Immigration officials of the government of the United States recently revealed a revised version of the ‘civics test for naturalization’. This test is needed to be passed by naturalization hopefuls in order for them to attain American nationalities. The test was drafted in 1986 and has remained unchanged since, until its modification by the federal immigration department recently.
Here are some details regarding the new exam:-
Tone
Formulators say that the new test is intended to be more focused on the American spirit rather than civics knowledge, which was the bedrock of the old test. Historians say that the new test is more inquisitive of American democratic and social values and requires an acute understanding of the American dream. Applicants are not required to know about semi-major historical events but need to be acquainted with the contemporary structure and functioning of the American society. Similarly there is more emphasis on the present governmental structure than on the ones that existed before.
Changes
The new test was designed by Citizenship and Immigration Services agency. Overall 100 new questions have been added to the test. The director of the designing agency said that the gist of the new test is ‘what makes an American citizen’. The formulation process took over six years to complete and cost more than $6.5 million, with inputs from representatives of all related institutions such as immigration organizations and political parties.
