I filed my N400 (based on 5+ years of marriage plus continuous residency in the the USA) and received the NOA on 07/21/22. I couldn't believe it when I received my interview letter at the beginning of October saying they would re-use my biometrics and with an interview date of 11/03/22 (at the TPA Tampa, FL office). I was very surprised as when I checked "average processing times" via the USCIS for N400 applications processed at Tampa back in July, it was approx. 11 months. And I just checked today and it has since gone up to 15.5 months.
I had one issue when I received my interview letter in that my UK passport was about to expire and I had already sent it back to the UK for renewal, and the "average processing time" for a UK passport meant that it would likely not be back in time for the interview. It ended up being processed much quicker and I got both my new and expired UK passports back well before my interview. That just left me furiously studying the civics questions using the phone app and online resources.
I had my interview today and despite being nervous as heck (I always feared tests/ interviews ever since my school days!), I passed!
The interviewing officer was both professional and accommodating, and also helped put me at ease. Everything went very smoothly, most probably because my case/ application was very simple (no issues, no red flags, no other family involved other than my spouse, everything being done by the book, no citations/ convictions etc.) I was probably worrying myself crazy about trying to remember the 100 Civics questions, but all the studying paid off and I got 6 out of 6 questions right. The English test was an absolute breeze - read out one simple sentence from the tablet, and write one simple sentence on the tablet after hearing it spoken by the IO. Being British and having spoken and written English all my life this was pretty much English 101.
Then it was just being asked questions from the N400 itself and making sure they matched up - Name, Address, Occupation etc., plus about half a dozen or so of those questions at the end of the N400 that ask if you have been involved with dubious organizations or committed serious crimes, and a handful of questions about do you support the constitution, willing to bear arms for the USA if required etc. The IO took some digital photos and also my finger prints (left thumb and right index finger), had me sign a declaration with my name, and that was it. I then was given a USCIS letter stating that I had passed my naturalization interview, and after waiting a bit longer in the waiting area I was given another letter with the date and details of my Oath ceremony in a weeks time (plus a few tick box questions that need to be completed before the ceremony).
The N400 for me was so, so, so much quicker and easier than the K1 and RoC, and I'm still kind of dazed that it happened so quickly. It still hasn't quite sunk in yet to be honest. Maybe it will when I have the oath ceremony next week and officially and legally become a US Citizen.
It's hard to believe that my Visa Journey has reached its destination, and I did the whole process from K1 to Naturalization thanks to the all the guides, moderators and all the contributors in the Visa Journey Forum. Thank you all of you for making this a smooth journey and helping me achieve my goal of marrying the love of my life and also becoming a US Citizen. All that's left is for me to wish everyone else just starting and those already on this voyage a successful and smooth journey also. Bon Voyage!