It is completely understandable if you were nervous during your U.S. citizenship test, as this was the final barrier to naturalization. This may have affected your performance to the point that a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer did not pass you. Rest assured, though, you may be allotted one retake opportunity for the same application. If you wish to take advantage of this second chance, please read on to discover how to do better in your upcoming citizenship retest and how one of the seasoned Lancaster County naturalization lawyers at Lupton Law LLC can supply you with the tools you need to succeed next time.
Do I qualify for any citizenship test exemptions?
You may not have realized it the first time around, but certain conditions may exempt certain naturalization applicants from taking the citizenship test, and you may just qualify for one of them. This is to say that you may not have to deal with the stress of rescheduling and retaking this examination after all.
For one, under the 50/20 rule, applicants who are at least 50 years old and have been lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years do not have to take the English portion of the test. There is also the 55/15 rule for applicants 55 and older with 15 or more years of green card status. These individuals may only need to pass the civics test, but may take it in their native language with the assistance of an interpreter.
Similarly, there is the 65/20 rule for applicants 65 years and older with 20 or more years of lawful permanent residency. Here, these individuals may take a simplified version of the civis test, in which a USCIS officer may pull questions from a shorter list, to make studying more manageable.
Lastly, the USCIS offers eligible applicants the opportunity to file Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. This is for individuals with a physical, developmental, or mental impairment that prevents them from learning or demonstrating knowledge of English or civics. This may require supporting documentation from a licensed medical professional who can concur that the individual’s condition has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
How can I better prepare for my citizenship retest?
If you do not qualify for any of the aforementioned exemptions, you may have 60 to 90 days to prepare for your U.S. citizenship retest. You must use this time wisely, and do not fall back on the assumption that your previous experience with the test is enough to get you past the second time.
The easiest thing you can do is focus on the portion you failed initially, since you will only have to retake this part. From here, access the free practice resources available on the USCIS’s website; these are the exact questions a USCIS officer will pull from. When in doubt, practice mock examinations with your lawyer to build your confidence and better identify your weak points to work on.
There is no shame in asking for help, especially when you are dealing with something as serious as a legal matter that could affect your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. So please retain legal assistance from one of the competent Lancaster County naturalization lawyers from Lupton Law LLC. We will happily lend a hand.
