The U.S. citizenship test is an important step for aspiring Americans to gain citizenship. It tests their knowledge of U.S. history and government. There is no limit on how many times you can take the citizenship test if you continue to fail it. However, there are some requirements around retaking the test that are important to understand.
Citizenship Test Overview
The citizenship test consists of two components:
– A civics test with 100 questions about U.S. history and government. Applicants are asked up to 10 questions and must answer 6 correctly.
– An English reading and writing test. Applicants must be able to read and write simple sentences in English.
Both components must be passed to move forward in the naturalization process.
Retake Attempts
If an applicant fails either the civics or English test, they can retake the test(s) they failed. There is no limit on the number of times the tests can be retaken. However, there are some requirements around retakes:
– There is no waiting period to retake the failed test(s). They can be retaken as soon as the applicant is ready.
– The civics test questions are selected from a pool of 100 total questions. Subsequent retake tests will pull from this same pool of 100 questions.
– Retake tests cannot be identical to previous tests. USCIS officers administering the tests are required to use different questions from the applicant’s prior attempts.
– Applicants are allowed to study and prepare between retake attempts. USCIS encourages applicants to study to improve their chances of passing.
Failed Tests and the Naturalization Process
Failing the citizenship test does not automatically disqualify someone from naturalization or reset their application. However, it does pause the process until the tests are eventually passed.
Some key impacts of failing include:
– The citizenship application is placed on hold until the tests are passed. The applicant remains a lawful permanent resident.
– Time spent waiting to pass the tests still counts towards the residency requirements. This 5-year (or 3-year) clock does not reset.
– Once the tests are eventually passed, the naturalization process resumes where it left off when the tests were failed.
– There is no count limit or “strikes” system around failed tests. The tests can be retaken as many times as needed.
Reasons for Failing the Citizenship Test
There are a variety of reasons someone may fail their initial citizenship test attempt:
– Insufficient study and preparation. The civics test in particular requires significant study time to memorize facts, dates, and concepts.
– Test anxiety interferes with performance. The pressure of passing can impair some applicant’s testing abilities.
– Language barriers make the tests more difficult for some applicants, especially the English reading/writing test.
– Unexpectedly difficult questions or requirements beyond the applicant’s current abilities.
– Illness, stress, or life events interfere with the applicant’s focus and abilities the day of the test.
Pass Rates and Statistics
According to USCIS data, national pass rates for the citizenship test are:
– Civics test: 91% pass rate
– English reading test: 97% pass rate
– English writing test: 96% pass rate
This indicates that while most applicants pass, 9-10% of applicants fail their first test attempt.
However, USCIS does not provide data on how many times applicants on average retake the tests before passing. Anecdotal evidence suggests most applicants pass within 2-3 attempts.
Citizenship Test Pass Rates by Year
| Year | Civics Pass Rate | Reading Pass Rate | Writing Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 91% | 97% | 96% |
| 2018 | 92% | 97% | 96% |
| 2019 | 89% | 97% | 96% |
| 2020 | 90% | 97% | 96% |
| 2021 | 91% | 98% | 97% |
This table shows pass rates have remained fairly consistent in recent years, hovering around 90% for the civics test.
Tips for Passing the Retest
If you fail your first citizenship test attempt, here are some tips to pass the retest:
– Study extensively. Review study guides, flashcards, and practice tests. Focus on your areas of weakness.
– Practice mock interviews with the study questions. Have a friend or teacher quiz you.
– Review your previous test results and feedback to understand where you need improvement.
– Manage anxiety leading up to and during the test. Get plenty of rest, do relaxing activities, and use calming techniques.
– Take your time during the test. Don’t feel rushed and make sure you understand each question.
– Ask your testing officer for clarification if a question is unclear. Don’t make assumptions.
– Get help preparing if you struggle with English reading/writing abilities. Enroll in language classes if needed.
Conclusion
While most citizenship applicants pass on their first attempt, failure is not uncommon or prohibitive. If you fail your first test, study hard and don’t get discouraged. Retake the test when you feel ready, and continue retaking it as many times as needed until you pass. Perseverance, dedication, and hard work studying will eventually lead to passing and achieving your goal of becoming a U.S. citizen.