timer.
- Review every wrong answer, then repeat drills and mocks until you score 90% or more three times in a row.
- Browse the PAL test questions and answers by topic for extra review, and practise the actions in person before your practical.
10 free PAL (CFSC) practice questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. For a timed experience use the free mock exam.
1. What do the 'shell stops' (shell latches) in a pump shotgun do?
- A. Hold the barrel firmly onto the receiver
- B. Stop the fore-end from sliding at all
- C. Hold shells in the tube until one is fed
- D. Stop the shot pattern from spreading
Show answer
C. Hold shells in the tube until one is fed
Shell stops keep shells in the tube until the action releases one onto the carrier. Pressing them is also one way to unload the magazine (CFSC Handbook, Module 6).
2. When deciding eligibility, which past court order involving an intimate partner must a CFO take into account?
- A. A parking ban at a condominium
- B. A family court order on child support
- C. A firearms ban after violence to a partner
- D. A civil judgment for unpaid rent
Show answer
C. A firearms ban after violence to a partner
Firearms Act s.5(2)(e) directs the CFO to consider whether, in respect of an offence involving violence against an intimate or former intimate partner, the person was previously prohibited by a prohibition order from possessing firearms and other weapons.
3. A cartridge is described as '6.5 mm'. What does the number refer to?
- A. The barrel length in inches
- B. The case length in centimetres
- C. The rough bullet diameter in millimetres
- D. The number of cartridges per box
Show answer
C. The rough bullet diameter in millimetres
Metric calibres give the approximate bullet or bore diameter in millimetres. Case length, capacity and barrel length are other measurements.
4. When firing a shotgun, where should your body weight be?
- A. On the back leg
- B. On the leading leg
- C. Evenly on the heels
- D. On the toes of the back foot
Show answer
B. On the leading leg
When firing a shotgun, shift your body weight to the leading leg, with the leading hand on the fore-stock pointing naturally at the target.
5. For a right-handed shooter in the standing position, how is the body placed?
- A. About 45° to the right of the target
- B. Square to the target
- C. Back to the target
- D. About 90° to the left of the target
Show answer
A. About 45° to the right of the target
In the standing position, a right-handed shooter turns about 45° to the right of the target with the feet about shoulder-width apart.
6. You are hunting alone and come to a barbed-wire fence. What is the safest way to cross?
- A. Unload, slide it under the fence, cross away from the muzzle
- B. Climb over holding the loaded rifle
- C. Lean the loaded rifle on the fence and climb
- D. Cross with the safety on and finger outside the guard
Show answer
A. Unload, slide it under the fence, cross away from the muzzle
Unload the firearm and PROVE it, place it on the far side or slide it under the fence with the muzzle pointed away from where you will cross, cross at a different spot, then pick it up by the stock and check the bore before reloading.
7. You sell your non-restricted rifle to a licensed buyer who lives in another province. What is required?
- A. A registration certificate
- B. The buyer's licence and a valid reference number
- C. Nothing extra; out-of-province sales are unregulated
- D. A permit from both provinces
Show answer
B. The buyer's licence and a valid reference number
Firearms Act s.23 applies to any non-restricted transfer in Canada: the buyer must hold a licence to acquire it and you must obtain a valid reference number from the Registrar. Licences are valid throughout Canada (s.63). Shipping must follow SOR/98-209.
8. When may you load one barrel of a double-barrelled percussion shotgun?
- A. Only with both hammers cocked
- B. Only after the other barrel's cap is off
- C. Only after firing both barrels
- D. Any time, if the muzzle is up
Show answer
B. Only after the other barrel's cap is off
Do not load one barrel of a double-barrelled muzzleloading shotgun unless the percussion cap on the other barrel's nipple has been removed.
9. Why should you never shoot at flat, hard surfaces or at water?
- A. The noise is much louder
- B. It damages the barrel's rifling
- C. Bullets can ricochet unpredictably
- D. It is only a problem with shotguns
Show answer
C. Bullets can ricochet unpredictably
Projectiles striking water, rock or other flat, hard surfaces can glance off (ricochet) at unpredictable angles and carry dangerous energy a long way. The CFSC teaches choosing targets with a safe backstop that will stop projectiles.
10. What is the 'hammer' on a firearm?
- A. The part that strikes the firing pin or primer
- B. The sling attachment at the butt
- C. The part used to clean the bore
- D. The part that holds the magazine
Show answer
A. The part that strikes the firing pin or primer
The hammer is a spring-powered part that, when released by the trigger, strikes the firing pin (or directly the primer in some designs) to fire the cartridge. It may be exposed or internal.
Frequently asked questions
+Is this PAL practice test the same as the real exam?
No. The real CFSC written test is set and marked by your CFO-designated instructor, and its exact questions are not public. Our mocks follow the official course topics, use the same 80% pass mark and a similar length, so they show you whether you know the material well enough.
+Can I take the PAL test online?
You can study and practise online, but the CFSC tests themselves are taken with a designated instructor. The practical handling test is always in person because you have to load, unload and prove real training firearms in front of the examiner.
+How many questions do I need to get right on the PAL test?
Delivery agents require 80% on the written test. On a 50-question paper that means 40 correct answers, so you can miss no more than 10. Ask your instructor how many questions their paper has, because the RCMP does not publish a fixed number.
+Is the CFSC practice test free?
Yes. The 20-question diagnostic, full mock exam 1 and a 25-question quick practice are free for everyone. Pro adds mocks 2 to 10, practice by topic and all study notes.
+Is the PAL test different in Ontario, BC or Alberta?
The CFSC is a national course, so the topics and the safety rules are the same across Canada. Course fees, attendance rules, retest policies and who delivers the course vary by province. Check with your provincial Chief Firearms Officer or delivery agent.
+How long should I study before the PAL test?
Most people who already took the course need about a week of short daily sessions. If you have never handled a firearm, give yourself longer and spend extra time on actions and the storage and transport rules.
+Do I need to pass the PAL test to buy ammunition?
You need a valid firearms licence to buy ammunition in Canada, and you cannot get a first PAL without passing the CFSC tests. So in practice, yes: passing the course is the first step.
+Is this site run by the RCMP?
No. Canada Licence Prep is an independent study aid. It is not official and not affiliated with the RCMP, any Chief Firearms Officer or any course provider. Always check the rules against rcmp.ca and your instructor.
Study offline on your phone too
The Canada Licence Prep app has the same questions with audio, French explanations and an ACTS & PROVE coach.
Keep reading
- PAL Test Questions and Answers50 CFSC exam questions with answers, grouped by topic: ACTS & PROVE, actions, ammunition, storage, transport and the law. Free printable PDF version.
- How Many Questions Are on the PAL Test?The CFSC written test is reported at about 50 questions with an 80% pass mark, plus a practical test. Format, timing, fees and what each part covers.
- Is the PAL Test Hard?No official PAL pass rate is published, but storage, transport and the practical trip people up. The hardest topics, common mistakes and a 7-day plan.
- ACTS and PROVE ExplainedWhat ACTS and PROVE stand for, how to apply them to every action on the CFSC practical, the errors that cost marks, and a printable summary.
- Free RPAL Practice Test (CRFSC)Practise for the restricted (CRFSC) exam with timed 50-question RPAL mocks, handgun and storage questions, and clear explanations for every answer.
- How to Get Your PAL in CanadaThe 5 steps to a Canadian firearms licence: course, exams, RCMP 5592 application, references, and wait times. Includes RPAL and minors.