One key stage in the process of applying for U.S. citizenship is passing two exams at the naturalization interview. It is vital to understand what these tests cover, how to study for them, and the possible exceptions there may be to taking these tests. While an immigration lawyer can best prepare you for your tests and naturalization interview, here is a general overview of what you can expect from these exams.

The U.S. Civics Exam

While this will cover some key information on U.S. history and government, the test will not be comprehensive. In fact, you will get to see which questions you might be asked and the answers to them ahead of time. On the USCIS website, there are 100 questions about U.S. government and history, accompanied by the answers. You will only get asked 10 of these questions, and you need to get at least 6 of these right. At the time of your interview, the official chooses the questions, so you don't know which ones you will get. But you have the chance to learn all 100 possible questions before then. There are two possible exceptions for the test.

One exception is for elder immigrants who:

• Are 65 years old or more, and
• Have lived as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) in the U.S. for a total of 20 years or more

Applicants who qualify for this exception will be given a list of just 20 questions to study (hence the name "65/20" exception). You would still be asked 10 questions, and you have to correctly answer 6 of them. Then there is an exception for applicants who are disabled physical or mentally. To get this exception, a doctor needs to complete form N-648 to detail:

• What the disability is, and
• How the disability hinders you from understanding the ideas in the civics test

The English Exam

This test is meant for applicants to demonstrate that they can read and speak English. At the citizenship interview, the officer will be speaking to you in English and taking note of your ability to answer questions and follow instructions. You will also need to read something at the interview, as well as write down a sentence as the officer says the sentence to you. You can see important vocabulary you need to know on the USCIS website's section on the English exam. If you still need to grow in your familiarity with English, you could always enroll in an adult school in your area to get better. Then as with the civics exam, there are exceptions for the English test for the elderly and the disabled.

Older applicants have two possible exceptions. One is the so-called "50/20" exception, which means you can have the citizenship interview in your primary language if:

• You are 50 years old or more, and
• If you have lived in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident for no less than 20 years

Then there is the "55/15" exception, which means that you can have the interview and exam in your native tongue if:

• You are 55 years or older, and
• If you have had lawful permanent residence in the U.S. for at least 15 years

Finally, you could have the interview conducted entirely in your native language through an exception for mental or physical disability that hinders your ability to pick up English, such as if you have a developmental issue, deafness, or an illness that requires medicine that exhausts you, etc. Again a doctor would have to complete form N-648 to say what your disability is and how it affects your ability to learn English.

To learn more about the citizenship process, be sure to speak to an immigration attorney today!