Discover the New Lengthy U.S. Citizenship Test: Do You Have What It Takes to Pass
Starting Monday, the United States will implement a new version of the naturalization civics test for citizenship applicants. This updated test requires candidates to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, compared to the previous requirement of just 6 questions from a smaller set of 100. The new exam features a wider bank of 128 questions, but applicants will be randomly selected from these questions during their assessment.
Key Changes to the Citizenship Test
- Test Structure: The new test comprises 128 questions.
- Passing Criteria: Candidates must correctly answer 12 out of 20 questions.
- Focus Areas: The updated test emphasizes U.S. history and government, excluding geography questions.
Feedback from Candidates
Responses from individuals in San Antonio reveal mixed feelings about the test’s difficulty. Yao Yao, who took the previous version 10 years ago, expressed that the current questions seem significantly harder. “I only got two right out of, I don’t know, 10?” she commented.
Official Guidance from USCIS
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages applicants to prepare thoroughly. The full list of questions and acceptable answers can be found on their website. Given that questions are chosen randomly, studying all 128 questions is essential.
Concerns and Controversies
The changes to the citizenship test have sparked criticism from immigration attorneys. Marlyn Moreno labeled these modifications as discriminatory, suggesting they aim to limit the number of individuals who can obtain U.S. citizenship. She acknowledges the importance of understanding specific governmental concepts but disagrees with the method of implementation.
Looking Ahead
These changes are part of a broader reform of American citizenship standards, aimed at ensuring that only those who meet enhanced eligibility requirements can naturalize. The USCIS asserts that this approach will foster better integration and contributions from new citizens.
As these developments unfold, many prospective applicants will face new challenges on their path to citizenship. It remains to be seen how these changes will affect the overall naturalization process in the United States.
