Citizenship Test and Interview
Dreaming to become a citizen of USA is easy, but to make it a reality is indeed an arduous task. The prestigious and most coveted citizenship status of the United States is not bestowed by just completing all the required formalities. The applicant has to clear the citizenship test and Interview to finally become eligible for the citizenship. United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) requires all applicants to take the citizenship test.
The applicant has to file Form N-400, (Application for Naturalization) first, after which he/she will be instructed to appear for an interview, at the designated time and date, at the local Application Support Centre. At the interview, the applicant will have to answer questions regarding his background and application. Then they will be asked to take the citizenship test. The test is generally based on the ability of reading, writing and speaking English. It also tests the applicant's knowledge about the US government and its unique history.
How Did the Citizenship Test Come Into Effect?
This test was framed on the basis of Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The citizenship test was modified to achieve a uniform testing experience for all the applicants. The new test emphasized on the founding principles of American democracy and the importance of rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
The new test came into effect on October 1, 2008. The applicants who had filed for naturalization before this date had the choice of taking either the old or the new test. The new test was made mandatory for all applicants since October 1, 2009.
What is the Citizenship Test?
One of the primary requirements for obtaining US citizenship through naturalization is to take the citizenship test. This is to demonstrate the applicant's ability to read, write, and speak basic English and also their knowledge of US Civics. The applicant
- Must read one out of three sentences correctly in English
- Must write one out of three sentences correctly in English
- Must answer 6 out of 10 civics questions correctly in order to pass the test
The fluency of the applicant in English is determined during the interview. This test is mandatory unless otherwise the applicants qualify for an exemption or waiver.
Preparing for the Citizenship Test
The applicants can avail the help of study materials that are available in plenty to prepare for the citizenship test. As there are 100 civics questions in the test, in which the applicant is required to answer at least 6 out of 10 correctly, the study materials will help them to get sufficient knowledge in civics.
What if the Applicant Fails the Citizenship Test?
The applicant will be given two chances to take the English and Civics tests per application. If the applicant does not pass any of the tests at their initial Citizenship Test and Interview, they will be retested on that portion of the test in which they failed. This retest will be conducted between 60 and 90 days from the date of the applicant's initial interview.
Results of the Citizenship Test
The applicants will be notified of the results through mail.
