when to take ctizenship prep course

[rclouse 0]

My wife will file for citizenship this coming July. When should she take a citizenship prep course? I figure not right now cause it'll take probably a year before she has the test.

[Ashish 1]

You are probably right that now might be too early. On the other hand the test is changing and I think it involves some writing as well. So if your spouse is comfortable with the English language then starting a month before the interview should be sufficient otherwise you might want to start earlier...

[rclouse 0]

Her English is fine, it's her knowledge of US history and government that needs improvement.

There are free ESL-related citizenship prep courses available in our area, they're typically a three month course. So it looks like she won't need to take it until probably next year since they're so backed up.

Thanks for the info.

[Staashi 371]

We applied at the end of January and my husband's interview is on May 6 - you might want to think about getting her into those classes sooner rather than later.

Good Luck!

[*JG* 2]

A friend of mine had her's about 6 months after she applied. She said it was really easy. 10 basic questions. And, he read her a sentence that she had to write out. That was it. She said the whole thing took maybe a half hour.

[lucyrich 20]

Lucy took one last Oct-Nov, and will be taking her test in May. She's doing some review on her own.

There's a list of 100 questions. They'll pull about ten from that list, and expect you to answer at least 6 correctly. They'll usually stop the test after six correct answers are given.

If you learn the answers to all 100 questions, you'll pass the test.

The test is changing, but the new test is still a list of 100 questions. Many of the new test questions are the same as the old ones, some are slightly rephrased, and a few are completely new. There's so much overlap that someone who studied really well for one test would almost certainly pass the other, without any further preparation. Still, it's probably a more efficient use of your time to study for the actual test you'll be taking.

I'd recommend taking the class soon, and then preparing flash cards with the questions on one side and answers on the other. Then do some brush-up work with the flash cards shortly before the test, to refresh your memory.

If someone feels motivated to study on their own using the materials from the USCIS, a class is not necessary. But it can be helpful, to explain the material, to motivate you to study, and to explain some of the background information, such as how to fill out the N-400, how the interview scheduling process works, what to expect at the interview, etc.

[churipu 4]

If she really wants to take the class because she'd like a personal deeper knowledge then go for it, but I honestly do not think it is necessary for the sole purpose of passing the interview. All she needs to know for that is the answer to the questions she can find in the flashcards, all the truly needed material for civics and citizenship study is provided by the USCIS website here . Also she will get a free booklet/CD to study when she goes for her biometrics.

As far as the redesigned test is concerned...if she plans on applying in july 2008 she can still take the current test if she wants to, btw this is how it is going to work:

If an applicant:

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.

USCIS source

Regardless of whether she wants to go to the class or not, I personally would wait a bit...I would forget everything by the time they gave me an interview, but that would be me.

ETA: when the time comes to file, do not forget to take a look at the Naturalization Guide which has all you need to know about how to prepare your application.

Edited April 9, 2008 by churipu

[rclouse 0]

Cool, thanks for all the replies.

Wow, only four months from application to interview! That's a lot faster than I had heard.