The New Citizenship Gauntlet

In the rotating rooms where hopeful applicants sit before examiners, the future of American identity is being tested. The path to becoming an American citizen will become steeper beginning Oct. 20.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will roll out a revised civics exam, expanding the question pool from 100 to 128 and requiring applicants to answer 60% correctly to earn naturalization standing.

To reach the testing room, applicants must already complete five years of residency, file the N-400 form, undergo background checks and prove good moral character. Each step carries financial and emotional costs long before the final test, making the new revisions an even heavier lift. 

Prospective citizens already know the exhaustion of forms, background checks and language requirements, but the revised test imposes a fresh, new weight which can place an unprecedented burden on people whose lives often depend on this passage. 

For decades, the naturalization exam balanced accessibility with civic rigor. Applicants faced 10 questions from a 100-question bank, needing six correct answers to succeed. The simplicity of the test allowed hard-working immigrants juggling jobs, families and languages a fair chance to demonstrate commitment to their new country. 

The revised exam now doubles the bar. USCIS insists the change better assess applicants’ knowledge of U.S. history and government and align the test with statutory requirements, but critics argue the shift risks turning a gateway into a wall. 

ProLiterary — a research organization focused on adult learning —  notes the new test places a heavier emphasis on history and government, moving away from geography questions, which may disadvantage applicants with limited formal education or proficiency in the English language. The Center for Immigration Studies notes roughly 75% of the content is from the 2008 version, with 25% entirely new, forcing applicants to study both familiar and unfamiliar terrain. 

These additions aren’t small tweaks. They are designed to test perseverance, endurance and access to educational resources deliberately. 

The effect of this change extends far beyond the testing room. Each prospective citizen now faces a test which measures stamina on top of understanding.  Every question demands focus, recall and comprehension under pressure, with a failure threshold lurking at nine mistakes. 

USCIS frames this as a safeguard of civic integrity; however, scholars argue it risks systemic inequality. In a study done by the International Migration Review, researchers show increasing difficulty of citizenship exams often correlates with disproportionate challenges for applicants with lower formal education, particularly those whose first language isn’t English. 

Some advocates counter, saying the tougher test cultivates a more educated citizenry. In theory, an expanded exam encourages deep engagement with the principles of democracy, the functions of government and the lessons of history. 

The argument is restrictive. Citizenship should be earned not only through residence, but through understanding. Research supports this to a point, with a study by the University of California-Berkeley stating applicants who study in structured programs with guided learning tend to retain civic knowledge more effectively. 

Yet, this logic comes at a cost. A requirement which leans heavily on memorization and detail — rather than practical civic engagement — risks creating a test of endurance rather than understanding. 

In an article by the Journal of Literary Research, writer Usree Bhattacharya notes tests of knowledge which emphasize rote learning — memorization by repetition without any elaboration or other deep processing — often privilege those with access to resources and formal schooling while marginalizing those who are equally committed to civic participation.

In other words, the exam may reward opportunity more than dedication, creating a significant barrier for some of the nation’s most motivated immigrants who may not have access to the standards of education, which may be affected by one’s class. 

Still, the stakes remain human. 

Beyond statistics and fancy research papers lie individuals, families and communities who navigate these hurdles in pursuit of a shared dream. The expanded test says American citizenship is precious, yet harder to claim than ever before. 

Applicants will study late into the night, analyzing minute details of constitutional clauses, historical timelines and governmental structures. For those who succeed, the test becomes a badge of honor and perseverance. For those who falter, the implications are sobering as delays or failures may cost years of aspiration and participation.