Many of us assume that we are through with tests and exams by the time we finish school. However, if you hope to become a US citizen by naturalization, you will need to pass the US citizenship test before becoming a US citizen.
There’s really nothing to be nervous about. The naturalization exam is something that you can readily prepare for and pass with a little bit of preparation and work. The US naturalization exam tests your English-speaking abilities as well as your knowledge of American history and civics. This means that you will need to know the basics of American history, language, culture, politics, and government. While this may seem like a daunting amount of information, there are plenty of example tests online, specialized classes that can help you pass the test, and other resources you can turn to in order to pass your citizenship test.
In fact, you have already been preparing for your US citizenship test simply by living in the United States and by learning English. The more you are aware of what is going on around you, in terms of reading the newspaper and being aware of the news, the more you’re preparing for your US citizenship test. Beyond simply living in the United States, there are several things that you can do in order to increase your chances of passing the naturalization exam:
1) Take a citizenship class. There are many citizenship classes designed to help you pass your citizenship test. Some of these classes are online, while others are held at local schools, community centers, or immigration organization offices. Call a local immigration organization or local library to find out about possible classes in your area.
2) Visit the library and check out books about the US citizenship test as well as books about US civics and US history. Citizenship test books are designed to help you pass the citizenship test, while general books will help you learn more about the background of American history and American civics. Look for language-appropriate books. If you are just learning English, find books that are written clearly so that you can understand everything well.
3) Take practice exams. One of the best ways to prepare for your citizenship test is to take practice exams. You can find sample US citizenship tests online, in books, or through the USCIS web site. Taking a naturalization exam in practice helps you prepare for the real thing and lets you see exactly what you need to do in order to pass the test.
