Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization is a meaningful demonstration of your commitment to this country. It also makes you eligible for benefits and privileges that non-citizens do not have. To become a citizen, you must pass the U.S. citizenship test. This test ensures you have a basic understanding of U.S. history, government, and civic principles.
The citizenship test consists of two parts – an English test and a civics test. During the English portion, you must demonstrate an ability to read, write, and speak basic English. For the civics test, you will be asked up to 10 questions out of a possible 100 questions. You must answer at least 6 questions correctly to pass this portion.
The 100 civics questions cover important topics in U.S. history and government, such as:
– The Constitution and the Bill of Rights
– The branches of government
– Political parties and elections
– U.S. laws and founding documents
– Basic U.S. history facts
– Civil rights and voting rights
To prepare for the civics portion, you will need to study all 100 questions in advance. The questions come directly from a handbook published by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) called “Learn About the United States.” This handbook is available for free download online.
Some examples of the civics questions include:
– What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
– What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
– What are two Cabinet-level positions?
– Who was President during World War I?
The USCIS also provides vocabulary lists to study for the English portion of the test. You can practice your English skills by reading sample sentences and paragraphs. During the test, you will need to demonstrate vocabulary and language skills like:
– Reading simple sentences in English
– Writing simple sentences in English from dictation
– Answering basic questions verbally in English
The entire citizenship test takes about 90 minutes to complete. USCIS encourages that you study for the test and not take it lightly. Gaining U.S. citizenship is worth the effort for the many rights and benefits it provides. With study and focus, you can pass the citizenship test and become a proud U.S. citizen.
