U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today it is reverting to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test. On Dec. 1, 2020, a revised naturalization civics test (2020 civics test) was put in place as part of a decennial test review and update process. On March 1, 2021, the test will return to the 2008 version. In its review process, USCIS determined the 2020 civics test development process, content, testing procedures, and implementation schedule may inadvertently create potential barriers to the naturalization process. This new action is consistent with President Biden’s recent Executive Order on Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems, which directs a comprehensive review of the naturalization process to eliminate barriers and make the process more accessible to all eligible individuals.
Applicants who filed their naturalization applications on or after Dec. 1, 2020, but before March 1, 2021, with an initial examination (interview) before April 19, 2021, will have the choice to either take the 2008 civics test or the 2020 civics test. USCIS will notify applicants who are affected by the change. If the initial interview is scheduled on or after April 19, 2021, applicants will take the 2008 civic test. USCIS will also host a public engagement and conduct other outreach activities to ensure applicants are familiar with the different features of each test and which version of the civics test an applicant will need to take, based on the filing date (also known as a received date) and initial examination. Additional information and study materials are available on USCIS’s Citizenship Resource Center page and also at uscis.gov.
