Taking the immigration test is a part of the American citizenship process. Most applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the English language and are required to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in English. In addition, applicants’ knowledge of basic US government and history (civics) will also be tested.
When Should One Take the Immigration Test?
After you submit the American citizenship application to the USCIS with the appropriate fee and supporting documents, your application will be checked for completeness. The USCIS will inform you about the date and location to get your fingerprints taken and subsequently, for an interview. In the US immigration test, you will be asked 10 out of the listed 100 questions. To pass this section, you should answer at least 6 of the 10 questions correctly.
Your English speaking ability will be determined by how you answer to the questions asked by interviewing USCIS officials. In the reading section, you have to read one sentence out of three sentences correctly, in a manner establishing to the USCIS official that you are able to understand the meaning of the sentence. You need not worry about the accent when speaking English, as you will not be failed because of your accent. Additionally, you should be able to write one sentence out of three sentences correctly. You should not abbreviate any dictated word in the written sentence. After you have written one of three sentences correctly, the USCIS official will stop the writing test. You will not be failed because of spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors unless those errors change the meaning of the sentence.
In the Civics section of the immigration test, you will be asked ten questions out of which you should be able to answer at least six correctly. This will be an oral examination. You will PASS if you are able to provide a correct answer or if you provide an alternative phrasing of the correct answer, which does not change the meaning of the answer. If your answer is incorrect or if you fail to respond to the questions, you will be considered as FAIL.
As mentioned earlier, not all applicants are required to take the test. Depending on your age and the duration of your permanent residence status or any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, you can be exempted from taking the immigration test.
If I Fail The Immigration Test?
If your application was rejected because you were not able to pass the English and/or Civics test, you can re apply as soon as you feel you have learned enough English and/or Civics to pass the tests. If you fail any of the tests at your interview, you will be given a second chance and will be retested on the portion of the test that you failed (English/Civics) between 60 and 90 days from the date of your previous interview. If you fail again, your application will be denied.
If you feel that the USCIS made a mistake in rejecting/denying your application, you have the right to request a hearing with an immigration official. The denial letter will have all the details about how to request a hearing. You will have to file Form N-336, “Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings” under Section 336 of the INA with the appropriate fee within thirty days from the date you received the denial letter.
Even after the appeal hearing, if you feel you have been wrongly denied, you can file a petition for a new review of your Naturalization application in a US district court.