As part of the naturalization process, you must take a U.S. citizenship test. While this test usually lasts no more than 20 minutes, its impact may last indefinitely. That is, if the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer fails you twice, you may be ineligible to become a naturalized citizen altogether. So please read on to discover how to prepare for the U.S. citizenship test and how one of the seasoned Lancaster County naturalization lawyers at Lupton Law LLC can help you pass it with flying colors.
Am I eligible to take the U.S. citizenship test?
Before you even reach the step of the naturalization process where you take the U.S. citizenship step, you must confirm that you are eligible to file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, in the first place. In other words, the qualifications for becoming a naturalized citizen read as follows:
- You must be at least 18 years old on your filing date.
- You must have held a green card for three to five years.
- You must have had residency in the U.S. for three to five continuous years.
- You must have been physically present in the U.S. for 18 to 30 continuous months.
- You must demonstrate good moral character (i.e., no criminal history).
- You must demonstrate a willingness to support and defend the U.S. Constitution.
What do I do to prepare for the U.S. citizenship test?
First things first, there are two parts to the U.S. citizenship test: the English test and the civics test. With the English test, you must demonstrate your proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking in English. Evidently, the best way to prepare for this portion is to read aloud, write notes, and spark conversations with others in English exclusively. What’s more, the USCIS website offers English terms that are likely to appear on the test. So you may make flashcards to study these terms.
Then, with the civics test, you must exhibit your knowledge of U.S. history, government, geography, and citizen rights and duties. Similarly, the USCIS website offers 100 possible questions that may be asked in your civics test. To pass, you must answer six out of the 10 posed questions correctly. Just some of the questions that you may put on flashcards include the following:
- What does the U.S. Constitution do?
- What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
- What are two of the rights in the Declaration of Independence?
- What is one branch or part of the U.S. government?
- Who is in charge of the executive branch of the U.S. government?
- What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
- What is one responsibility that is only for U.S. citizens?
- What are two of the rights of everyone living in the U.S.?
- What is one promise you make when you become a U.S. citizen?
- When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
We strongly encourage you to retain the services of one of the competent Lancaster County naturalization lawyers. You may do so by scheduling a free initial consultation with Lupton Law LLC today.