Free Republic

Just a third of Americans can pass a multiple choice "U.S. Citizenship Test," fumbling over such simple questions as the cause of the Cold War or naming just one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for. And of Americans 45 and younger, the passing rate is a tiny 19 percent, according to a survey done for the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Worse: The actual test only requires that 60 percent of the answers be correct. In the survey, just 36 percent passed.

In order to become a US citizen, immigrants must pass the Naturalization Test. American citizenship bestows the right to vote, improves the likelihood of family members living in other countries to come and live in the US, gives eligibility for federal jobs, and can be a way to demonstrate loyalty to the US. Applicants must get 6 answers out of 10 in an oral exam to pass the test. According to US Citizenship and Immigration services, 92 percent of applicants pass this test. You must get 58 or more of these test questions correct in order to pass.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- To make it more uniform, changes are in the works for the test that asks would-be U.S. citizens about English, American history and other topics. The Homeland Security Department on Thursday began a pilot project in five cities - Newark, N.J., San Antonio, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Calif., and Atlanta.Applicants for citizenship are tested on their ability to read, write and speak English, as well as their knowledge of U.S. history and government. They are asked questions from an approved list, but each testing officer can decide which questions to ask.As a result, the test varies depending on...