Starting December 1, 2020 USCIS will administer a new, updated version of the naturalization civics test for applicants who apply for U.S. citizenship. Learning and passing a test on American history, government and civic values is a mandatory part of the acquiring U.S. citizenship.

Anyone who applies for the U.S. naturalization before Dec. 1, 2020, will take the current version of the test.

What You Should Know About The New US Citizenship Test in 2020

• This new test is applicable only to foreign nationals who are applying to naturalize as a U.S. citizen on or after December 1, 2020;
• Applicants for naturalization with a filing date before Dec. 1, 2020, are required to take the 2008 version of the civics test. 
• Unlike the current test, the new revised test will include more questions;
• The topics covered will include U.S. history, civics, government bodies and regulations and other varied topics about the United States;
• Just like the current test evaluation, the passing score for the revised test will remain at 60%. Candidates must answer 12 questions correctly, out of 20 in order to pass;
• For applicants over 65 years of age and have at least 20 years of lawful permanent resident status, only 10 questions will be asked. They should answer at least six questions correctly in order to pass;
• Resources to study for the test can be found at the Citizenship Resource Center .

After December 1,2020, USCIS will also provide additional resources for immigrants & Lawful permanent residents (LPRs). This will include information about the naturalization process, eligibility requirements, and study materials to prepare for the naturalization interview and test.

English Test

Every naturalization applicant must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary English usage. This English test will include the following:

Speaking

To qualify for U.S. citizenship, every naturalization applicant must be able to speak and understand English. This is determined by the applicant’s ability to respond to questions normally asked in the course of the naturalization examination. 

Reading

To qualify for U.S. citizenship, every naturalization applicant must be able to read in English. He will be asked to read one out of three sentences, and if correctly read, he passes this portion of the English test.

Writing

To qualify for U.S. citizenship, every naturalization applicant must be able to write in English. The applicant must write one out of three sentences in a manner that the administering officer understands. This should be written without abbreviations. The officer will dictate the sentence to the applicant using standardized writing test forms and if correctly written down, the applicant passes. 

After passing the above tests, immigrants go through an oath taking ceremony after which they are considered U.S. citizens and have the same rights and responsibilities as those of citizens by birth.