On 22nd February, 2021, USCIS announced that it would no longer be using the 2020 citizenship test and instead reverting back to the 2008 version commencing Monday 1st March 2021.
Despite the new revised 2020 Civic Test only being implemented a few months ago on 1st December 2020, USCIS determined that it had created a potential barrier to the Naturalization Process. President Biden in his Executive Order on “Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems” directed a comprehensive review of the naturalization process and USCIS has stated that they are committed to administering a test that is an instrument of civic learning and fosters civic integration as part of the test preparation Process.
2008 Version – The Civics Test is an oral test. The USCIS officer will ask you up to 10 questions from the list of 100 civics test questions. You must answer 6 questions correctly to pass the 2008 version.
· Applicants who filed their N-400 prior to 1st December, 2020 will continue to take the 2008 civics test at initial exam, re-exam or N-336 Hearing
· Applicants who filed their naturalization applications after 1st December 2020 and before 1st March, 2021 with an initial interview before 19th April 2021, will have the option to take either the 2020 or 2008 Civics Test at initial exam, re-exam or N336 Hearing.
· Applicants who file their Form N-400 on or after 1st March, 2021 will also take the 2008 civics test at initial exam, re-exam or N-336 Hearing.