The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on December 30 in the Federal Register that it will not proceed with the proposed new version of the citizenship test, citing concerns that the pilot testing of the revised exam could impose additional burdens on applicants. As a result, the agency has decided to completely terminate the previously proposed pilot version.
The immigration agency had unveiled plans for a new version of the citizenship test on December 15, 2022, aiming to revamp the oral and civic knowledge sections of the exam, with the implementation planned by the end of 2024.
According to USCIS, over 1,300 public comments were received regarding the redesign of the test, with the majority expressing opposition to the proposed changes. Many believed that the new version of the test would create new barriers to citizenship rather than making the process easier.
The citizenship test consists of two parts: an English test assessing the applicant’s reading, writing, and speaking abilities, and a test evaluating the applicant’s knowledge of the U.S. government and history.
In the current citizenship test, immigration officers verbally ask questions related to the U.S. government and history, and applicants must correctly answer at least 6 out of 10 questions to pass. Additionally, officers inquire about the applicant’s citizenship application and eligibility to test their speaking ability.
In the pilot version, applicants were required to answer 10 multiple-choice questions from four options displayed on a tablet. In the speaking test section, applicants were asked to describe three color images depicting everyday life, such as weather or food.
Critics argue that the pilot version introduced higher levels of reading comprehension and vocabulary skills for the government and history test section compared to the current requirements. The introduction of multiple-choice format demanded test-taking skills that were not previously needed, posing a challenge for adult learners with low literacy rates who rely on oral learning; creating barriers for individuals without formal education.
Regarding the oral section of the pilot version, critics stated that these changes introduced new testing requirements, adding more preparation and tasks for applicants. Compared to the current speaking test, the pilot version provided a less effective assessment of English proficiency.
USCIS has announced that it will continue to use the 2008 version of the current citizenship test.