Finally getting the opportunity to take the US Naturalization Test (also referred to as the Citizenship Test) is an exciting time for immigrants and can be the finish line of a long and difficult road. This article will discuss the Naturalization Test, including the eligibility requirements that must be met first to take the test, the contents of the test, and the interview process. All of this happens prior to taking the Oath of Allegiance and (finally) being sworn in as a US Citizen!
Prior to the Citizenship Test
Before someone can take the Citizenship test, there are a number of steps that must be taken:
Step 1: Verify that they meet the eligibility requirements to apply for citizenship. These eligibility requirements usually depend on the amount of time a person has had legal status in the United States.
Step 2: Complete and Submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with the required government filing fees.
Step 3: Attend the Biometrics Appointment. Sometimes, USCIS will apply biometrics from a previous application and not require the applicant to attend an appointment but is done on a case-by-case basis.
Step 4: Receive a scheduled date for the naturalization interview and Citizenship Test.
Step 5: Prepare the requested documents and study for the Citizenship Test.
Naturalization Interview and Test
Typically, the Naturalization Interview and the Citizenship test both occur during the same appointment. Let’s break down what you can expect during that appointment:
What to Expect: Interview Portion
It is important to bring all of the required immigration documents, including vital records, immigration documents, and any legal documents affiliated with your personal and immigration records. USCIS will include a list of the required documents in the interview notice indicating what they require to be brought to the interview.
After you have arrived at the USCIS field office and checked in at the front desk, you will then be called back for your appointment. The officer will first conduct the interview, asking any number of questions that are on the N-400. There is a long list of questions in Section 9 of the N-400 that should be studied, understood, and prepared for so that an applicant can answer these when asked by the USCIS Officer. It is important that the applicant’s answers on the N-400 are the same as what they plan to provide to the USCIS Officer in an interview.
| NOTE: There are certain exceptions to the English speaking and comprehension requirements that are outlined on Form N-400 and its connected instructions. |
In addition, the officer will typically ask other general questions about immigration history, the applicant’s marriage (if naturalization eligibility is dependent on that relationship), etc.
What to Expect: Naturalization Test
The USCIS Naturalization test takes place at the Naturalization interview, and except for certain exemptions, it includes an English proficiency test and a civics test.
English Test
The first of the two tests given in the Naturalization interview is the English test. The USCIS Officer will first provide the applicant with 3 sentences on a tablet, and they must choose one to read out loud in English.
Then, the USCIS Officer will read the applicant 3 sentences in English, and the applicant must listen to the sentences and write them down. The applicant will be permitted to write all three sentences down, but they only need to write one correctly in order to pass.
(This portion will be done on a tablet and written with a stylus, so it is important to learn how to write with a stylus in preparation to complete the writing portion.)
Throughout the interaction, the officer will also continuously assess the individual’s ability to speak and understand English.
Civics Test
The other test that happens during the interview is the Civics Test. For this test, USCIS currently uses the 2008 Civics test, which includes 100 different questions about United States history, civics, and governmental processes. As a reminder, applicants should learn, understand, and memorize the “100 Questions” and their answers prior to their appointment.
For the test, the USCIS Officer will ask future US Citizens 10 questions from the 100 questions, to which they will have to respond verbally in English. The applicant must answer at least 6 of these 10 questions correctly. According to USCIS, “a system randomly selects the test questions, and an officer administers the test orally. The standardized civics test contains 10 questions. The officer stops the test when the applicant correctly answers the minimum number of questions required to pass the test.” USCIS has practice tests that go through the questions.
Some examples of these questions are…
- What does the Constitution do?
- How old do Citizens have to be to vote for President?
- What did Susan B. Anthony do?
- Who was President during WWI?
- Where is the Statue of Liberty?
- What is the Name of the National Anthem?
- Why are there 13 stripes on US Flag?
- What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?
- What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
- Who wrote the Federalist Papers?
Remember, there are 100 questions, so this is only a select few. Make sure to review all questions as you prepare, as there is no guarantee of what questions you will be asked!
Many of these questions have multiple possible answers, so studying and understanding them is important! It is well-advised to avoid simply memorizing the questions and their answers. Knowing what the questions and answers mean is very important to be able to answer in the interview.
Many local community centers and English schools specialize in helping immigrants study for the Citizenship test – the 100 Questions and the Interview. Take advantage of these resources – many of them are free!
If any of the test sections are not passed, the USCIS policy manual states that USCIS will reschedule them for a second interview where they are tested only on the test(s) that were not passed in the original interview. This second interview will be rescheduled 60-90 days after the original interview. If the applicant does not pass any of the tests in the second interview, their application will be denied.
What to Expect: Finalization
Typically, the USCIS Officer lets the applicant know that they have passed the test portion of the interview during the interview. However, passing this test portion does not automatically guarantee they will be granted Citizenship.
If, based on the interview and tests, the officer determines that the applicant is eligible for Citizenship, USCIS will send a confirmation in the mail that the applicant passed the interview. Once this comes in the mail, the applicant must attend a Naturalization Ceremony to become a citizen.
What to Expect: Naturalization (Oath) Ceremony
The final step in becoming a US Citizen is the Naturalization Ceremony, where future US Citizens will join together to take the Oath of Allegiance! Once this is done, Citizenship is granted!
Here, you will find USCIS’s outline of what to expect and what the Naturalization Ceremony will look like:
1. Receive a Notice to Take the Oath of Allegiance
You may be able to participate in a naturalization ceremony on the same day as your interview. If a ceremony is unavailable, we will mail you a notice with the date, time, and location of your scheduled naturalization ceremony on Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony.
If you cannot attend your scheduled naturalization ceremony, return the notice, Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, to your local USCIS office, along with a letter requesting a new date and explaining why you cannot attend the scheduled naturalization ceremony. Failing to appear more than once for your naturalization ceremony may lead to a denial of your application.
2. Check-in at the Ceremony
Once you arrive at the ceremony, check in with USCIS.
A USCIS officer will review your responses to the questionnaire, Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony. Please complete your responses to the questionnaire before you arrive.
To see what items are prohibited on federal properties, you can check the Federal Protective Service’s frequently asked questions web page.
3. Return your Permanent Resident Card
You must return your Permanent Resident Card to USCIS when you check in for your naturalization ceremony. This requirement is waived if you provided proof during the naturalization interview that the card has been lost and you have attempted to recover it, or if, because of your military service, you were never granted permanent residence. You will no longer need your Permanent Resident Card because you will receive your Certificate of Naturalization after you take the Oath of Allegiance.
4. Take the Oath of Allegiance
You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. You will receive your Certificate of Naturalization after taking the Oath of Allegiance.
5. Receive a Certificate of Naturalization
Carefully review your Certificate of Naturalization and notify USCIS of any errors before leaving the ceremony. You may use your Certificate of Naturalization as official proof that you are a U.S. citizen.
If you lose your Certificate of Naturalization, you may request a replacement by filing Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document.
Get Started Today!
If you’re currently waiting for your Naturalization interview, studying for Citizenship should be fun and exciting! This should be a time to celebrate the end of a long road in the United States. We’re so excited for you!
If you are ready to start the naturalization process and file the N-400, SimpleCitizen would love to be part of your journey. Take our eligibility quiz to find out if you’re eligible to apply today!
SimpleCitizen is excited for those who are finally at this stage of their immigration timeline. We’re happy you’re here!