US will 'overhaul' the citizenship test: Here's what's new
Share and Follow


Related video: Trump promises to end birthright citizenship. What is it and could he do it?

(NEXSTAR) – America is starting a “multi-step overhaul” of the naturalization process, which will include changes to the test immigrants need to pass in order to become citizens, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Wednesday.

The naturalization test has existed in some form since the early 1900s, USCIS said, and has changed several times over the decades. The test has since been standardized, and the list of possible questions are publicly available so people can study in advance. The questions are not multiple choice, but some questions have multiple correct answers.

The 2025 version of the Natural Civics Test will expand the number of potential questions from 100 to 128. The test will also get longer – citizenship applicants will need to answer 20 instead of 10. To pass, they’ll need 12 correct answers out of 20. (The old standard was 6 out of 10.)

A comparison of the old test questions and new test questions shows new questions about Dwight Eisenhower, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the importance of the Federalist Papers, CBS News first reported. There’s also a new question about the 10th Amendment, which has to do with states’ rights.

The questions are about 75% the same or similar, and 25% is new content, USCIS said.

The test will still be given orally by the officer conducting the citizenship interview.

The 2025 version of the test isn’t entirely new; USCIS switched to this iteration once before, in 2020. But the longer, revamped test was only in place for five months. Under the Biden administration, the agency switched back to a shorter version of the citizenship test from 2008, citing concerns the updated version would “inadvertently create potential barriers to the naturalization process.”

Now, the agency said those concerns were unfounded.

“American citizenship is the most sacred citizenship in the world and should only be reserved for aliens who will fully embrace our values and principles as a nation,” USCIS Spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said in a press release. “By ensuring only those aliens who meet all eligibility requirements, including the ability to read, write, and speak English and understand U.S. government and civics, are able to naturalize, the American people can be assured that those joining us as fellow citizens are fully assimilated and will contribute to America’s greatness.”

The move by USCIS this week essentially reinstates the 2020 version of the test with one key difference: officers will only ask as many questions as necessary to determine that someone has passed or failed. Before, they were required to ask all 20 questions, even if it was already clear someone had passed (or had no chance of passing).

The longer citizenship test is just the “first of many” changes to the naturalization process, Tragesser said. More details on what else is changing will be announced “in the coming weeks and months.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in a scene from

Chainsaw Man’ Anime Film Surpasses Springsteen Biopic and ‘Black Phone 2’ in Box Office Revenue

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The cinematic debut of “Chainsaw Man,” a popular…
Man charged with murder in death of estranged wife found in condo stairwell

Shocking Murder Charge: Estranged Husband Accused in Chilling Stairwell Death

A man from Chicago is now facing charges in connection with the…
US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries brings redistricting push to Illinois; sources say local Democratic leaders not biting

Hakeem Jeffries’ Redistricting Efforts in Illinois Meet Resistance from Local Democrats: Sources

In a strategic move, Illinois Democrats are examining the possibility of redrawing…
A house under construction is seen in Culver City, a neighborhood of Los Angeles on November 21, 2020. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Unlocking the Housing Struggle: Why Los Angeles Tops the ‘House Poor’ List in the U.S.

The affordability crisis in Los Angeles often centers on renters struggling to…
ICE nabs 3-time deported illegal alien charged with assaulting a police officer: 'GOOD RIDDANCE'

ICE Apprehends Repeat Offender Accused of Assaulting Officer

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revealed that Immigration and Customs…
Turning Point USA chapter denied official status by Loyola University New Orleans student government

Loyola University New Orleans Student Government Rejects Official Status for Turning Point USA Chapter

A student government panel at Loyola University New Orleans has refused to…
Humans are evolving like never before... here's what it looks like

Unprecedented Human Evolution Unveiled: Discover the Latest Developments

Recent research reveals that your environment and the people around you may…
Frat house where student was electrocuted in alleged hazing had laundry list of known red flags: report

Report Uncovers Troubling History of Hazing at Frat House Where Student Was Electrocuted

A fraternity chapter at a New Jersey university has been permanently closed…