Civics Test

[T and M 1]

My wife's citizenship appointment is coming up in February, and she recently began studying for the citizenship test. Her native language is Spanish, but all of our immigration appointments take place in English. Why, then, does the USCIS have Civics Flashcards in other languages? Do some field offices perform the interview in Spanish? Including the civics test?

Also, my wife can write and read a sentence in English...like I say, the interview takes PLACE in English. But what happens if she mis-hears the officer and writes the sentence incorrectly? How many chances does she get.

Cheers all.

[Cuchita 1]

Hello,

The flash cards and material in other languages is because certain qualified older people and people with some disability are allowed to take the exam in their native language.

First they ask you about your personal info and ask you if you are willing to bear arms and etc etc. for the USA. They asked me 10 questions and then made me write the sentence "They work well together.". The lady even made sure I put the period at the end. It is not easy she has to be well prepared.

Good luck!

[Mononoke28 135]

This is true, certain people are exempt from taking the US Citizenship test in English.

This is as per the USCIS web site:

Language

Applicants for naturalization must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language. Applicants exempt from this requirement are those who on the date of filing:

* have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 15 years or more and are over 55 years of age;

* have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 20 years or more and are over 50 years of age; or

* have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects the applicant’s ability to learn English.

The officer will have a small conversation with your wife to make sure she knows enough English to pass the test or not, this is up to them. If they feel she doesn't, they will deny her and she can apply at a later time. So she needs to at least hold a decent conversation in English to pass.

Diana

[T and M 1]

This is true, certain people are exempt from taking the US Citizenship test in English.

This is as per the USCIS web site:

Language

Applicants for naturalization must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language. Applicants exempt from this requirement are those who on the date of filing:

* have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 15 years or more and are over 55 years of age;

* have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 20 years or more and are over 50 years of age; or

* have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects the applicant’s ability to learn English.

The officer will have a small conversation with your wife to make sure she knows enough English to pass the test or not, this is up to them. If they feel she doesn't, they will deny her and she can apply at a later time. So she needs to at least hold a decent conversation in English to pass.

Diana

Mystery solved! Thanks guys! I am constantly giving my wife flash quizzes. "Quick, write this: My dog has lots of fleas. I go shopping at the supermarket. They work well together. Now: read this out loud. And this. And this."

I think the toughest part will be the civics test, which she is currently studying in English. What really bugged me was this: Q: What kind of economy does the US have? Answer: Market economy. Should that be changed now with all the bailouts and nationalizations? Should we call it a "Mixed economy"? I were asked that question, I would probably get deported.

[Mononoke28 135]

Well trust me, most Americans would lose their US citizenship if it depended on how many of those questions they were able to answer correctly.

Diana

[oldahmed 38]

This is true, certain people are exempt from taking the US Citizenship test in English.

This is as per the USCIS web site:

Language

Applicants for naturalization must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language. Applicants exempt from this requirement are those who on the date of filing:

* have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 15 years or more and are over 55 years of age;

* have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 20 years or more and are over 50 years of age; or

* have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects the applicant’s ability to learn English.

The officer will have a small conversation with your wife to make sure she knows enough English to pass the test or not, this is up to them. If they feel she doesn't, they will deny her and she can apply at a later time. So she needs to at least hold a decent conversation in English to pass.

Diana

Mystery solved! Thanks guys! I am constantly giving my wife flash quizzes. "Quick, write this: My dog has lots of fleas. I go shopping at the supermarket. They work well together. Now: read this out loud. And this. And this."

I think the toughest part will be the civics test, which she is currently studying in English. What really bugged me was this: Q: What kind of economy does the US have? Answer: Market economy. Should that be changed now with all the bailouts and nationalizations? Should we call it a "Mixed economy"? I were asked that question, I would probably get deported.

According to your timeline, your wife will take the new version of the naturalization test. In the handout they give you to prepare for the test (or online for that matter) you have all the words that your wife needs to learn. My understanding is that the language test should not be from outside this given list.

P.S. The word "fleas" is not on the list.

[Jasman0717 9]

Whatever happened to the good ol' days of when in America............

[Flames9_RN 358]

I know at my oath ceremony their was 1 gentleman who could not understand English, as a worker had to guide him around and assist him!!!

[T and M 1]

This is true, certain people are exempt from taking the US Citizenship test in English.

This is as per the USCIS web site:

Language

Applicants for naturalization must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language. Applicants exempt from this requirement are those who on the date of filing:

* have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 15 years or more and are over 55 years of age;

* have been residing in the United States subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence for periods totaling 20 years or more and are over 50 years of age; or

* have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, where the impairment affects the applicant’s ability to learn English.

The officer will have a small conversation with your wife to make sure she knows enough English to pass the test or not, this is up to them. If they feel she doesn't, they will deny her and she can apply at a later time. So she needs to at least hold a decent conversation in English to pass.

Diana

Mystery solved! Thanks guys! I am constantly giving my wife flash quizzes. "Quick, write this: My dog has lots of fleas. I go shopping at the supermarket. They work well together. Now: read this out loud. And this. And this."

I think the toughest part will be the civics test, which she is currently studying in English. What really bugged me was this: Q: What kind of economy does the US have? Answer: Market economy. Should that be changed now with all the bailouts and nationalizations? Should we call it a "Mixed economy"? I were asked that question, I would probably get deported.

According to your timeline, your wife will take the new version of the naturalization test. In the handout they give you to prepare for the test (or online for that matter) you have all the words that your wife needs to learn. My understanding is that the language test should not be from outside this given list.

P.S. The word "fleas" is not on the list.

Thank you for that information! That's fantastic! As we are traveling, I just printed out the words from online! My wife now can study specific things instead of the 399,993 words in the English language that you CAN say on television.

[moonhunt 1]

As far as I know, if you fail the civic/English test, you have one more chance to re-test.

If you fail second attempt, your case will be denied.