2024-03-01 16:35:59
Text: Darcy Borrero
This December 1st, the 2020 version of the civic education exam for naturalization in the United States came into force, where a large part of the Cuban diaspora is concentrated.
Many wonder what changes and what remains current with the 2020 version, which replaces the 2008 version.
A fact of interest to a large part of the Cuban community in the United States is that certain applicants, due to their age and time under “legal permanent resident” status, are exempt from the English requirements for naturalization and can take the exam. civic education in the language of your choice.
Additionally, 65/20 applicants—which is what this exception is called—receive special consideration and only have to study 20 designated test questions. For more information about this and other exceptions, Uscis suggests that applicants consult its Exceptions and Accommodations page.
However, the general rule is quite broad. As part of the interview to verify the applicant’s civic education, the USCIS officer will ask him to answer 20 of the 128 questions available on this exam, of which he must answer at least 12 correctly.
All chosen questions are asked orally without changes to the English portion of the naturalization civics exam, as clarified on the website of the Citizenship and Immigration Services, Uscis by its acronym in the local language, the same one that is due. demonstrate understanding, including the ability to read, write and speak basics.
To do this, a USCIS officer will determine if the applicant’s ability to speak and understand English is sufficient during their eligibility interview on Form N-400, corresponding to the Application for Naturalization. Regarding reading, you will be asked to read aloud a minimum of every third sentence correctly to demonstrate the ability to read in English. And finally, to certify your writing skills in English, you will be tested to ensure that one in three sentences is correctly written.
Uscis also recommends that applicants also consult Volume 12 of its Policy Manual, Part E, on English and Civic Education Tests and Exceptions, Chapter 2, English and Civic Education Tests.
If they do not pass the naturalization civics exam, applicants have two opportunities; that is, they will be retested, only on the portion of the test they failed, between 60 and 90 days from the date of their initial interview.
There are friendly applications that help with preparation for this exam if the person does not have the civic culture and history of the northern nation incorporated. DimeInglés, one of them, offers only 15 minutes of study per day and is free to download.