Are you in California hoping to become a citizen of the United States? You will need to schedule an interview at your local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office. During this interview, you will be tested on your ability to read, write, and speak English. You will also be tested on your knowledge of civics.
You will be tested on your language skills
The first part of the citizenship test that you will be required to take will deal with your English language skills. During the reading part, you may be asked to read aloud a few parts of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. During the written part, you will be asked to write out a few simple sentences.
There is also a speaking section of the test. During this part, you may be asked to answer a few simple questions in English about yourself. You do not need to be bilingual in order to pass this test. As long as you have basic skills in the language, you should do fine. An English as a Second Language course may help.
You must also pass a civics test
The citizenship test is a major part of the process of naturalization. The second part of the test will be on topics related to civics. You must demonstrate a basic grasp of United States history and government. You may be excused from this if you have a physical or mental impairment that limits your ability to learn this info.
If you should take the test and fail, don’t panic. A second test will normally be scheduled within 60 to 90 days of your first interview. If you should fail the test for a second time, your request for naturalization will be denied. Preparation for this test is highly recommended.