Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization is an exciting milestone. Part of this journey involves passing the naturalization test, which includes an English component and a civics test. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you get ready for the English test so you can ace it with confidence.
Key Components of the Naturalization Test:
- English Language Proficiency
- Reading: You will be asked to read sentences aloud.
- Writing: You will write sentences as dictated by the officer.
- Speaking: Your ability to speak and understand English is assessed from the moment you start the interview.
- Civics Knowledge
- The civics test includes questions about U.S. history and government, such as significant events like the Civil War and World War II.
We will help you understand the test, exceptions, accommodations, give you practical tips for preparation, common mistakes applicants face, and how to overcome them.
Naturalization Interview
The naturalization interview process, also known as the citizenship test, includes several parts:
A. Check-in: The immigration officer will greet you and start assessing your English skills as soon as you check in. The officer may ask:
- How are you?
- Did you have any trouble getting here?
- How was the traffic?
B. Oath: During your interview, you’ll be required to take an oath to tell the truth. Here are some questions you might be asked:
- Do you promise to tell the truth during this interview?
- Do you understand what it means to take an oath?
- Are you willing to swear that your statements are true, to the best of your knowledge?
C. N-400 Review: The officer will review your citizenship application with you to make sure the information is correct and to check for changes. Questions may be:
- Have you had any trips outside the United States since submitting your application?
- Have you changed your address?
- Have you been employed or attended school since you submitted your application?
- Have you been arrested or cited for any legal issues since you submitted your application?
- Do you still live at the same address listed on your application?
- Have there been any changes to your marital status?
- Do you need to update any information regarding your children?
D. English Test: This includes the speaking, reading, and writing tests.
E. Civics Test: This covers U.S. history and government.
Interview Tips:
- Be Honest: Answer all questions clearly and honestly.
- Stay Calm: If you don’t understand a question, ask the officer to repeat or rephrase it.
- Be familiar with all your previous immigration forms and filings, and the words that are contained in the file.
Warning! Don’t fall for tricks that USCIS officers sometimes deploy. For example, at the beginning of the interview, the officer might stand up without raising her right hand, but verbally cues you to stand up and raise your right hand. This is a common trick that officers use to see whether you understand the phrase “raise your right hand” without being physically prompted.
Preparing for the English Test
To meet the requirements set by law, an applicant must show a basic understanding of the English language, which includes the ability to read, write, and speak simple words and phrases used in everyday English. This means you need to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking basic English to be eligible for naturalization. You must successfully pass all three parts of the English test.
What to Expect: the immigration officer will present you with three sentences to read aloud in English. These sentences, which will appear on a tablet, are derived from the civics questions. To pass this part of the test, you need to read at least one sentence correctly.
Examples:
- “George Washington was the first president.”
- “Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States.”
- “The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States”
What Officers Should Not Do
- Officers will not fail an applicant for minor pronunciation or intonation errors that don’t affect the meaning.
- Officers will not fail an applicant for omitting short words that don’t change the sentence.
Common Problems
- Pausing too long while reading: Try to keep reading smoothly without taking long breaks.
- Omitting or substituting content words: Avoid substituting words you know for the actual words in the sentence.
- Pronunciation that obscures the sentence meaning.
Tips for Success:
- Practice Daily: Make reading English part of your daily routine. Focus on understanding the sentences, not just pronouncing the words.
- Use Study Materials: Check out USCIS study materials and practice tests to get a feel for the kinds of sentences you’ll see.
Here is a table to help study reading vocabulary words for the U.S. Naturalization test. This table includes words, their pronunciation in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), and example sentences to help with understanding and usage in the context of U.S. civics and American history.
What to Expect: The officer will ask you to write three sentences in English. You will use a stylus pen on a tablet. The writing tests assess basic English grammar and vocabulary, and it’s okay to ask for clarification during the test. These sentences are from the civics questions. You must write one out of three sentences correctly to pass.
Examples:
- “U.S. citizens have the right to vote.”
- “Congress makes federal laws.”
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on January 16.
What Officers Should Not Do
- Officers will not fail an applicant for spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors unless they affect the sentence meaning.
- Officers will typically not accept an abbreviation for a dictated word.
Common Problems
- Writing a different sentence or words than what was dictated:
- Errors that prevent the officer from understanding the sentence.
