When Should I Take The Naturalization Test?

By Author: Paul Anderson
Total Articles: 91
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In order to qualify for U.S. citizenship, almost all applicants are required to take an English language test and a Civics test. Generally, applicants must establish to the satisfaction of the interviewing officer that they are able to read, write and speak basic English and that they have basic knowledge of US history and government. But the requirements for the naturalization test differ due to age and disability factors.

Naturalization test questions :

There are certain exceptions to take the naturalization test. Per the rules, if the applicant is over 50 years old and has lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 20 years or over 55 years old and has lived in the United States as a Permanent Resident for periods totaling at least 15 years, he/she need not take the English test. But has to take the civics test in the language of his/her choice.

And if the applicant is over 65 years of age and have been a permanent resident for periods totaling at least 20 years, he/she need ...
... not take the English test. In such a case, the applicant has to take the Civics test, but you can take it in a language of your choice. Here the test will be a simpler version. You will be asked about 10 questions out of a list of 25.

The applicant is eligible for an exception for the naturalization test if he/she has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects his/her ability to learn English and Civics. So you need to file Form N-648 requesting an exception and has to be filed along with the application.

For the English and Civics requirement, if you qualify for a medical exception, you should still be able to take the Oath of Allegiance to the US. If you have physical to mental disability and cannot communicate an understanding of the meaning of the Oath, USCIS may excuse the applicant from this requirement. If the applicant qualifies for a waiver of the English proficiency requirement, he/she should be prepared to bring an interpreter.

Most of the questions in the naturalization test remain unchanged. Only a few questions like the names of persons holding government positions change.

The naturalization test is NOT a multiple choice test. Your civics knowledge will be tested orally. The USCIS Officer will ask around 10 questions out of the 100 questions. You must answer six out of ten questions correctly to pass the civics section of the naturalization test. Your ability to speak, read, write, and understand English will be evaluated at your interview.

Your English skills will be tested in reading, writing and speaking. Three sentences will be given and the applicant should read one sentence just to let the USCIS officer know that you understand the meaning of the sentence. Then the applicant should write one sentence out of the three given. As far as speaking ability is concerned, it will be determined by the answers to questions asked by USCIS officers during the interview.