US Citizenship Test Reverts To 2008 Version
/The naturalization process will now be easier. The administration of US President Joe Biden announced a return to a simpler version of the 2008 test. The process takes effect on March 1.
The test is required for anyone applying for US citizenship by naturalization. The questions cover the foundations of the history, principles, and forms of government of the United States of America.
The previous test was implemented by USCIS on December 1, 2020. An additional 28 questions were included (and the total number of questions increased to 128). As for the correct answers to the multiple-choice questions, they had political and ideological overtones.
“This action is consistent with the framework of the Executive Order on Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems, which directs a comprehensive review of the naturalization process to eliminate barriers and make the process more accessible to all eligible individuals,” USCIS said in a statement.
The federal agency is committed to making the process accessible, as requested by the new president. As for the 2008 test itself, it was "thoroughly developed over a multi-year period with the input of more than 150 organisations, which included English as a second language experts, educators, and historians, and was piloted before its implementation".
As for the applicants who applied for naturalization from December 1, 2020 to March 1, 2021, they can choose which test to take: 2020 or 2008 (since applicants could all this time prepare for the previous test).
“There will be a transition period where both tests are being offered. The 2020 test will be phased out on April 19, 2021, for initial test takers. Applicants filing on or after March 1, 2021, will take the 2008 civics test,” USCIS said.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
