A 2012 survey of American citizens found that one-in-three of them could not pass the civics portion of the immigrant naturalization test given by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The survey of more than 1,000 voting-age Americans was conducted by the Center for the Study of the American Dream at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The researchers found that native-born citizens did best on questions related to history and geography. They struggled most with questions about the function of government, specifically those questions about the Constitution. They also had trouble when asked to identify current elected and appointed officials.
There was broad confusion about basic principles of the country’s constitutional democracy. For example:
- 85% of respondents could not define “the rule of law.”
- 75% did not know the function of the judicial branch.
- 71% were unable to identify the Constitution as the “supreme law of the land.”
- Only 61% could name the first three words of the Constitution and only 58% knew that the first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights.
- And 63% could not name one of their state’s U.S. senators.
There seemed to be a lack of understanding about the separation of powers — those belonging to the federal government and those reserved for the states. Citizens struggled to name one responsibility of their responsibilites as a citizen (50% couldn’t) or one exclusive right of a citizen (59% couldn’t).
The citizen’s level of education was a strong indicator of passing or failure. People with more than a bachelor’s degree had an 87% passage rate and 82% of those with college degrees passed. Respondents with a high school diploma or less failed the test 56% of the time.
How to Score a Passing Grade on the Naturalization Test
Like most other tests, you need to study. During your naturalization interview you will also take an English and civics test unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver. The English test has three components: reading, writing, and speaking. The civics test covers important U.S. history and government topics. To get all of the materials you need to pass your citizenship test you can access our “Citizenship Study Room” free for one week.
In the “Citizenship Study Room” you will be able to download study materials, take practice tests, listen to the questions that may be asked and watch a video of what the interview may be like. There are no “catches” or hidded costs. This is the same area we have our clients prepare for the test as well. Our clients have unlimited access while preparing for their test, your access will be limited to seven days. If you would like to pass your test the first time, without wasting money on study guides and the like, please fill out the information box below and we will send you your username and password right away.
Good luck on your Naturalization Test!!!