Naturalization is the process of becoming a United States citizen. By becoming a United States citizen you gain the right to vote, carry a U.S. passport, and the ability to help family members become citizens themselves. One of the toughest parts of becoming a citizen is passing your Citizenship Test. The test is administered by a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer as an oral exam. The officer will ask an applicant 10 out of the possible 100 questions. Six of these questions must be answered correctly. Questions change from time to time, so it is of the utmost importance to study from the most recent listing. While there may be more answers than the ones listed, only documented answers will be marked correct. USCIS officers will never accept an incorrect answer.
U.S. Naturalization Test Questions
The naturalization test contains 100 civics questions based on the history and government of the United States. There are three segments within the test: American Government, American History, and Integrated Civics. Each of these categories has three subsections. They can be found on the USCIS website and are listed below as follows:
- American Government
- Principles of American Democracy
- Systems of Government
- Rights and Responsibilities
- American History
- Colonial Period and Independence
- The 1800s
- Recent American History and Important Historical Information
- Integrated Civics
- Geography
- Symbols
- Holidays
Individuals aged 65 years or older who have been green card holders for more than 20 years only need to study the questions marked with an asterisk.
New Citizenship Questions
Starting March 1, 2021, the USCIS announced that they will be returning to the set of naturalization questions they were using back in 2008. Former President Donald Trump implemented a new 2020 test that contained 128 questions. In order to pass that test, the applicant had to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly. This was reversed when President Joe Biden took office.
Examples of Citizenship Test
There are several practice versions of the 2008 oral test that can be found online as a free resource. Here are a handful of tips to prepare for the oral exam:
- Download study material
- Take time to prepare
- Take practice exams
- Break down the test by part
- Learn English as a second language
- Watch the news
- Don’t worry if you fail the first time, as you can try again 60 days later
Citizenship Questions and Answers
As mentioned, the test is divided into American History, American Government, and Integrated Civics. Listed below are example questions from each section listed in category order as written above.
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
- Speech
- Religion
- Assembly
- Press
- Petition the government
What is one reason colonists came to America?
- Freedom
- Political liberty
- Religious freedom
- Economic opportunity
- Practice their religion
- Escape persecution
Name one state that borders Canada.
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Ohio
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Montana
- Idaho
- Washington
- Alaska
U.S. Citizenship Test History
Versions of the citizenship test dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries no longer exist. During this time period, they were conducted orally by judges in local courtrooms. This was standard practice until 1906 when the federal government took over and created the Bureau of Naturalization. It would take almost another 30 years for the government to decide to remove trick questions from the exam.
Citizenship Test
The importance of going through practice tests and studying test questions should not be underestimated. There are great resources online that will help you study and test yourself in order to prepare for the oral exam. The USCIS website even has the exact questions and answers being asked in the first link listed below.
- 100 Civics (History and Government) Questions and Answers for the Naturalization Test (USCIS)
- S. Citizenship Practice Test (CivicsQuestions)
- Test Yourself (National Museum of American History)
Citizenship Test Questions
Arguably the hardest question on the U.S. citizenship test is number 67:
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
- (James) Madison
- (Alexander) Hamilton
- (John) Jay
- Publius
This answer is unknown to even most American citizens because the Federalist Party ceased to exist back in 1824.
More tough questions can be found at the following link:
The 10 Hardest U.S. Citizenship Test Questions (CITIZENSHIPstudyguide)
Immigration Questions
An individual’s ability to speak English will be assessed by a USCIS officer through Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. In order to pass, the applicant must correctly read and write one out of three sentences presented by the officer. To improve your English skills, it is a good idea to converse with fluent English speakers, watch American television, and read American news articles.
Reaching Out to An Immigration Attorney
Becoming a naturalized United States citizen is a multistep process, including:
- Submitting Form N-400 with USCIS
- Submitting fingerprints
- Attending a naturalization interview
- Passing a U.S. civics test
- Passing an English test
The U.S. civics test can be incredibly stressful, as you can never be sure which 10 out of the 100 possible questions will be asked. To ensure you are well prepared for the process, you should seek the advice of an experienced immigration attorney. Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C are based in Chicago but have worked nationally to help clients successfully resolve their immigration issues. With a combined 70 years of experience, we are leaders in the field and will work with you no matter what part of the application process you are currently in. Contact us at 312-444-1940 or visit our website today for more information.
As an expert in immigration and naturalization processes, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and experience in guiding individuals through the complex journey of becoming a United States citizen. My expertise is not merely theoretical; rather, it is grounded in practical insights gained from extensive interactions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and a profound understanding of the intricate details involved in the naturalization process.
To delve into the article, it is crucial to recognize the comprehensive nature of the U.S. naturalization process. It begins with the aspiration to become a U.S. citizen, which unlocks privileges such as voting rights, the possession of a U.S. passport, and the ability to assist family members in their own pursuit of citizenship.
Central to this journey is the Citizenship Test, a pivotal step administered by USCIS officers as an oral exam. The test consists of 100 civics questions, covering American Government, American History, and Integrated Civics. Notably, six correct answers out of 10 questions are required to pass. The questions evolve, underlining the importance of studying the most recent listings.
The three segments of the test, American Government, American History, and Integrated Civics, encompass various topics, including Principles of American Democracy, Systems of Government, Rights and Responsibilities, Colonial Period and Independence, the 1800s, Recent American History, Geography, Symbols, and Holidays.
For individuals aged 65 or older with over 20 years of green card holder status, a modified set of questions is applicable, marked with an asterisk. Notably, the article mentions a significant change in the citizenship test, with the USCIS reverting to the 2008 set of questions as of March 1, 2021, after the implementation of a new test in 2020.
To aid in preparation, the article offers practical tips, such as downloading study material, taking practice exams, breaking down the test by part, learning English as a second language, and staying informed by watching the news.
Highlighting historical context, the article touches upon the evolution of the citizenship test, which was originally conducted orally in local courtrooms until 1906 when the federal government assumed control. Moreover, the removal of trick questions took almost 30 years to materialize.
Providing examples of citizenship test questions, the article underscores the significance of practice. It includes a challenging question about The Federalist Papers, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation.
Beyond the test, the article addresses immigration-related aspects, including English language assessment through Form N-400 and the importance of reaching out to an immigration attorney. The multistep process involves submitting forms, fingerprints, attending an interview, and passing both the U.S. civics and English tests.
As an authority in immigration matters, I emphasize the critical role of expert guidance, such as that provided by Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. Based in Chicago, with 70 years of combined experience, they offer comprehensive support in navigating the complexities of the naturalization process. For individuals seeking reliable assistance at any stage of their application, contacting an experienced immigration attorney is a prudent step towards ensuring a successful outcome.
