Nearly 120,000 residents across the New York metropolitan area became U.S. citizens in 2024. For those hoping to follow the same path, a higher hurdle is coming. The U.S. citizenship exam is being revised, and instructors across the five boroughs say the new version is more demanding and requires a deeper understanding of American civics.
Across New York, organizations that support immigrants are racing to adjust lesson plans, update study materials, and prepare thousands of aspiring Americans for a test that is no longer just about memorizing answers.
“There's a lot of new material to learn,” said Caton McFadden, a teacher and curriculum developer at Brooklyn Public Library who helps guide immigrants through the naturalization process.
A More Complex Test
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the revisions in September, part of a broader shift under the Trump administration that tightened immigration policies and narrowed some legal pathways to citizenship. USCIS leadership argued the existing test was “just too easy.”
Here are the significant changes:
1. More Questions to Study
Applicants will now prepare for 128 possible questions, up from 100. Many require a deeper understanding of U.S. history, the Constitution, and the structure of government.
2. Stricter Passing Requirements
The civics test remains oral, but applicants must now answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, instead of the previous requirement of 6 out of 10.
3. More Analytical Content
Some questions shift from facts to reasoning. Examples include:
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Why is it essential to pay federal taxes?
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What is the importance of the 10th Amendment?
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Why does the president serve only two terms?
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Why do Supreme Court justices serve for life?
Instructors say these require not only memory, but the ability to explain and express ideas clearly in English.
Mixed Reactions from the Community
Immigrant rights advocates have criticized the changes, calling them unnecessary barriers. The National Partnership for New Americans said the new test “is designed to exclude, not educate,” especially affecting applicants with lower English proficiency.
Their October report noted a recent increase in citizenship denials, rising from 8 percent during the end of the Biden administration to 10 percent in the early months of Trump’s presidency.
New York Organizations Adjust
Despite concerns, New York’s educators and community groups are moving forward.
Brooklyn Public Library is expanding its citizenship preparation course from 11 to 12 weeks, giving students more time to learn the additional material.
The New York Historical Society is revising its curriculum and updating study tools, including flash cards and instructional videos. The organization supports about 2,000 students each year.
Queens Community House highlighted that strong English-language skills may make the revised test easier, especially when questions require explanation rather than one-word answers.
Filipinos in New York and the Path to Citizenship
For many Filipino immigrants, the naturalization process represents stability, opportunity, and a long-term commitment to building a life in the United States. This new test may add challenges, but instructors report confidence in the determination and discipline of immigrant communities.
“I feel really good about our students,” McFadden said. “They are diligent and committed.”
Who Will Take the New Test?
The revised exam applies to applicants who filed for citizenship on or after October 20 of this year.
As the changes take effect, community members are encouraged to stay informed, join review classes, and use updated study resources. New York’s libraries, nonprofits, and advocacy groups remain ready to support every aspiring American on their journey.
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