Scoring Guidelines for the U.S. Naturalization Test
1Created by the Office of Citizenship H v.12_15_21
|
Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides that most applicants
for naturalization demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an
ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language, as well
as a knowledge of U.S. government and history (civics)
1
. This document provides a general
description of how the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Naturalization Test
is evaluated and scored by USCIS Oicers (oicers).
The naturalization test consists of two components:
• English language proficiency, which is determined by the applicant’s ability to read, write,
speak and understand English; and
• Knowledge of U.S. history and government, which is determined by a civics test.
ENGLISH
• SPEAKING: An applicant’s verbal skills are determined by the applicant’s answers to
questions normally asked by an oicer during the naturalization eligibility interview.
During the naturalization eligibility interview, the oicer will review the Form N-400,
Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) for accuracy. Oicers are required to
repeat and rephrase questions until the oicer is satisfied that the applicant either fully
understands the question or does not understand English. If the applicant generally
understands and responds to questions relevant to the determination of eligibility, then
the applicant demonstrates the ability to speak English. The applicant may respond with
simple words or phrases.
• UNDERSTANDING: If the applicant is responsive to questions, directions or prompts
during the naturalization interview, then the applicant demonstrates the ability to
understand English. USCIS Oicers are required to repeat and rephrase questions until
the oicer is satisfied that the applicant either fully understands the question or does not
understand English. The ability to understand English will not be based on being asked to
provide a definition of a word or phrase found in the Form N-400.
1 For information on exemptions and special consideration, please see https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-
e-chapter-2
Scoring Guidelines for the U.S. Naturalization Test
2Created by the Office of Citizenship H v.12_15_21
|
• READING: To suiciently demonstrate the ability to read in English, applicants must
correctly read out loud one sentence, out of three sentences. The three reading sentences
are interrogatives. Once the applicant reads one of three sentences correctly, the oicer
will stop administering the reading test. Applicants shall not be failed because of their
accent when speaking English. The applicant also does not need to provide a response
to the interrogative sentence that they read out loud. A general description of how the
reading test is scored follows:
Pass:
• Reads one sentence without extended pauses
• Reads all content words but may omit short words that do not interfere with meaning
• May make pronunciation or intonation errors that do not interfere with meaning
Fail:
• Does not read the sentence
• Omits a content word or substitutes another word for a content word
• Pauses for extended periods of time while reading the sentence
• Makes pronunciation or intonation errors that interfere with meaning
WRIT ING: To suiciently demonstrate the ability to write in English, the applicant must write
one dictated sentence, out of three sentences, in a manner that would be legible as written
to the oicer. An applicant must not abbreviate any dictated word in the written sentence.
Once the applicant writes one of three sentences correctly, the oicer will stop administering
the writing test. An applicant shall not be failed because of spelling, capitalization, or
punctuation errors unless the errors would prevent understanding the meaning of the
sentence. A general description of how the writing portion is scored follows:
Pass:
• Has the same general meaning as the dictated sentence
• May contain some grammatical, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization errors that do
not interfere with meaning
• May omit short words that do not interfere with meaning
• Numbers may be spelled out or written as digits
Scoring Guidelines for the U.S. Naturalization Test
3Created by the Office of Citizenship H v.12_15_21
|
Fail:
• Writes nothing or only one or two isolated words
• Is completely illegible
• Writes a dierent sentence or words
• Written sentence does not communicate the meaning of the dictated sentence
• Writes an abbreviation for a dictated word
CIVICS:
To suiciently demonstrate knowledge of U.S. government and history (civics), the applicant
must answer six of ten questions correctly. The civics test will be an oral examination. Once
the applicant answers six questions correctly, USCIS procedures require that the USCIS
Oicer will stop administering the civics test. A general description of how the civics portion
is scored follows:
Pass:
• Provides a correct answer. This includes answers that may not be listed on USCIS
study material, but that can be easily verified by the oicer through a web search or by
referring to other tools provided to the oicer
• Provides an alternative phrasing of the correct answer
Fail:
• Provides an incorrect answer
• Fails to respond
If an applicant fails any portion of the English test, the civics test, or all tests during the
initial naturalization examination, USCIS reschedules the applicant to appear for a second
examination between 60 and 90 days aer the initial examination. The oicer will only retest
the applicant in those areas that the applicant previously failed
2
.
2 8CFR § 312.5 Failure to meet educational and literacy requirements. (a) An applicant for naturalization who fails the English
literacy or history and government test at the first examination will be aorded a second opportunity to pass the test(s) with-
in 90 days aer the first examination during the pendency of the application.
