Few last minute Interview Questions, coming up in a few days

[letmein 0]

Have interview in few days, would appreciate if anyone can share their thoughts on these:

1. Do I need to memorize the exact dates, A# etc that I filled up on the form N-400? I understand that I need to know the basic/core information but is it a memory test of what I filled up on the form too?

2. During the interview, is it ok to be looking at a copy of the form N-400 that I mailed to USCIS? Kinda like have same resume that the interviewer is looking at in a job interview?

3. How about taking some hand written notes on a piece of paper to refer to during the interview?

4. Spouse's case is simple, she was only asked to bring DL, GC. Should she carry any other documents as well? She is stay at home mom. Should she also carry hte tax transcripts that I ordered for last five years? This is not a marriage based case but primary is employment based GC and wife got her GC as a derivative beneficiary.

I know that one should know the exatc answers to the test questions. One should also know other applicant related "important" information by heart but some of the information on the form is filled up by either looking through old records/passport stamps and to remember that will need extra memorization efforts.


Would love to hear your thougths and any other tid bits for the interview. Thanks

[nightingale 59 0]

My IO read the form out to me with the answers I had put, so you do not need to memorize it. She asked about my trips back to England and about my three children and two stepchildren all of which were listed on the form. They want to make sure the information you put is still correct. She started into the civics questions without saying she wad starting the test which was a surprise, but I had learned all the answers so it was not a problem, then she got me to read a sentence and write the answer, she told me the answer, using the simple words listed in the booklet. She briefly looked at my passports current and expired, my green card and drivers license, interview was over in about 10 - 15 minutes.

[letmein 0]

Thanks nightingale! that puts me at ease..will see how it goes!

[Beata1501 14]

I had all the original documents with me, to be prepared for anything that they might want or ask for. 2 weeks prior to the interview I got a yellow letter with a note to bring my current Driver License and my Passport.

At the interview all the IO asked for was my Green Card and Driver License. Nothing else (but I still think it is better to be prepared).

It started with a civic test questions, then had to read one simple question and write down even simpler answer that was dictated by the IO. Than came questions from N-400 - IO just read them asking if what I wrote there was correct - no big deal. Just like nightingale 59 - my interview took about 15 minutes. I came out very happy with a big smile on my face It was on December 17th 2013, my Oath is scheduled for this Friday

[letmein 0]

Update after the interview:

My experience was pretty much like Beata1501.

Update after the interview:

1. No memorization needed of the information you provided on the N-400 form. The interviewing officer pretty much read all items aloud and was looking for a quick yes or no from the applicant.

2. Didn't ask to see any of the documents I had carried with me except GC, Passport and Drivers license.

3. Asked if I was arrested (I had answered yes to the "have you ever been arrested, cited..." question), Replies no it was traffic violations and all tickets are paid. Asked if I went to the court. this tripped me up little bit. I did go to the court in person but it wasn't that I was being prosecuted etc but to deal with the ticket. I told that IO that I have a printout from the court (it was a printout with court seal embossed on it). He asked if he could keep the original, to which I said sure.

4. He checked with his supervisor and later gave me printout and congratulated me for approval. Now waiting for the oath.

Here's the kicker though: My wife's case was given "a decision can't be made yet". She had her interview before me same day. Apparently her IO said she needs to do "background check" or see "internal files" and she doesn't need to come again and will hear in the mail about her case.

I was expecting that my case will be scrutinized if at all and not my wife's. Hers is pretty plain vanilla, no traffic tickets, no oversesas travels over six months.

Anyone had similar experience about their spouses or their own cases and what happened? How it progressed?