- Writing nothing or only isolated words.
Tips for Success:
- Practice Writing: Regularly practice writing sentences that are dictated to you. Clear, readable writing is key.
- Ask for Clarification: Don’t hesitate to ask the officer to repeat a sentence if you didn’t catch it the first time.
Here is a study table for writing sentences using difficult words from the Writing Vocabulary List for the U.S. naturalization test. The table includes the word, an example sentence, and a brief note about its usage in civics or U.S. history.
What to Expect: Your ability to speak and understand English will be assessed from the moment you start your interview. Questions will be repeated and rephrased as needed to make sure you understand them.
Common Questions:
- “Why do you want to become a U.S. citizen?”
- “Do you understand why you are here today?”
What Officers Should Not Do
- Officers will not fail an applicant for minor pronunciation, spelling, or grammatical errors as long as the overall meaning is conveyed.
- Officers cannot offer or accept a withdrawal of a naturalization application from an applicant who does not speak English unless an interpreter is present to make sure the applicant understands the consequences.
Common Problems
- Difficulty understanding and answering eligibility questions.
- Nervousness and anxiety affect communication.
- Misunderstanding questions due to unfamiliar vocabulary or phrasing.
Tips for Success:
- Study Your Application: Know your N-400 application inside and out, and be ready to discuss any part of it.
Practice Speaking: Engage in English conversations as often as possible and practice answering common interview questions.
What to Expect: The immigration officer will use the USCIS system to randomly select the civics test questions from a list of 100. This test is conducted orally and you will respond verbally. To pass this civics component, you must correctly answer 6 out of 10 questions.
Examples:
- What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
- A:the Bill of Rights.
- What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- A: the United States – the flag.
- What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
- A: freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
What Officers Should Not Do
- Fail an applicant for providing an alternative phrasing of the correct answer if it shows understanding.
- Use the same test forms for re-examination.
Common Problems
- Difficulty memorizing all 100 questions.
- Misunderstanding questions due to unfamiliar phrasing.
- Anxiety during the test.
Tips for Success:
- Study the 100 civics questions from USCIS.
- Understand the principles and history behind each question.
Take practice tests to get used to the test format and types of questions.
Exceptions and Accommodations
Age and Residency Exceptions: You might qualify for exemptions from the English requirement based on your age and how long you have been a legal permanent resident:
- Age 50 or older: If you’ve been an LPR for 20 years.
- Age 55 or older: If you’ve been an LPR for 15 years.
Important Note:
- Even if you qualify for the “50/20” or “55/15” English language exceptions mentioned, you are still required to take the civics test.
- You have the option to take the civics test in your native language.
- If you choose to take the test in your native language, you must bring an interpreter to your interview who is fluent in both English and your native language.
Special Consideration for Civics Test: If you are 65 or older and have been a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) in the U.S. for 20 years, you qualify for special consideration. You will take a simplified civics test with 20 questions. To pass, you need to answer at least 6 out of 10 questions correctly
Medical Disability Exceptions: If you are unable to fulfill the English and civics requirements for naturalization due to physical or developmental disabilities or mental impairments, you might be eligible for an exemption. To apply for this exemption, you need to submit Form N-648, which must be completed by a licensed medical doctor, osteopathic doctor, or licensed clinical psychologist.
Meeting Requirements under IRCA 1986: In 1986, the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) required people legalized under INA 245A to show they had basic citizenship skills to become Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs). To prove these skills, applicants could either pass tests in English and civics given by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), or they could take tests from organizations authorized by the INS.
During the naturalization re-examination, if an applicant didn’t pass any part of the test required by IRCA, they would be retested on those sections. Every applicant must demonstrate they can speak English during the naturalization exam, unless they qualify for exemptions based on age, residency time, or a medical waiver.
Retaking the Citizenship Test
You can take the English and civics tests twice per application. If you don’t pass a part of the test during your first interview, you will have another chance. You will be retested on the part you didn’t pass during a second interview. USCIS will schedule your re test between 60 and 90 days after your initial interview. If you fail the second test, the naturalization application will be denied due to failure to meet educational requirements.
How to Prepare for Re-test
- Review the specific areas of the test that were failed.
- Use feedback from the initial test to guide study and preparation.
- Get additional help or tutoring if needed.
