Becoming a U.S. citizen is a monumental milestone, and one of the final steps in the naturalization process is passing the U.S. citizenship test. This test evaluates an applicant’s knowledge of U.S. history, government, and English skills. But where did the test come from, and what does it take to become a citizen today? Let’s take a closer look.
The Requirements for Naturalization
To qualify for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, applicants must generally meet the following requirements:
1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Have lawful permanent resident (green card) status for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
3. Demonstrate continuous residence and physical presence in the United States.
4. Show good moral character during the statutory period.
5. Pass the English language and civics tests.
6. Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
The most well-known part of this process is the civics and English test—but the origins of these exams might surprise you.
The History of the Civics and English Test
The idea of testing immigrants’ knowledge of U.S. history and English skills dates back to the early 20th century. The first formal English requirement was introduced in 1906 when naturalization laws required applicants to speak basic English. By 1950, the law expanded to include understanding the fundamentals of U.S. government and history.
However, it wasn’t until 1986 that the current form of the civics test began taking shape. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) standardized the process, requiring applicants to answer oral questions about U.S. history, government, and civics. In 2008, the test was redesigned to better assess meaningful knowledge rather than rote memorization.
What’s on the Test?
The naturalization exam has two main components:
1. Civics Test
Applicants answer 10 questions (from a pool of 100) about U.S. government, history, geography, and rights. They must correctly answer at least 6 to pass.
2. English Test
The English test evaluates:
Reading: Applicants must read one out of three sentences correctly in English.
Writing: Applicants write one of three sentences dictated by the officer.
Speaking: An applicant’s speaking ability is assessed during their interview.
These questions may sound simple, but they serve as a powerful reflection of how immigrants commit to learning the story and values of the United States.
Can You Pass the Test?
Let’s see if you’re citizenship test ready! Answer these 10 real questions from the civics exam. You need 6/10 correct to pass—just like on the real test!
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
2. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
3. What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
4. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
5. What is one responsibility only for U.S. citizens?
6. Who is the current Chief Justice of the United States?
7. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
8. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
9. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
10. Name one U.S. territory.
Answers:
1. The Constitution
2. 27
3. The Bill of Rights
4. Thomas Jefferson
5. Serve on a jury or vote in a federal election
6. John Roberts
7. Atlantic Ocean
8. Communism
9. Franklin D. Roosevelt
10. Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, or the U.S. Virgin Islands