New citizenship test emphasizes American concepts and values over memorization

Today, the U.S. government will start phasing in a new citizenship test that emphasizes American concepts and values over rote memorization, reports Tony Barboza.

Open-ended prompts asking applicants to describe what the Constitution does or what the "rule of law" is, for example, replace more pointed questions like, "What were the original 13 states" or "Who said 'Give me liberty or give me death?' "(Patrick Henry).

But the much-publicized switch to the new exam has caused anxiety and uncertainty among some immigrants, and advocacy groups have noticed an increase in applications among legal residents who fear that the new test will be more difficult.

Click here to read the rest of the report on new citizenship tests in the U.S.

Click here for more on immigration.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Photo: People wait in line at a Santa Ana citizenship workshop. Some were urging immigrants to apply before Wednesday to make sure they could opt for the old test. Credit: Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Steve Webb]

My students are switching to the new test. Here's a book that really helped them. http://www.libertybook.net