Citizenship and Naturalization: DHS Introduces its Redesigned Test
On September 27, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced a redesigned test for those applying for naturalization to U.S. citizenship. DHS believes that the new citizenship test will provide for a more "standardized, fair, and meaningful naturalization process".
An applicant for U.S. citizenship must satisfy a number of requirements. He or she must legally reside and be physically present in the U.S. for certain periods of time before and during the application process and must also be of good moral character. But an applicant is also tested to see if he or she is able to read, write, and speak English and if he or she is knowledgable about U.S. history and government. The English test and the government test can be waived for certain applicants depending on their age and others who have may have a physical or mental impairment. The redesigned test concerns the U.S. history and government test.
DHS announced that naturalization applicants will begin taking the redesigned test on October 1, 2008 which allows for those already in the process to have a full year to prepare for the changes. It announced the following guidelines as to whether a naturalization applicant will take the current test or the redesigned version: If an applicant:
Applies BEFORE October 1, 2008 and is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview BEFORE October 1, 2008, he or she will take the current test.
Applies BEFORE October 1, 2008 and is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview AFTER October 1, 2008, he or she can choose to take the current test or the redesigned version.
Applies AFTER October 1, 2008, he or she will take the redesigned version.
Is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview AFTER October 1, 2009, regardless of when he or she applied, he or she will take the redesigned version.
