CIS Ombudsman Releases Q/As on New Naturalization Test
Posted Feb 01, 2008
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The Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman's Office has released a series of Questions and Answers (Q/As) on the new naturalization test. The questions are based on eMail messages sent to the CIS Ombudsman by interested persons. The answers provide clarity on the procedures and requirements surrounding the new test. As announced in our October 5, 2007 MurthyBulletin article, USCIS New Naturalization Test and Eligibility for Waivers, available on MurthyDotCom, the USCIS will start administering the new naturalization test on October 1, 2008. Those who apply for naturalization before that date will be given an option to choose between the old and the new test. Individuals applying on or after October 1, 2008, will be required to take the new naturalization test.
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Older Applicants May Be Eligible for Simpler, Modified Test
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The USCIS clarified that the new test guidelines did not change the regulations that allow testing exemptions based on age and time as a permanent resident. Individuals who are 65 years of age or older on the date of filing the application, and who have lived in the U.S. for at least 20 years as Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), are eligible to take a simpler version of the civics examination in the applicant's language of choice. The modified test contains 20 possible questions as opposed to the 100 possible questions from which 10 questions are randomly selected on the test. The 20 questions are among the 100 questions (PDF 341KB) available to the general public as a study guide. They are designated by asterisks (*). Individuals who are eligible for this exception should watch for a USCIS announcement confirming the contents of the modified test.
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Eligibility for Testing in a Language of Choice
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Applicants eligible to take a simplified civics test may take it in a language they choose. There also are two other groups of applicants who may select the language, but not the content, of the test. The first is individuals 50 years old or older who have been LPRs for at least 20 years. The second is individuals who have been LPRs for at least 15 years and who are 55 years old or older on the date of the filing. This is in accordance with the current regulations providing exceptions for some applicants from the English language proficiency requirements. Those who are eligible and choose to take the test in a language other than English must bring an interpreter to the naturalization interview.
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Reading & Writing Vocabulary for New Test Now Available
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The new reading and writing portions of the English language test will focus on civics and history. The USCIS has released the reading vocabulary (PDF 165KB) and the writing vocabulary (PDF 165KB) for both portions of the test. As before, applicants will be provided with up to three chances to correctly read and write a sentence in English.
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Conclusion
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The new naturalization test has taken several years to be fully developed, tested, and implemented. According to the USCIS, it will provide a more objective and fair testing of an individual's civics and English language knowledge and skills, while concentrating on the topics of civics and history. The new test also retains important exceptions for those who are unable to fully prepare for the standard test based on age and other factors.