If you are like many immigrants, you may hesitate to take the naturalization test, fearing that, if you fail it, you cannot become a US citizen. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, however, explains why you should not have any fears.
No one is “out to get you” on this test. Rather, the purpose of this 2-part test is merely to ascertain that you have a basic understanding of the English language and of the American way of life.
English test
The English language test occurs during your interview with a USCIS officer and consists of the following three parts:
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
During the speaking part, your interviewer will ask you questions, in English, about yourself and your application to become a US citizen. You need to respond in English.
He or she will proceed to the reading part, giving you a piece of paper that contains three English sentences for you to read aloud. Yor need to correctly read at least one of them.
Finally, your interviewer will ask you three questions out loud, again in English, and ask you to write your answers in English. You need to write at least one correct answer.
Civics test
The civics test is a multiple-choice test, written in English, that contains 10 basic questions about the US, such as our form of government, holidays, history, etc. You will need to select the correct answer to at least six of these questions.
Retaking the test
Should you happen to fail part of the test, do not despair. You can retake the part or parts that you failed anytime within 90 days.
If you wish, you can attend a citizenship course before taking the naturalization test or after failing one or more parts of it.