USCIS to update the naturalization civics test

As per a News Release dated November 13, 2020, US Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS] has announced its plans for the implementation of “a revised version of the naturalization civics test”.

As per USCIS, applicants that have a filing date on or after December 1, 2020, will be required to take the 2020 version of the civics test as part of their naturalization process.

Applicants for naturalization that have a filing date before December 1, 2020, on the other hand, will have to appear for the 2008 version of the civics test instead.

The provision for the civics testing is as per USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12 – Citizenship and Naturalization, Part E – English and Civics Testing and Exceptions, Chapter 2 – English and Civics Testing.

The naturalization civics test has two components – an English test and a civics test. There has been no change in the English test for US naturalization purposes.

Overview of US Naturalization test
[I] English test – no change For the English portion, the applicant must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write as well as speak basic English.
[II] Civics test For assessing the applicant’s understanding of US history and civics
2008 version Oral test Up to 10 questions asked from list of 100 civics test questions To answer 6 correctly Passing score – 60%	2020 version Oral test Up to 20 questions asked from list of 128 civics test questions To answer at least 12 correctly Passing score – 60%

For a certain period of time, USCIS will be administering both the versions of the test. The version that the applicant will be required to take will depend upon the date of the filing of their Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

An applicant is given two opportunities for passing the naturalization civics test. If an applicant fails any part of the test at their first interview, they will be required to appear for a re-test – only on the portion of the test that they had failed – between 60 to 90 days from the date of their first interview.

Certain applicants are given a special consideration, referred to as the 65/20 Special Consideration. As per USCIS, “the current guidelines for statutorily established special considerations” – for naturalization applicants 65 years in age or above and with at least 20 years of lawful permanent resident status in the US – are to be maintained.

Those qualifying for the 65/20 Special Consideration will be asked 10 questions. At least 6 questions will have to be answered correctly by such applicants in order to pass.

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