New Citizenship Test Began on October 1, 2008

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently completed a multi-year redesign of the citizenship test. USCIS’s goal in redesigning the test, which follows a basic history and civics curriculum, was to make sure that the test accurately determines whether applicants have a meaningful understanding of U.S. government and history. USCIS also wanted to ensure that the test would be administered uniformly nationwide. Alfonso Aguilar, Chief of the Office of Citizenship at the USCIS stated that, “the exam is not harder, only more meaningful.” Instead of asking questions requiring rote memorization, such as “how many stars are on the U.S. flag,” the new test as asks questions that require conceptualization and critical thinking about civics and history. For example, “what does the constitution do?” and "what is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?" Despite the stylistic change in questions, the civics test remains an oral test administered by USCIS Officers. Applicants will be asked up to 10 out of 100 possible civics questions. An applicant must answer six (6) out of ten (10) questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test. After answering civic questions, the applicant is then asked to read between one and three questions which are paired with answers that must be written to ensure literacy. After attending several interviews where the new test was administered, Greenberg Traurig Attorney, Dawn Lurie said, “the test doesn’t appear more difficult, but it certainly feels more lengthy.” Dawn Lurie further commented that
“the test does appear more meaningful and practical,” echoing Chief Aguilar’s sentiment.

Determining whether an applicant will be required to take the old or redesigned test is slightly complicated. All applicants whose citizenship interviews were scheduled before October 1, 2008, will still take the old citizenship test. Applicants whose citizenship applications were received by USCIS before October 1, 2008, and whose initial exams were scheduled between October 1, 2008 and October 1, 2009, may choose to take either the old or new test. Applicants whose citizenship applications were received by USCIS after October 1, 2008, will be required to take the new test, as will applicants whose initial interviews are scheduled on or after October 1, 2009, regardless when their applications were received by USCIS.

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