The Biden administration announced in February that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would revert back to the 2008 version of the U.S. history and civics test required in most naturalization applications. The civics test has long been a landmark to residents applying for citizenship in the United States; the standard exam, part of the naturalization test, went unchanged until recently when it underwent some revisions as part of the Trump administration’s immigration policy. The 2008 version of the test will replace a longer, more stringent iteration approved by the Trump administration in December 2020, referred to as the 2020 civics test. All naturalization applicants will take the 2008 version in 2021. Here’s what to know about both exams and how to interpret this change within the framework of the larger Biden-era immigration policy shift. Last December, the Trump administration introduced a new U.S. history and civics test to replace its 2008 predecessor. The 2020 version increased the number of possible questions applicants had to prepare for from 100 to 128 while increasing the number of questions asked of the applicant during the interview from 10 to 20. The score required to pass the test was 60%, unchanged from 2008, meaning the applicant was expected to get 12 of 20 questions correct. Critics regarded it as unnecessarily detailed and complex and noted that the language of the test indicated a conservative political bias. The 10-question test became available again on March 1, 2021, replacing its Trump-era successor. As always, the civics test is an oral test. The USCIS officer administering the test will ask no more than 10 questions out of the 100 provided on the study guide. Applicants must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test – again, the 60% minimum went unchanged. The USCIS provides a study guide for this test (and its 2020 counterpart) on its website, with links to accompanying audio files of the test questions for applicants to better prepare for the oral component of the exam. The USCIS advises that some answers “may change because of elections or appointments.” Applicants should know the most up-to-date answers to questions of that nature. To accommodate those who filed their naturalization application between Dec. 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021 and may have studied for the 2020 civics test, the USCIS will give those applicants the option to take either the 2020 civics test or the 2008 civics test. The 2020 civics test will be phased out completely on April 19, 2021.2020 civics test: what it was and why it’s out
2008 civics test: what to know and how to prepare
WRITTEN BY
Michael G. Ibrahim, Esq.
Founder & Principal Attorney
Ibrahim Law Office
12+
YRS EXP
3,000+
CASES
150+
REVIEWS
3
LANGUAGES
Contact Us
CONTACT THE OFFICE
(312) 767-8611
info@ibralaw.com
1655 S. Blue Island Ave., Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60608
"If you are looking for an immigration lawyer who gets results without wasting time, look no further. Michael is extremely knowledgeable and proactive. My case was handled with the utmost precision and within the expected timeframe. I am very impressed with his expertise and fast turnaround."
— Verified Google Review
150+ 5-Star Reviews on Google
OUR PRACTICE AREAS
More Immigration Blogs
About the Author
Michael G. Ibrahim, Esq.
Founder & Principal Attorney — Ibrahim Law Office
EDUCATION
DePaul University College of Law
J.D., 2013
Certificate in Public Interest Law
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.A. Political Science & International Studies, 2010
Benjamin Hooks Public Interest Law Scholar
Editor, Journal for Social Justice — DePaul University
BAR ADMISSIONS
Supreme Court of Illinois
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court – N.D. Illinois
U.S. District Court – E.D. Wisconsin
U.S. District Court – E.D. Michigan
U.S. District Court – S.D. Indiana
MEMBERSHIPS
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Illinois State Bar Association
Assyrian American Bar Association
LANGUAGES
English
Spanish
Assyrian Aramaic
Hear From Our
Clients
"One of the top immigration lawyers in Chicagoland. Michael Ibrahim is attentive, supportive, and knowledgeable. One of his best abilities is his availability. He responds to emails with attention and detail, often on the same day. Don't underestimate that in dealing with any immigration matter. He is personable; he does not simply collect fees and treat you like a client but rather like a friend. Your success is his success, and he understands that. If Michael were a surgeon, accountant, or another lawyer in any other field. I would want him. You cannot replicate him.." -Yousef S.
"My wife and I are very thankful for Micheal Ibrahim. Before we hired him, we approached many immigration lawyers over ten years to duplicate documents that were destroyed in a fire. The results were disappointing. Micheal was able to find the lost documents. My wife got her permanent residency. He was always available for us during a stressful time. We would like to thank Michael for his knowledge, professionalism, and expertise. We would definitely recommend Michael for immigration services." -Farzad D.
"Michael took over my case, which had been in immigration proceedings for many years, and I am so glad that he did. He is very professional, kept my husband, and I informed of every step of the process, and gave us the most honest and beneficial advice! Highly recommended for anyone who is in need of a great immigration attorney! Thank you again, Michael!" -Nida F.
