When people think of the US citizenship test, they usually think only of the civics part – studying US history and how the government works. But here’s something important: You must also pass an English test. Yep, that’s right. To become a citizen, you must show you can communicate in English. That means you must pass three tests: reading, writing, and speaking to get your US citizenship.
For most people, the reading and writing tests are the scariest part of the US citizenship test. And that makes sense – it’s not easy to express yourself in a language that’s not yours. But don’t worry. You can do it. You need to be prepared and study hard.
And that’s what this guide is for – to help you know what to expect and how to prepare for the reading and writing sections of the US citizenship test.
What is the reading and writing test for US citizenship like?
The English test takes place on the same day as your US citizenship interview and civics test. It measures your communication skills in English. That means you’ll be tested on speaking, reading, and writing.
The speaking test takes place during your interview on the N-400 form. The officer will ask you questions about what you’ve written in your application – and while they’re doing that, they’ll also check how well you speak English.
But keep in mind: from the moment you walk into the USCIS office, they’re already paying attention to your English.
The reading and writing sections are usually the first tests on the US citizenship exam. The good news is that this section uses simple, everyday English. You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to show that you can understand and use basic English. Plus the officers know that English isn’t your first language, so if you make a little mistake, it’s perfectly fine. The important thing is that they can still understand what you’re trying to say.
If you don’t understand something during the test, such as a word or question, don’t stay silent. USCIS officers must repeat questions as many times as needed. So don’t be afraid to ask.
How does the reading test work?
For the reading test, the officer will give you a tablet. You’ll see three sentences on the screen, one at a time, and you’ll have to read them. But you just need to read one sentence out loud correctly to pass. So, once you read one sentence correctly, the test ends, and you move on.
Now, they don’t expect you to sound like a native speaker. They just want to see that you understand what you’re reading and can say it out loud.
So if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, but they can still understand you, you’ll pass.
The USCIS even has an official list of vocabulary they use on the reading test. It includes names like “Abraham Lincoln,” places like “United States,” simple verbs like “can” or “lives,” and simple phrases like “father of our country” or “Bill of Rights”.
How do you know if you passed the reading part?
You pass if:
- You read one complete sentence with no long pauses.
- You say all the important words, even if you skip small ones that don’t change the meaning.
- You mispronounce some words, but they can still understand what you mean.
You don’t pass the test if you:
- Can’t read any of the sentences
- Change words in a way that changes the meaning.
- Pause too much, breaking up sentences.
- Mispronounce words so badly that the officer can’t understand you.
How does the writing test work?
For the writing test, you’ll use the same digital tablet you used for the reading test. The USCIS officer will read three sentences in English, and you’ll need to write them on the tablet. You’ll be given a special stylus pen to write with to make it easier.
Important: You can’t shorten or change any words in the sentence they give you.
As soon as you write a sentence correctly, the officer will stop the test. Yep, it’s that simple.
How do you know if you passed the writing test?
You pass if:
- The sentence you write has the same general meaning as the one they gave you.
- You make minor grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization mistakes that don’t change the meaning.
- You leave out small words like “a” or “the” as long as the meaning remains the same.
- You write numbers either as numbers or as words.
You fail if:
- You don’t write anything or write one or two random words.
- You write something completely different from what the officer said.
- What you write doesn’t have the same meaning as the sentence they gave you.
- You shorten or abbreviate one of the words they dictated.
Just like the reading test, the USCIS has an official list of vocabulary used in the writing test.
Are the US citizenship reading and writing tests hard?
Well, I won’t say the reading and writing tests are super easy. After all, you’re doing it in a language you didn’t grow up with or learn in school. And it’s even harder if you don’t use or practice English regularly in your daily life. But it’s also not the hardest test in the world – not even close.
As I said, these parts of the US citizenship test are based on simple English. USCIS officers don’t expect you to speak like a native or write like a college professor. You’ll see basic sentences like these:
Read:
- Who was the first president?
- When is Columbus Day?
- Who lived here first?
- What do we pay to the government?
Write:
- George Washington was the first president.
- Congress meets in Washington, DC.
- The people elect Congress.
- New York City was the first capital.
But don’t take it for granted. You still have to study and practice a lot. This isn’t the kind of test where you want to rely on luck. It may seem easy now, but on the day of the interview, with the nerves, the civics test, and the need to speak English constantly, it’s easy to make mistakes.
So prepare well and give yourself the best chance to pass.
Best tips to prepare for the US citizenship English Test
The best thing you can do is practice, practice, and more practice. Start reading as much English as you can right now if you can. It’ll help you get used to the language and build your vocabulary. And don’t just read silently-read aloud. If you have someone who speaks some English, that would be even better. They can help you correct your pronunciation
. Start with simple things: short news articles, children’s books, or simple stories. The key is to go slowly so it doesn’t feel overwhelming or tedious.
Another great tip is to listen to podcasts or audiobooks in English. You’ll find that your brain and ears will begin to tune into the language over time. This will help you understand English better and learn how to say many words correctly.
As for writing, it’s a good idea to start writing in English as soon as possible. Try writing your civics test notes in English. Or even better, start a little journal where you write about your day, job, or whatever you want.
When you’re done, show it to someone fluent in English so they can help you correct any grammar or spelling mistakes. You can also use a program or app that will proofread your writing.
Keep reading: “How to Pass the US Citizenship Test.“
Practice the US citizenship reading and writing test with Citizen Now
With Citizen Now, you can practice both the reading and writing sections of the English test and study for the civics test. All in one place.
For reading practice:
The app shows you sentences to read aloud. Using your phone’s microphone, Citizen Now listens to your pronunciation and intonation and gives you feedback so you can improve.
For writing practice:
You’ll hear sentences and have to write them down. The app highlights any spelling mistakes so you can correct them right away.
Of course, you can also prepare for the civics test with full practice quizzes.
So download Citizen Now and start preparing for your citizenship test—all in one place.
Does everyone have to take the reading and writing test?
Not really. There are exceptions for the English test. According to USCIS rules, some people don’t have to take the speaking, reading, or writing sections in English. In fact, they can take the civics test and have an interview in their native language.
You may be exempt from the reading and writing test if you meet one of the following requirements:
- You’re 50 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years (this is the “50/20” rule).
- You’re 55 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 15 years (the “55/15” rule).
- You’re 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years.
So, if you meet any of these requirements, good news! You can take your interview and civics test in your native language, and you won’t have to worry about the reading and writing sections of the US citizenship test.
Summing up…
Now you know what the English reading and writing test is like. Not as scary as you thought, right? Still, you need to prepare really well if you want to pass on the first try.
Remember, with Citizen Now, you have everything you need to study for your US citizenship test: the English section, the reading and writing test, and the civics exam.
Good luck!