Prep for the interview: tests, documents

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

2 minutes ago, randomstairs said:

Lol. You're probably right. Thanks for the advice. 

I'm still waiting for that handwriting sample to see if it is as indecipherable as you claim. 

[randomstairs 293]

19 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

I'm still waiting for that handwriting sample to see if it is as indecipherable as you claim. 

Here. That's with some practice. I'm using my finger to write on a touch screen, not a pen. I suspect a pen would be better...

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

23 minutes ago, randomstairs said:

Here. That's with some practice. I'm using my finger to write on a touch screen, not a pen. I suspect a pen would be better...

It is not bad! Might not be a beauty but it is perfectly legible.

Edited April 12, 2023 by Allaboutwaiting

[randomstairs 293]

Well? Can you read it? 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

Just now, randomstairs said:

Well? Can you read it? 

Can read and understand. 

Certainly not mesmerized by the artistry, but that's not what's at stake here. 😊

[randomstairs 293]

6 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

Can read and understand. 

Certainly not mesmerized by the artistry, but that's not what's at stake here. 😊

Thanks! I'll ask if I can use all caps but should be okay either way. Probably shouldn't have too much coffee that morning.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

5 minutes ago, randomstairs said:

Thanks! I'll ask if I can use all caps but should be okay either way. Probably shouldn't have too much coffee that morning.

Hahahaha.

So far I can safely diagnose you suffer from severe overthinking. 😄

 

And yeah, they'll sure allow you writing all caps - though your cursive has a je ne sais quoi that makes it charming-.

Edited April 12, 2023 by Allaboutwaiting

[TBoneTX 45,023]

1 hour ago, randomstairs said:

Can you read it?

It says either:

"The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog"

or

"Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country."

 

Got it, first try!   

Edited April 12, 2023 by TBoneTX

[TBoneTX 45,023]

10 hours ago, Chancy said:

Do NOT paraphrase answers to the civics questions.  Say the exact answers listed in the USCIS test guide.

The following is the definitive and, verily, the only guide to the civics test:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/382775-mrs-t-b-the-citizenship-test/

[Scandi 4,142]

I wouldn't even call the "English test" where you're supposed to read and write a sentence, an actual test.
The ACTUAL test is when they small talk with you, that's when they know if you're English is good enough or not. There have been cases where applicants have been denied because of poor English, the IO determined that the applicant's English was so bad that s/he couldn't understand what the yes/no questions on the forms meant, and therefore may not have answered them truthfully (or even had someone else answer them for him/her). If when communicating with you, they feel that your English is very weak and that you have a hard time understanding what's being said, they may ask you to define certain words off of the N-400. Just to make sure you understand the questions you have answered. This is how it's possible to get denied for too poor English skills, even if one actually passed the "reading and writing a sentence" part. 

 

Judging by your written English, this will never be the case for you. You will do great. The citizenship interview (and naturalization process just in general) is by far the easiest of all the immigration steps you will ever have to go through. 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Scandi

[Lil bear 4,145]

11 hours ago, randomstairs said:

Thanks! I'll ask if I can use all caps but should be okay either way. Probably shouldn't have too much coffee that morning.

You dont “write” anything for the written test. You listen to the short sentence spoken by the interviewer and you use the tablet /ipad to type the sentence using the on screen keyboard 

[AndrewMc 36]

I just had my test on Monday and it was pretty straight forward, took about 10 mins. 
 

The English tests were pretty straightforward. For the writing I was told a sentence “who was the first president” several times and had to write it down on a tablet. And for the reading there was a sentence on the screen “George Washington was the first president” and had to read it out. Nothing too complicated. 
 

The civics piece was just learning the 100 questions from the official flash cards online, but it sounds like you got that covered. I was just asked 6 and then we moved on to the English reading/writing section. 
 

I took a copy of what I had submitted for my N400 as well as the documents on my letter (passports, birth certificate for spouse, marriage license). But wasn’t asked for any of it. I had to put it all in a box behind me as I did the video interview and was never asked to produce it. Was good to have it, just in case. But it doesn’t seem like they need anything other than what is listed on the letter. 
 

The only thing that took me off guard was questions regarding to the oath itself after I had passed everything else. They asked why I wanted to become a citizen. Nothing too complicated, just didn’t expect to be asked so had to come up with an answer on the spot when I wasn’t really prepared (and probably a little stressed - as it’s a big interview!). But he was overall happy with my answer and moved on to the next questions. 
 

All I can add is maybe just read the room? I read a lot of people’s experiences on here with their interview and said how it was very informal and a friendly chat/conversation. I tried to go into more detail when asked how many children I have. (We have another on the way next month), so I tried to be friendly and let them know, then he shot be down (a little stern) and just wanted to know the facts (as of now). So after that I just gave concise and to the point answers, which moved the interview on quickly, but was very formal. Not bad or anything, just very formal. 

Just wanted to add my experience in case it is of any help to you!

Edited April 12, 2023 by AndrewMc

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

2 minutes ago, AndrewMc said:

The English tests were pretty straightforward. For the writing I was told a sentence “who was the first president” several times and had to write it down on a tablet. And for the reading there was a sentence on the screen “George Washington was the first president” and had to read it out. Nothing too complicated. 

Did you write with a stylus pen or typed using the tablet's keyboard? 

[AndrewMc 36]

Just now, Allaboutwaiting said:

Did you write with a stylus pen or typed using the tablet's keyboard? 

With a stylus pen. I also wrote in capital letters rather than cursive as my witting isn’t the best (added to the fact that writing on a tablet also makes my handwriting worse vs pen and paper too). So I tried to be as clear as possible. 
 

I had to sign a couple of screens too with the stylus and tablet. 
 

Another thing to add - don’t press any buttons on the screen (like accept or continue) unless request to do so! Do exactly as the officer says (e.g.  sign your name, then stop), if they don’t say anything or move the screen on automatically for you, ask before doing anything further. During my interview there was a lot of long pauses (almost uncomfortably so). I just figured they were reviewing my responses or looking through my documents online. But they definitely didn’t want me doing anything unless instructed. 

[KaTpAwZ 0]

That list of papers you're bringing to the interview!  I've never felt so underprepared.. I could prepare them all, but it seems crazy.

They've asked for everything they will ask for, I'm just going to show up, answer 6 to 10 questions, prove I still speak English, even if it is with an accent, and have them move me on my way to the rest of the day off.. I hope. 

 

If they really ask me for taxes......