After achieving your first dream of living in the United States of America, and after years of learning the new Rules, Laws, Politics, Geography and General Customs and Habits of the country, you are probably waiting to realize your second dream: To become a citizen of the United States of America and hold an American passport.

In order to do so, the US law requires that you live a certain number of years on its territory, at least 3 years, before applying for US citizenship and going through a series of tests that prove your knowledge on everything related to this country starting with English and civics questions.

If it’s time for you to apply for the naturalization test, take the following notes to help you get through your US Citizenship test.

► Which tests are specific

to US Naturalization?

There are 4 tests to learn, three of them are about your attitude to speak, write and read English.

The U.S. citizenship tests are:

English Speaking Test

English Reading Test

English Writing Test

Civics Test

➦ English Speaking Test:

A USCIS officer will evaluate your ability to speak and understand English during your eligibility interview on Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). You will be asked about everything you have answered on this form. So be sure to review and learn your answers carefully.

➦ English Reading Test:

The USCIS officer will test you for English reading ability by assigning you to read a sentence in English. You are allowed 3 sentences and you must read one out of three sentences correctly to pass this test, so practice reading all the vocabulary words and sentences provided in the video below to successfully PASS your test. 

Read and pronounce the reading vocabulary words properly, because the USCIS agent will ask you to read a sentence out loud (this sentence includes two or more of reading words) and, you just have to read it with a good pronunciation, that’s all, it’s pretty simple and easy to do, but if you make a mistake, you will have two more chances.

➦ English Writing Test:

The USCIS officer will test your ability to write in English by writing a sentence in English. You are allowed 3 sentences and you must write one out of three correctly to pass your US Naturalization English Writing Test, so take your Pen and practice all the sentences that may be given to you globally in this video below, to make sure you don’t miss any and PASS successfully this test. 

Read, pronounce and write the writing vocabulary words properly, because the USCIS agent will say a sentence to you (this sentence includes two or more of writing words) and, you just have to write it correctly, remember, a sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a period. If you make a mistake, you will have two more chances.

➦ Civics Test:

The Civics Test includes questions on five topics: History, Government, Geography, Symbols and Vacations.

The civics test (2008 version) takes the form of an interview orally in which the USCIS officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions and would not accept an incorrect response. A candidate must successfully answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly in order to pass the civics section of the naturalization test.

The video below includes the 100 civics (History and Government) questions and answers for the US Citizenship Test, which you should start with because it includes all the general answers to the questions, and you will listen and read to choose the answers that are easy for you to learn and remember.

First example: In question 2 about the constitution, there are three answers, but you will choose only one answer to learn and memorize.

2. What does the Constitution do?

▪ sets up the government

▪ defines the government

▪ protects basic rights of Americans

Second example: In question 36 on cabinet level positions, there are sixteen answers, but you will choose only two answers to learn and memorize.

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

▪ Secretary of Agriculture

▪ Secretary of Commerce

▪ Secretary of Defense

▪ Secretary of Education

▪ Secretary of Energy

▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services

▪ Secretary of Homeland Security

▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

▪ Secretary of the Interior

▪ Secretary of Labor

▪ Secretary of State

▪ Secretary of Transportation

▪ Secretary of the Treasury

▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs

▪ Attorney General

▪ Vice President

If you can’t decide to choose your answers here is a video with easy answers to all the questions, in order for your U.S. civics test.

Now that you have learned all the civics test answers, review your answers in random order this time as they will be given to you on the real test.

To help you study and learn, the following list includes additional US citizenship test random questions and almost everything you will need for your test.

An important update on the 2020 version of the civics test from USCIS: Effective April 19, 2021, USCIS will only admit N-400 applicants to the 2008 civics test at their initial interview, no matter when the application was filed. The 2020 civics test will no longer be offered at the initial interview, but USCIS will continue to provide study materials for the 2020 test to applicants who have the right to choose between the 2008 or 2020 civics test at their N-336 hearing or reexamination.

► General steps to apply

for US Citizenship

👉 How to apply for US citizenship?

You have two possible options to apply for US Naturalization test and filing your Form N-400.

➡ Online: uscis.gov/n-400: Applying online is the easiest and the best way, because you can send and download your documents, pay fees and track your status, all online, receive notifications and updates of your application, change your address as well as applying for your family from the same account after you get your US citizenship.

➡ By mail: Submit the form N-400, photocopies of your Permanent Resident Cards (front and back), plus the Filing Fee for submitting your naturalization application $640 and the biometric services fee $85, (for a total of $725).

You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check or cashier’s check.

You may send other documents that are here.

It depends on the state you live in to determine where you mail your documents.

➽ If you live in: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Mariana Islands, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

P.O. Box 21251

Phoenix, AZ 85036

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: N-400

1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S

Suite 100

Phoenix, AZ 85034

➽ If you live in: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District. Of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode, Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Vermont, West Virginia.

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

P.O. Box 660060

Dallas, TX 75266

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: N-400

2501 S State Hwy 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

➽ If you live in: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania.

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

P.O. Box 4380

Chicago, IL 60680-4380

For FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: N-400

131 S. Dearborn, 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60603-5517

👉 What’s next?

After sending your application, if there are no mistakes in your application and no additional documents have been requested to be sent, USCIS will mail you the first letter to inform you about receiving your application and payment and then after that, the second letter for your biometrics appointment date with the time and place where you will do it.

