How to Prepare for Citizenship Interview
The United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the citizenship test, which was redesigned in 2008. The test is primarily oral but includes a written portion. Prepare for a citizenship interview by practicing for the civics, reading, and writing sections at least six weeks before your test. Review your answers to questions on the application, Form N-400, which might be asked during the interview. Criminal convictions will make you ineligible to become a citizen, so avoid criminal activity and obey all laws.
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Things You'll Need
- USCIS practice questions - for the civics, writing, and reading portion
Instructions
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Go to the USCIS website and download free test prep information. Develop a daily study schedule and set aside time to study for each section. Access the complete list of U.S. civics and history questions that the USCIS officer might ask you. The list contains 100 questions and you must answer six out of ten questions correctly.
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Memorize words that you can be asked during the writing portion, all of which are accessible through the USCIS website. Ask a family member or friend to create sentences for you using a word from each column. Write the sentence without referring to the list of possible words--the test assesses your spelling, punctuation and grammar.
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Print the list of words available through USCIS that you can be asked during the reading section. For example, question words include how, what, when, where, why, and who. Learn each word along with its correct pronunciation. Create sentences and questions using words from each column. Practice reading each word out loud.
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Conduct a practice drive from your home to the interview site (located on your appointment notice) to ensure that you know where to go. Arrive on time. Remain confident during the interview and be prepared as soon as your name is called. Most interviews last about 30 minutes. The person that calls your name is the USCIS officer that will adjudicate your case. Each officer has some discretion when deciding citizenship cases. For example, some officers like to ask applicants basic conversational questions like "how are you doing today," and the officers expect an answer. You do not have to speak perfect American English to become a U.S. citizen.
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Practice for the citizenship test in your native language if you have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years and you are at least 50 years old (or 15 years as a lawful permanent resident and older than 55). USCIS provides test prep information in other languages, such as Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Spanish. Take an interpreter with you to the interview who will translate the questions into your native language.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice with family members and friends. Wear business attire Take your appointment notice with you Bring your Lawful Permanent Resident card
You should find out your results at the end of your interview. If you fail the test, then you have an opportunity to retake without paying additional fees.
