Are You Ready to Become a U.S. Citizen? Here is What You Need to Know

To many, the United States is known as the land of opportunity. When an immigrant first comes to the U.S., he or she may have come on a visa to take advantage of the many opportunities available. However, over time, he or she may decide that the U.S. has come to feel like home and want to make it own officially and permanently.

If that is the case, it is time for that immigrant to consider obtaining citizenship. Although the road to naturalization is not always easy, and it can seem intimidating, it can be done. Some immigrants make it through part of the process, but never finish before they face the citizenship test. If that is your situation, there are things you can do now to prepare for the test.

What to Expect

The test will have two parts. The first section will focus on your English language abilities. Do not fear this part of the test if you are not fluent in English because being fluent is not necessary. You simply need to prove that you are proficient in the language. You will have to prove proficiency through reading, writing, and speaking. The skills needed for each section are as follows:

• Speaking: In this section, you will simply have to verify your information. Rather than having a completely separate test, they will ask you to verify certain information about yourself and you will have to answer in English.
• Reading: The officer will likely have you read certain sections of your application out loud. They may have you read a sentence that focuses on history or civic topics, as well.
• Writing: You will likely be asked to write a couple of simple sentences to show your proficiency in this area. These sentences will likely include civic and history topics, as well.

The second section of the test is the civics test, which will involve about 10 questions regarding U.S. government and history. There are sample tests on the internet that you can use to study and various sources that can help you study ahead of time for this test.

What to Expect During the Civics Test

First of all, the civics test is not a multiple-choice test. During your naturalization interview, the USCIS officer may ask you up to 10 questions from a list of 100 questions. You will be asked these questions in English. You are required to answer at least six of the 10 questions correctly to pass the test.

Does Everyone Have to Take the Exam, and What if I Fail?

Some applicants, due to their age or the amount of time they have spent as a permanent resident, are not required to meet the English criteria for naturalization and may be allowed to take the civics exam in a language of their choice.

Each time you apply for citizenship, you will have two opportunities to take the civics and English tests. If you fail either portion of the test during your initial interview, you will be allowed to retest on the portion you failed within the next 60 to 90 days.

Seeking Assistance

If you have reached the point that you are ready to become a U.S. citizen, it is likely a very important step for you. Taking the tests above is one of the final steps you will have to face to become a naturalized citizen. Because of the importance of the exam, you will want to be prepared for the test. Consulting with an experienced immigration attorney can help you ensure that you are prepared and taking the necessary steps to reach your goal.

The attorneys at Joseph & Hall P.C. have the education and resources needed to be sure that you reach your goals and obtain naturalization. They have helped hundreds of people just like you. Contact them today to schedule a consultation so you can be certain that you are taking all of the necessary steps to reach your goal.