Are The Citizenship Questions Asked In English?

American Citizenship applicants should undergo a multi-step process. They should

• meet strict eligibility requirements
• file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization with the USCIS.
• get fingerprinted.
• attend interview and answer citizenship questions.

Per US immigration laws, most applicants are supposed to answer certain citizenship questions during their interview. The questions will test the applicants’ English and US government and history (civics) knowledge. All the questions will be asked in English.

Should All Applicants Take The Citizenship Questions?

It will be a difficult task for elderly persons applying for citizenship to prove their knowledge of English or their knowledge of the US government. Hence, the test is waived for certain applicants considering their age and also considering the duration of their permanent residency. There are many persons with medically determinable physical or mental impairment which prevents them from acquiring the required knowledge. Such persons are exempted from taking the test.

Persons above 50 years of age who have been permanent residents for at least 20 years AND applicants above 55 years of age who have been permanent residents for at least 15 years need not take the English test. They should still take the civics test but can take it in a language of their choice.

For elderly applicants above 65 years of age who have been permanent residents for at least 20 years, the English test is waived. Though they still have to take the civics test in a language of their choice, this test will be an easier version and they will be asked 10 questions from a list of 25.

Format of the Citizenship Questions

The test will not be a multiple choice test. Applicants’ civics knowledge will be tested orally. The USCIS interviewing official will ask ten questions from the available set of 100 questions. If one is able to answer at least six out of ten questions correctly, he/she will be considered to have passed the civics section of the test.

While coming to the English section, speaking, reading and writing ability and how well the applicant understands English will be judged at the interview. Three sentences will be given and applicants should be able to read one sentence correctly to let the USCIS official know that they understand the meaning of the sentence. Additionally one is required to write one sentence correctly out of the given three. The speaking ability in fact will be judged by the way one replies to the citizenship questions asked by USCIS officers during the interview. The end result of the test will be decided based on how well the applicant has performed in the citizenship test.

Applicants claiming a waiver of the English proficiency requirement should bring an interpreter. The answers to most of the citizenship questions remain unchanged. Only a few answers keep changing – like the names of persons holding government positions.

Applicants claiming a waiver based on their health conditions should file Form N-648 requesting an exception and this has to be filed along with the citizenship application.

If your case was not approved because your failed the English or Civics test, you can re apply as soon as you think you have mastered enough English or Civics to pass the tests.