Citizenship Question

[hilarya]

I know this is a long ways away, but I have a question. I downloaded the practice questions for the civics test. Will they do the interview in Spanish or English? I know that they are required to read, write, and speak English. I know they will make them translate a paragraph. I just want us all to be prepared because we have been thru so much!

[discoviking]

When I went for my interview this morning, there were two ladies from El Salvador sitting next to me in the waiting room, they were together. One spoke very good english, the other one didn't. The spanish speaking one was called, and a few minutes later, the interviewer came out and asked for a translator. Her friend went in to translate. So it seems that they do conduct the interview in spanish, except for the english test part, of course. The english test for me consisted of writing 'It's a beautiful day outside' on the bottom of the application.

And they were keeping the office open for naturalization interviews only this morning, so we were all there for the same thing.

[aleful]

disco,
probably they were for the personal questions part, but the civics test is in English. Was she an old lady?

Hilary,
the text that they make you write isn't translated, you have to write in English what the officer tell you, just like disco says. They are easy sentences to write. But they want to know if you understand, read and write in English. If not, then it has happened to other people that they have approved one section of the test but have to retest the part that they failed. A person got a letter in the mail that said this.
So having an interpreter there, doesn't always actually mean they will pass the test. Disco do you know if she did pass the test?

[hilarya]

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. I'm making my hubby start studying now.

[hilarya]

Why do they have the study guide in spanish then?

[discoviking]

disco,
probably they were for the personal questions part, but the civics test is in English. Was she an old lady?

She was older, yes.

[Klame1983]

Hilarya... the only way a person can take the exam in spanish is if they're either over 50 yrs old and been an LPR for 20 yrs... or over 55 yrs and been an LPR for 15 yrs.

He can study for the test in spanish, but ultimately he'll have to take it in english, so it really makes no sense for him to study in spanish other than to make sense of what the questions mean.

What they'll do at the interview is ask him 10 questions out of the ones on the study list; they'll dictate a sentence and ask him to write it; they'll have him read a paragraph in english and lastly they'll ask him questions regarding his application in english.

I went through the natz process last yr, so if you have any questions, please let me know.

[aleful]

Klame,
Do you know if and when the new test will be in effect, about studying more that 100 questions? I will be filing for my citizenship around October 2009, in January 2010 it will be 5 years as a LPR.
thanks for all your help

[discoviking]

According to the USCIS web site (just looked it up):

If an applicant for naturalization:

-Applies BEFORE October 1, 2008 and is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview BEFORE October 1, 2008, he or she will take the current test.

-Applies BEFORE October 1, 2008 and is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview AFTER October 1, 2008, he or she can choose to take the current test or the redesigned version.

-Applies AFTER October 1, 2008, he or she will take the redesigned version.

-Is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview AFTER October 1, 2009, regardless of when he or she applied, he or she will take the redesigned version.

[hilarya]

thanks for the info. I will get the english list for him to study then` :)

[JennyM]

I seen the new test...half that crap I didn't know! Make sure you polish up on your history, court systems (branches), and know your Washington Reps!

[USnoiva]

According to the USCIS web site (just looked it up):

If an applicant for naturalization:

-Applies BEFORE October 1, 2008 and is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview BEFORE October 1, 2008, he or she will take the current test.

-Applies BEFORE October 1, 2008 and is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview AFTER October 1, 2008, he or she can choose to take the current test or the redesigned version.

-Applies AFTER October 1, 2008, he or she will take the redesigned version.

-Is scheduled for his or her naturalization interview AFTER October 1, 2009, regardless of when he or she applied, he or she will take the redesigned version.

Thank you for this.....My husband can apply for Citizenship next month via the 90 day rule. I will be sure to file before October.

How long does it take to get the interview/test?

[hilarya]

That test is no joke!

[discoviking]

Thank you for this.....My husband can apply for Citizenship next month via the 90 day rule. I will be sure to file before October.

How long does it take to get the interview/test?

My N-400 was received on May 23, 07. The interview was on Feb 2, 08, so that's 8.5 month's processing time.