October 2008: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that a new naturalization exam will be administered to citizenship applicants beginning in October 2008.   Current applicants for citizenship will continue to be given the existing test. 

Two Chances to Pass: Applicants are granted two attempts to pass three parts of the exam.  Typically the first examination is given at the Application Support Center when the applicant’s biometrics (fingerprints, photo and signature) are taken.  If the applicant passes the exam, the applicant is not retested at the time of interview.  An applicant will be granted a second opportunity to take any portions of the exam that he or she did not pass.

Fundamental Concepts: The revised naturalization test continues to test on fundamental concepts of American democracy, basic U.S. history, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. It is also designed to promote patriotism among prospective citizens.

Pilot Program: USCIS conducted the pilot during actual citizenship interviews in 10 districts across the country.  Volunteers who participated in this pilot test achieved a 92.4 percent overall pass rate on the first try.

Study Guide: Click here to review the 100 new question and answers, the reading and writing vocabulary lists, a side-by-side comparison of the current and new test and answers to frequently asked questions.

Links:

USCIS New Naturalization Test -  Fact Sheet Jan. 2007

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Redesigned Naturalization Test (301KB PDF)

Redesigned Naturalization Test Informational Brochure (355KB PDF)
A brochure outlining the content and guidelines for the redesigned naturalization test.

Redesigned Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Items (340KB PDF)
List of 100 history and government items for the redesigned naturalization test.

Redesigned Naturalization Test: Vocabulary List for the Reading Test (164KB PDF)
Vocabulary list for the reading portion of the redesigned naturalization test.

Redesigned Naturalization Test: Vocabulary List for the Writing Test (165KB PDF)
Vocabulary list for the writing portion of the redesigned naturalization test.

Content Comparison: Current vs. Redesigned Naturalization Test (264KB PDF)
Side-by-side comparison of the current questions and the redesigned questions.