USCIS set to implement new citizenship exam

October 24, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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United States Citizenship and Immigration ServiceWASHINGTON D.C. Are you a permanent resident who is now qualified to apply for American citizenship? If so, be prepared to pass a tougher examination which goes beyond memorizing historical facts like in the past.

The federal government has adopted a new U.S. citizenship civics examination which is aimed at forcing future citizens to go beyond history. They must show that they understand the full meaning of being an American citizen.

Emilio Gonzales, director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said the examination will no longer be about how many stars or stripes there are in the American flag or who is the founder of the United States. Its a test that genuinely talks about those things that make America what it is, he said.

Despite fears of some, Gonzales assures that based on the pilot program carried out in the last few months, more than 92 percent of the pilot group passed the test on the first attempt, far higher than the 84 percent under the present exams.
The pilot program tested 142 questions, but the pool was narrowed to 100.

Would-be citizens are asked 10 questions, and an immigrant must answer six correctly to pass the civics portion. The civics questions comprise half of the naturalization test, and the other half is a test of English skills. The test is administered in English, except for longtime residents over a certain age, who can take the test in their own language.
But USCIS officials said the goal of the English portion is to test a working knowledge of the language.

Many of the 42 questions dropped between the pilot testing and the final set of 100 questions were eliminated because they were too difficult linguistically. Retained are key fundamental concepts of citizenship.

The test focuses heavily on the Constitutions road map for a republican form of government and on the division of powers and roles among the various branches and agencies of the government.

The theory is as they study the fundamentals of our history and civics, they will also identify with them and become attached to our country,” USCIS said.

During the next year, anyone who applies for naturalized citizenship will be able to choose whether to take the old or new test. Those applying after Oct. 1, 2008, must use the new test, which was revamped in a seven-year process that cost $6.5 million.

Those who fail the citizenship test may retake it once. If they fail a second time, they must file a new naturalization application.

The civics portion of the test for naturalized citizenship has been revamped to focus on concepts instead of history trivia. Here is a sample of questions that have been altered or added to the exam, along with accepted answers.

What did Susan B. Anthony do?
A: Fought for womens rights.
A: Fought for civil rights.

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
A: U.S. diplomat
A: Oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
A: First postmaster general of the United States
A: Writer of Poor Richards Almanac.
A: Started the first free libraries.

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
A: Vote
A: Serve on a jury.

What is freedom of religion?
A: You can practice any religion you want, or not practice a religion.
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government.

What is one power of the federal government?
A: To print money.
A: To declare war.
A: To create an army.
A: To make treaties.

Some of the altered questions:
Old question:
Name the amendments that guarantee or address voting rights.
New question:There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote.
Describe one of them.
A: Citizens 18 and older can vote.
A: You dont have to pay a poll tax to vote.
A: Any citizen can vote (women and men can vote).
A: A male citizen of any race can vote.
Old question:
Who was president during the Civil War?
New question:
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
A: Saved (or preserved) the Union.
A: Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation).
A: Led the U.S. during the Civil War.

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