Per Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), most citizenship applicants should take the citizenship test to demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language, and a basic knowledge of U.S. government and history (civics). On Oct.1, 2008, the USCIS replaced the set of the citizenship test questions it used earlier. All applicants who filed their Naturalization application on or after October 1, 2008 are required to take the new citizenship test.
Format Of The Citizenship Test
During the citizenship test, the applicant is asked up to 10 out of the 100 questions. The interviewing officer will read the questions in English and the applicant should answer in English. To pass, at least 6 of the 10 questions should be answered correctly. Some questions will have more than one correct answer.
SPEAKING
The applicant’s verbal skills are determined by his/her answers to the questions asked by USCIS officials during the interview. USCIS interviewing officials should repeat and rephrase questions until the official is satisfied that the applicant either fully understands the question or does not understand English. If the applicant can understand and respond meaningfully to questions that is relevant to the determination of eligibility, it proves that the applicant has demonstrated the ability to speak English.
READING
To prove the ability to read in English, applicants should read one sentence out of three sentences, in a manner suggesting to the USCIS official that he/she can understand the meaning of the sentence. Once the applicant reads one of three sentences correctly, the USCIS official has to stop administering the reading test. An applicant will not be failed because of their accent when speaking English.
The test is evaluated in the following manner:
PASS
- If the applicant reads one sentence without extended pauses.
- If the applicant reads all the content words but omits short words that do not change the meaning.
- If the applicant makes pronunciation or intonation error that does not interfere with the meaning.
FAIL
- If the applicant does not read the sentence.
- If the applicant omits a content word or substitutes another word for a content word.
- If the applicant pauses for extended periods of time while reading the sentence.
- If the applicant makes pronunciation or intonation errors that interfere with meaning.
WRITING
To prove the ability to write in English, the applicant should write one sentence out of three sentences correctly. The applicant should not abbreviate any dictated word in the written sentence. Once the applicant writes one of three sentences correctly, the USCIS Officer should stop administering the writing test. Per the rules, an applicant shall not be failed because of spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors unless the errors would prevent understanding or change the meaning of the sentence.
The test is evaluated in the following manner:
PASS
- If it has the same meaning as the dictated sentence.
- If it contains some grammatical, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization errors that do not change/ interfere with meaning.
- Can omit short words that do not change/interfere with meaning.
- Numbers can be spelled out or written as digits.
FAIL
- If the applicant writes nothing or only one or two isolated words.
- The writing is completely illegible.
- If the applicant writes a different sentence or words.
- If the written sentence does not communicate the meaning of the dictated sentence.
- If the applicant writes an abbreviation for a dictated word.
CIVICS
To prove knowledge of U.S. government and history (civics), the applicant should answer six of ten questions correctly. The civics test will be an oral examination.
PASS
- If the applicant provides a correct answer
- If the applicant provides an alternative phrasing of the correct answer
FAIL
- If the applicant provides an incorrect answer
- If the applicant fails to respond.
Based on the applicant’s age and medically determinable physical or mental impairment, certain exceptions are there for the US citizenship test.