If U.S. citizenship represents your ultimate goal, you likely know that you will need to pass the naturalization test to change your status from legal immigrant to naturalized U.S. citizen. You should not fear to take this test thinking that it may be difficult. But if you want additional confidence, you have every right to take citizenship classes ahead of time.
Basically, the naturalization test is the means by which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials determine that you understand basic English and fundamental facts about America.
English test
The English test takes place in three parts. The first part, the verbal test, occurs when you go for an interview with the USCIS. Here, the interviewer will ask you questions about yourself and your application for U.S. citizenship. Be aware that the purpose of this interview is not so much to dig into your background as it is to satisfy the interviewer that you understand and can speak conversational English.
The second part consists of a reading test wherein the interviewer will give you a sheet of paper containing three sentences printed in English. (S)he will ask you to read these sentences out loud, and you must read at least one of them correctly to pass this part of the test.
The third part consists of a writing test wherein the interviewer will ask you three questions for you to answer in writing. Again, you must write at least one of the answers correctly.
Civics test
Your civics test will be a printed one. It will contain 10 multiple-choice questions covering such topics as American government, holidays, history, geography, etc. You must answer at least six of these questions correctly.
Retake opportunity
Should you fail to pass one or more parts of the naturalization test the first time you take it, you have the right to retake whichever part(s) you failed. You must, however, do this within 90 days of the date on which you first took the test.