The new citizenship test in the United States comes into effect

United States.- As of today, October 20th, the new citizenship test began to be applied, which raises the level of demand for Green Card holders seeking to become naturalized as U.S. citizens. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched the 2025 Naturalization Citizenship Test, a more extensive and rigorous version that seeks to more deeply assess applicants' knowledge of American history, civics, and government, in addition to their moral character and legal eligibility. According to the new format, the exam expands its question bank from 100 to 128, and during the interview the applicant must correctly answer 12 out of 20 questions posed by the immigration officer. Previously, under the 2008 test, it was only necessary to answer 6 out of 10 questions to pass.

“Las modificaciones al examen podrían hacerlo más difícil para algunos aplicantes, especialmente para quienes tienen menos dominio del inglés o acceso limitado a materiales de estudio”,

dijo Julia Gelatt, directora asociada del Migration Policy Institute.

USCIS clarified that this new standard only applies to citizenship applications filed on or after October 20, 2025. Processes initiated earlier will continue under the previous version of the exam.

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Exceptions for Seniors

The authorities confirmed that seniors over 65 years old with more than 20 years as legal residents will be able to take an adapted version of the exam, with 10 questions taken from a total of 20, combining items from the 2008 and 2020 tests. The system maintains the pass-fail modality: the applicant must correctly answer 12 questions before accumulating 9 errors. If they fail to pass, they will be entitled to a second chance, but a new failure will result in the denial of their citizenship application. USCIS warned that it may revoke the Green Card in cases where criminal records or legal irregularities are detected, thus reinforcing the control measures over those who apply for naturalization.

“American citizenship is the most sacred in the world and should be granted only to those who fully embrace our values and principles as a nation. This process ensures that new citizens are fully integrated and committed to the country,” stated Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesperson.

The new exam resumes a line of hardening already seen during Donald Trump's first term, when a more complex version of the test was introduced. Subsequently, under the administration of Joe Biden, the 2008 exam, considered more accessible, was reinstated. The 2025 Citizenship Test incorporates more detailed questions about history, national symbols, and government operations, and represents one of the most significant adjustments to the U.S. immigration system in recent years. With its entry into force, the United States takes a new step towards a reformulation of the naturalization process, aimed, according to the authorities, at ensuring that citizenship is granted only to those who demonstrate a deep knowledge and a firm commitment to the values of the country.