The USCIS procedure required applicants to be fingerprinted and photographed for a criminal investigation and background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before an interview can be scheduled.

Later, if all goes well, you will receive an appointment notice that will include your naturalization interview date, time, and location.

remember for any appointment bring the letters that USCIS has sent you, you must always present proof of any appointment.

👉 What to bring to your US citizenship interview?

Bring everything you think you might need so you don’t forget anything.

⌧ Bring your appointment notice.

⌧ Bring the birth certificates of your children if any.

⌧ Bring your identity card

⌧ Bring your green card

⌧ Bring all your valid and expired passports and any travel documents issued by USCIS with all foreign travel within the last five years as a permanent resident.

⌧ Bring your marriage certificate, divorce decree of annulment, or death certificate of your ex-spouse if any.

⌧ Bring proof that your current spouse’s previous marriages have ended, in case.

⌧ Bring a copy of the court order that legally changed your name if you have changed it.

⌧ Bring Certified tax returns for the past five years (three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen).

⌧ Bring the original or certified copies of the court order for all arrests and detentions and a proof that you have completed your probation if any.

⌧ Bring proof of your registration with Selective Service if any.

If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 26 bring proof of registration and if you are 26 years of age or older (under 31 years), provide proof of registration (between the ages of 18 and 26) or a written statement explaining why you did not register and a letter from the Selective Service System indicating your status.

If you pass your test, you will receive your naturalization interview results with a congratulation and you can even have your Oath of Allegiance ceremony on the same day if possible.

If not, you will happily leave because the main thing is done by passing your test finally, until you receive your notice of naturalization oath ceremony N-445 with the time and date and probably at the same place where you passed your test.

If you don’t pass your test, you’ll be explained why, and no decision will be made.

When you receive your Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony (N-445), fill out the questions in the back to determine if anything has changed since the day you passed your test (if you were married or traveled ….) and remember that the answers must be valid and accurate up to the day of your ceremony, put in the date of your ceremony.

The time between your test day and your ceremony will not be very far, so try not to change anything in your situation except for something out of your hand and wait until you pass your ceremony and become an American citizen.

Be aware that even if you pass your US Citizen Test, you are still NOT an American Citizen.

It is only after you have passed your ceremony that you will really become an American Citizen because on that day you will turn in your Green Card and receive your Naturalization Certificate.

👉 Oath of Allegiance Ceremony

I can’t explain how it happened, it’s an unexplained feeling, you give back your dear Green Card that was always with you and the N-445 notice, and you enter a big room where tested candidates like you, from different nationalities, well dressed are waiting with their families.

All of us swore at the same time to serve and respect the country that trusted us and gave us the US nationality.

A lovely and unique event like no other.

A feeling of fear, responsibility and warmth of joy at the same time.

You will receive your certificate of naturalization that day.

Don’t let excitement blind you to the fact that everything on your certificate is correct, otherwise inform USCIS right away to fix any mistakes and don’t share a photo of your naturalization certificate.

► Rumor

If you benefit some government aid from your state for yourself or your family, you will not get your US citizenship?!!!!!!

this is completely FALSE!

Government assistance will not prevent you from being an American citizen.

As long as you have received government programs such as those that help pay for food, housing, health care and other basic living expenses, legally and without fraud, it will not affect your eligibility for naturalization.

► Right things

All the resources to review and learn for your US citizenship test are at your disposal, and are in different ways, cards, quiz, questions and simple answers, videos, …

The English test is not as difficult as you think, you need to know the basics, if you are able to understand English and have an answer, discuss the basics, read and write the key words of the tests, it is already enough.

don’t be afraid, you don’t have to be fluent in English to pass, but learn the key words of the tests, writing and reading vocabulary for the Naturalization test with their simple sentences, 100 civics questions and answers in order and random order with easy answers, and everything you filled in the N-400 form fluently.

► Bad things

You only get two chances to pass your test and if you fail once you get the chance for a second time but if you fail again and miss those two chances, your citizenship application will be denied, and you have to start over.

► Advice

⌦ Make a copy of the Form N-400 before you mail it in, to revise it for your oral test or download it if you applied online.

⌦ Don’t miss any appointments (Try)

⌦ On test day, be calm and confident, show up on time, have all your documents ready.

⌦ Don’t talk too much if your English is not perfect, just answer the question so that you don’t get upset and think about how to say a word in English instead of answering the question, answer with the basics.

⌦ Learn your personal information such as your name, SSN, and date of birth…It will be silly to say a wrong letter of your name, for example, at the interview and it can be very costly.

⌦ Civic test answers always remain the same except for those that differ depending on political events in each state and elections, changes can occur a day before your test, so be careful and make sure nothing has changed by following the latest information and events.

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⌦ Don’t just learn the civics test questions and answers, try to understand the history and government of the United States to better learn, memorize and answer.

⌦ Learn about the English and Civics exam using free resources to help you prepare and practice your test with videos, friends, a family member or even with your child who is already attending school.

⌦ Learn and practice, to prove that you deserve to be an American citizen.

► Last Words

Good luck to those who are going to take the US citizenship test and congratulations to those who have succeeded, don’t forget to leave me your opinion and your feeling.

For those who failed a test, don’t be disappointed, because it’s not often that someone fails the whole test, Actually, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t pass.

Think about it: This test is not an issue but just a review of a step you are about to pass to become a U.S. citizen.

Related:

Do You Have to Carry a U.S. Passport or ID for Domestic Flights?