The natural civics test for those seeking United States (US) naturalisation and citizenship now have doubled the number of questions applicants must answer during their interview from 10 to 20.
Also, the total pool of potential questions have expanded from 100 to 128, and applicants now require a higher passing grade of 12 out of 20 correct answers.
These changes was announced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Wednesday.
The revamp will see the 2025 version of the test more longer and challenging.
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Here are the key changes in more details:
The total pool of potential questions will be expanded from 100 to 128.
Applicants will now have to answer 20 questions during their interview, a doubling from the previous 10.
To pass, a higher threshold will be required: 12 correct answers out of 20, up from the old standard of six out of 10.
Reports highlight that the new exam introduces questions on topics such as Dwight Eisenhower, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, the significance of the Federalist Papers, and the 10th Amendment concerning states’ rights.
The USCIS confirmed that the test will feature approximately 75 percent similar content to the existing exam, with 25 percent new material.
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The test remains an oral examination conducted by the citizenship officer.
This is not the first time the updated, longer test has been used. The USCIS briefly introduced this iteration in 2020 but reverted to the shorter, 2008 version under the Biden administration, citing concerns that the new format could “inadvertently create potential barriers” to naturalisation. The agency has now stated that these concerns were unfounded.
A key difference in this change is that officers will only ask the minimum number of questions required to determine a pass or fail, rather than asking all 20 questions in every case.
Matthew Tragesser, USCIS Spokesperson defended the move, stressing the importance of the changes for “preserving the most sacred citizenship in the world”
“By ensuring only those aliens who meet all eligibility requirements, including the ability to read, write, and speak English and understand US. government and civics, are able to naturalize, the American people can be assured that those joining us as fellow citizens are fully assimilated and will contribute to America’s greatness,” Tragesser said.
He confirmed the extended test is merely the first of many changes, with further details on the naturalisation process to be announced over the coming weeks and months.
