U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it will not proceed with a proposed redesign of the naturalization test, citing widespread criticism that the changes would impose unnecessary barriers on applicants.
The decision was detailed in a Federal Register notice published late last month.
The agency had begun exploring updates to the test in 2022 after a review by subject matter experts suggested revisions to improve efficiency and accessibility. However, feedback from the trial phase raised significant concerns that the proposed changes would complicate the process rather than streamline it.
“The objective of the trial was to determine an efficient way to reduce undue barriers to taking the naturalization test, and the majority of the feedback received revealed concerns that the trial version of the test may increase burdens on applicants,” USCIS stated in the notice. “Therefore, USCIS has decided to terminate the previously proposed trial test altogether.”
Proposed changes sparked criticism
The naturalization test, a key step in the citizenship process, includes an English test evaluating reading, writing, and speaking skills and a civics test assessing knowledge of U.S. government and history. The redesign had proposed two major changes:
- Speaking Test: Applicants would have been asked to describe three color photographs depicting everyday life, such as food or weather. Currently, applicants’ speaking abilities are assessed through a conversation about their citizenship application.
- Civics Test: The redesigned test would have replaced the current verbal question-and-answer format with a multiple-choice format. Applicants would answer 10 questions displayed on a tablet, selecting the correct answer from four options.
Public feedback poured in, with over 1,300 comments submitted, most opposing the changes. Critics argued the proposed updates would create new challenges, particularly for adult learners, applicants with low literacy levels, and those unfamiliar with formal education or test-taking.
Concerns included:
- The new speaking test added preparation requirements and tasks without improving language evaluation.
- The multiple-choice civics test demanded higher-level reading comprehension and test-taking skills not previously needed, disadvantaging vulnerable applicants.
USCIS to retain current test
Given the concerns, USCIS confirmed it will continue using the 2008 version of the naturalization test. The decision aligns with the agency’s mission to facilitate access to citizenship while maintaining rigorous standards.
For now, applicants pursuing naturalization can rely on the established process, which requires passing both the English and civics portions of the test under the existing format.
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