In order to become a naturalized United States citizen, an applicant must take a naturalization test. This test consists of two parts, an English test that assesses skills in reading, writing and speaking, and a civics test, which measures knowledge of American history and government.
According to the website of the Department of Homeland Security, the test is designed to encourage civic learning and attachment to the country. While there are exemptions for the English portion for the test based on age, the civics test is mandatory for all naturalization applicants. The civics test is an oral test and the applicant must answer six out of 10 questions correctly to pass.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, 91 percent of applicants who take the naturalization test pass.
Here are some sample questions on the civics test: