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Could you pass a US citizenship test?

Puppycow

Penultimate Amazing
Puppycow
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Jan 9, 2003
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According to the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, only 36% of Americans can score a passing grade on this test (passing is defined as at least 60% correct, a fairly low bar).

https://woodrow.org/americanhistory/

I got 18/19 for 94.7%. A few of the questions are a little tricky so read them carefully. Not really tricky I guess, but make sure you understand the question correctly.

More info:

https://woodrow.org/news/one-state-pass-us-citizenship-exam/

Bonus points if you are not an American but you can pass this.
 
American, 14/19 so technically passed. Didn't recognize Publius, off by one amendment and year of Constitution writing, and entered Wilson when I damn sure should have known better.
 
Not an American - 17/19 (90%)

A few tricky ones in there, mostly filled in by knowledge from Hamilton and reading a lot. I have something of an interest in American history, which helps, particularly when it comes to knowing who was President at a particular time.
 
17/19 - ouch.


I knew I clicked this one wrong - Constitution written in 1787, not 1789. I conflated the Bill of Rights year with the Constitition.


LOL, I mixed up Betsy Ross with Susan B Anthony. Happy Monday Morning.
 
Should historical trivia really be the standard for citizenship, though? How about familiarity with principles of a constitutional republic and representative legislation and all?
 
My NZ brother in-law gave us all his citizenship test at his naturalization party. I scored the highest with about 80%. My wife, a Thai about two years in the country scored 0%. I got a bottle of wine as a prize and she had to wear the Uncle Sam beard to atone.

Ranb
 
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Fun comparison would be how many Americans could pass an equivalent trivia test for any other country. Absolutely any.
 
Thermal said:
Should historical trivia really be the standard for citizenship, though? How about familiarity with principles of a constitutional republic and representative legislation and all?
Click to expand...

I agree. I thought the test had more questions about law and our political organization.

There were 3 I didn't know the answer to.
 
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Thermal said:
Should historical trivia really be the standard for citizenship, though? How about familiarity with principles of a constitutional republic and representative legislation and all?
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. I have no head for dates or history in general. One of my kids is a history junky and we usually try to team up for any trivia based games.
 
Thermal said:
Fun comparison would be how many Americans could pass an equivalent trivia test for any other country. Absolutely any.
Click to expand...

Here are 10 practice tests for Canadian Citizenship and the most recent study guide.

For those wondering - ours is a mix of Canadian History, principles of Canadian government, symbols and geography.

(and in case anyone's wondering of I did Tests 1 and 2 and scored 25/25 for both)
 
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