After administering the English and civics portion during the naturalization examination, USCIS officers must document the test results in the applicant’s A-file (immigration file). They are required to provide each applicant with a complete record of their examination and testing outcomes at the conclusion of the naturalization process, unless the officer issues a denial notice. This record includes the results from both the English and civics tests.
Study Resources for English and Civics
English Language
- USCIS Citizenship Resource Center: Offers study materials and practice tests.
- USAHello: Free online English classes in multiple languages including English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Swahili and Vietnamese.
- Duolingo: Free language learning app with English courses for speakers of many languages.
Civics Knowledge
- USCIS Civics Practice Test: An online tool to practice answering civics questions in a test format.
- USAHello Civics Test Preparation: Free online course designed to help you prepare for the civics portion of the test.
- Flashcards: USCIS provides downloadable flashcards with all 100 civics questions and answers. USCIS Civics Flashcards
More Help
- Community and Religious Organizations: Many offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to help immigrants improve their English skills and prepare for the naturalization test
Tutoring Services: Get a tutor who specializes in English and civics test preparation.
FAQs
Proposed Changes to the Naturalization Test
Upcoming Changes: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed changes to the test. As of this writing, these changes have not been implemented. But these proposed changes have raised concerns among some immigrants and advocates who worry the new test will be more difficult, especially for those with lower English proficiency.
Key Proposed Changes
- Proposed New Speaking Section:
- Current: The officer evaluates speaking ability during the naturalization interview by asking personal questions that the applicant has already answered in their paperwork.
- Proposed: The new section would require applicants to describe photos of ordinary scenarios, such as daily activities, weather, or food.
- Concerns: This could be more difficult for applicants who find it harder to describe pictures than answer personal questions. It could also increase stress and nervousness.
- Proposed Multiple-Choice Civics Test:
- Current: The Civics test is oral short-answer questions where applicants must answer 6 out of 10 questions chosen from 100 questions.
- Proposed: The test will be multiple-choice where applicants will choose the correct answer from four options.
- Concerns: This could be more difficult as it requires broader knowledge and higher language proficiency. For example, identifying the war the U.S. fought in the 1900s from a list of wars could be more difficult than just naming one.
Concerns Over New Citizenship Test Changes
The proposed changes aim to reflect best practices in test design and standardize the citizenship test. But there are concerns about the impact on:
- Lower English Proficiency: Those who learned English later in life may struggle to describe pictures or understand multiple-choice questions.
- Refugees and Elderly Immigrants: Those from war-torn countries or with limited formal education may find the new test format more difficult.
- People with Disabilities: The reading and comprehension demands of the multiple-choice test may be a big challenge for applicants with disabilities.
Note: USCIS will conduct a national pilot of the proposed changes and will accept public feedback. An external group of language acquisition, civics, and test development experts will review the pilot results to recommend implementation strategies.
Get Ready for Changes
Since the test format is uncertain, applicants should:
- Stay Informed: Follow USCIS announcements and updates on the naturalization test.
- Practice Descriptive English: Practice describing scenarios and pictures for the new speaking part.
- Study Broadly: Study U.S. history and government for the civics test, in multiple-choice format.
Naturalization Data
In fiscal year 2022, over 1 million people became U.S. citizens, the highest number since 1907. USCIS reduced the naturalization application backlog by 60% compared to the previous year.
Compared to Other Countries
The U.S. citizenship test is considered one of the easiest among Western countries:
- U.S. Test: Applicants must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly from a pool of 100 questions, pass rate is about 96%.
- German Test: Applicants must answer 17 out of 33 questions correctly; the pass rate is about 90%.
Canadian and UK Tests: Even more difficult, the UK test doesn’t have a question bank for study.
Ready to Start Your Journey to U.S. Citizenship?
Passing the naturalization test is a crucial step in becoming a U.S. citizen. By understanding the test components, utilizing available resources, and following the tips provided, you can significantly enhance your chances of success. For personalized guidance and support, consult with Herman Legal Group. Contact us at 1-216-696-6170 to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward achieving your citizenship goals. Good luck!
Sources:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). “Naturalization Test and Study Resources”. USCIS.
- Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 312(b)
- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 8, Part 312 and 335
Associated Press article: “U.S. citizenship test is changing. Here’s why some advocates are worried”
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