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Testing Times for Citizenship Applicants

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Testing Times for Citizenship Applicants

Metro Éireann, 21-27 January 2010

By Catherine Reilly

HOW MANY amendments does the American constitution have? The answer is twenty- seven, as if you didn’t know. Where are Geordie, Cockney and Scouse dialects spoken? Tough one, that. And by the way, who was the first prime minister of Canada? Not to worry, that one’s multiple choice. These puzzlers aren’t from the board game of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? but rather are questions asked of respective applicants for American, British and Canadian citizenship.

Many wealthy western countries with histories of major inward migration require their citizenship applicants to prove a basic historical and working knowledge of their nations, and some also test their language ability. Like any exam, learning resources and sample tests are typically available, usually on the countries’ immigration department websites – some even publishing this data inmultiple languages.

The Republic of Ireland has yet to introduce such measures, but in the North, applicants for British citizenship and ‘indefinite leave to remain’ must undergo a ‘Life in the UK Test’ or take combined English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and citizenship classes. Somewhat comically, the UK Border Agency assures candidates that the test can be offered in Scottish Gaelic and Welsh (in Scotland and Wales respectively), so the most integrated of immigrants need not fear. The test lasts 45 minutes, and comprises of multiple choice questions on government, society and practical issues. To pass, an applicant must score 75 per cent or higher. According to statistics released last year, just under 70 per cent of applicants pass the test.

In the US, in contrast, the process seems that bit more daunting, entailing a “naturalisation interview”, during which applicants answer questions on their “application and back- ground” in front of a US immigration official, who also gauges their ability to read, write and speak English. The applicant’s knowledge of “civics”, involving 10 out of a pool of 100 questions on US history (requiring a score of at least six), is also examined. The civics questions are not multiple choice, but on a more accommodating note, applicants are given two chances to pass both the English and civics tests each time they apply.

Authorities in the US have recently issued a revised test, but pass rates for the old one stood at over 80 per cent. Of course, such delicate processes are open to massaging, in a bid to keep successful citizenship numbers at certain levelsAustralia’s test process, which is similar to that employed by the US, attracted controversy last year following complaints that there was obscure sporting trivia and even racist overtones in the test, prompting concerns over its intentions. One sample question asked “Who is Australia’s greatest cricketer? Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Hubert Opperman or Walter Lindrum?” A new test has been implemented in recent weeks, following a review initiated early last year by Australia’s new Labour-led government.

This article was produced in association with the Forum on Migration and Communications (FOMACS)