Make the U.S. citizenship test harder

[TBoneTX 46,839]

Ooo.  Reaction?

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Make the U.S. citizenship test harder

 

Currently, a citizen wannabee only has to get 6 out of ten civics questions during the interview portion correct; that's about the equivalent of D-.  That's simply not good enough for those who presume to assume the mantle of American.   Even 7 out of 10 would be forgiving as that equates to about a C, but America begins with A.

Not only must the passing threshold be increased, but the questions need to measure comprehensive civics knowledge, rather than just reward someone with sound short-term memory.  It's simply too simple, even without the plethora of study guides.

The USCIS is conducting a pilot test that replaces oral questions with multiple-choice questions.  That's an improvement because their design requires a broader base of knowledge.  An example can be found here.  [...]

 

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2024/02/make_the_us_citizenship_test_harder.html

[millefleur 5,050]

It always surprized me how lowball the requirements to pass are. 

[TBoneTX 46,839]

  On 2/9/2024 at 7:12 AM, millefleur said:

It always surprized me how lowball the requirements to pass are. 

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True, but, uh, see here...

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

[yuna628 9,812]

Is the citizenship test hard? No. But should it be? Not.. exactly. The fact is many if not most Americans cannot even answer the questions asked, so why should it be any different? For some people, having multiple choice answers could be easier, than having to memorize an exact answer. The fact is, all of us that have been through it with our spouses are relieved that they got through it, and wouldn't want it to be harder for them. Studies show that immigrants-new citizens are even more civic minded, educated about the country, and enthusiastic about being American, compared to those naturally born here.

 

I think where some immigrants have an issue, like my husband for instance, is years of going through the stress and mess of this process, getting to citizenship and realizing "is that it?" It's a weird sort of apprehension, relief, and stages of grief. I reminded him that to become an American, isn't about needing 'pomp and circumstance', ordeal, and fanfare to belong here. Everyone in that room is on a level playing field and deserves to be there and there's beauty in the simplicity. The promise of America is that anyone can be American. Does answering six questions correctly make you any more or any less American? I'm sure many tests have been failed due to nerves rather than not knowing the subject matter. 

[Boiler 46,787]

Reminds me of the Driving License test, mainly general knowledge. Perfunctory.

 

Now I have come across people who seem to have a very limited grasp of the language and wondered how they passed.

[Stein 285]

When 50% of the US citizen population can get 6 of 10 right they can make it harder.

[Pooky 3,857]

  On 2/9/2024 at 3:52 PM, yuna628 said:

The fact is many if not most Americans cannot even answer the questions asked, so why should it be any different?

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To prove that the prospective new citizens are smarter than a Fifth-grader?

[Dashinka 25,361]

Our cousins just passed their N400 interviews.  They are husband and wife that came in 2019 on DVs, so they applied under the 5 year rule.  For some reason one of them was only asked four questions.

 

I do agree, many N400 applicants have a better grasp of US civics than many natural born USCs.  No reason to make it harder at this point.

[TBoneTX 46,839]

Back when, I tested myself on the 100 potential citz questions.  I was mortified to get only 98 correct.

I doubt that skoolchildren today could get more than 20 correct.

[Boiler 46,787]

They would know who all the Kardashians are....

[Dashinka 25,361]

  On 2/10/2024 at 3:38 AM, TBoneTX said:

Back when, I tested myself on the 100 potential citz questions.  I was mortified to get only 98 correct.

I doubt that skoolchildren today could get more than 20 correct.

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Which two did you get wrong?

 

Found this disturbing.  I know it is a bit dated, but it certainly shows the lack of US Civics education here in the U.S. most likely due to the orchestration of the public education system.

 

https://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/political-communication/civics-knowledge-survey/

[TBoneTX 46,839]

  On 2/11/2024 at 11:57 AM, Dashinka said:

Which two did you get wrong?

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That was years ago, and I have CRS disease.  My brain was also permanently corrupted by what happened:

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

[millefleur 5,050]

  On 2/10/2024 at 3:38 AM, TBoneTX said:

Back when, I tested myself on the 100 potential citz questions.  I was mortified to get only 98 correct.

I doubt that skoolchildren today could get more than 20 correct.

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Getting two wrong seems fair, not everyone has an encyclopedic knowledge of everything. 98/100 would still be an A!

[TBoneTX 46,839]

  On 2/12/2024 at 1:26 AM, millefleur said:

Getting two wrong seems fair, not everyone has an encyclopedic knowledge of everything. 98/100 would still be an A!

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Gracias, ma'am, but everyone should know them all.

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Best (worst?) happened when I was quizzing Mrs. T-B. and said, "Name two Indian tribes."

 

Mrs. T-B. [confidently]:  Apache.

T-B.:  Si, and what's another?

[Mrs. T-B. looked blank and scared]

TB. [helpfully]:  When we went to Louisiana, where did we go?

Mrs. T-B. [thoughtfully, then exultantly]:  Casinos... the Casino Indians!