Passing the citizenship test may be the final step in the naturalization process that finally earns you a notification of approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may understandably feel completely depleted when you get word that you failed the English or civics portions of this examination. However, after coming this far, you must not give up hope entirely just yet. Please continue reading to learn what happens in the event that you fail your citizenship test and how an experienced N-400 Application Lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at Sesini Law Group, S.C., can serve as your fierce legal advocate.
What happens if I fail my U.S. citizenship test?
You will likely find out that you have failed your U.S. citizenship test at the immediate end of your naturalization interview. That is, a USCIS officer may give you a Form N-652, Naturalization Interview Results. Rest assured, though, an officer may also help you schedule a re-examination, which will likely take place within 60 to 90 days.
It is worth noting that you may only be required to retake the failed portion of your citizenship test. So if you did not pass the English portion, you may not have to undergo the civics exam again, or vice versa. This is critical information to have as you study for the next two to three months.
What happens if I fail this test more than once?
You must not take your retest opportunity lightly, as the USCIS may only offer you one. And if you fail the U.S. citizenship test again, your naturalization application may ultimately be denied. With that, you must truly study, and not rely on the chance that a USCIS officer will ask you the same questions as last time.
That is, for the English portion of the exam, an officer may ask similar, rephrased questions regarding your N-400 application. However, they will likely pull different, new sentences from the USCIS test bank that you must read and write successfully.
Secondly, for your civics test, a USCIS officer may randomly ask 20 questions out of a possible 128. And so, the likelihood of having any repeated questions is low. Remember, you may be expected to answer at least 12 of these questions correctly to move forward.
Is it possible to appeal a citizenship test denial?
You may believe that you deserved to pass the U.S. citizenship test and that your naturalization denial was unwarranted. In this case, you may attempt to appeal this decision by filing Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings. This must be petitioned within 30 days of receiving your denial notice, or 33 days if filing via mail.
However, if you cannot sufficiently prove that the denial was incorrect, you should not fear. Even though you are only given two chances per application, you may have unlimited opportunities to reapply for citizenship. So, consider filing a separate application after you give yourself enough time to study and prepare for this final, critical step.
There is no shame in asking for help, especially when you are dealing with something as serious as a legal matter that could affect your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. So please retain legal assistance from a skilled US Naturalization Lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, from Sesini Law Group, S.C. We will happily lend a hand.