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+---- Thread: Should citizenship tests be different? (/Thread-Should-citizenship-tests-be-different)
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Should citizenship tests be different? - Jiggly - 10-15-2016
I once took my own country's citizenship test, and drastically failed, alongside my entire class and the teacher. It usually asks questions relational to popular culture and history, such as when you were invaded by x tribe. As far as I'm aware, the citizenship test in the US is pretty similar in nature. I wonder, can any of you pass your citizenship test in your own country? In the UK statistics state a huge majority will fail.
From the nature of the questions, I found that it's more a memory test than a test of what it's really like to be British (going by my own country's standards). I personally believe a citizenship test should focus more on your values in important issues, such as types of governance etc over your ability to remember dates in history. There are important social standards and values that usually make up what defines a county's culture, over the exact date a bunch of people immigrated there.
RE: Should citizenship tests be different? - mothered - 10-15-2016
I've lived all my life In my country and honestly speaking, If I took the test, I'd fail.
As mentioned above, you've nailed It right here and I believe this applies to most countries:
Quote:From the nature of the questions, I found that It's more a memory test
In fact, I think most citizens would fail In my country- as there's heaps of people who've recently gained citizenship after migrating from their native country. As a result, they're not aware of most (If any) historical background.
RE: Should citizenship tests be different? - Master - 10-15-2016
I have a dutch nationality so I'll fail by default I don't even know language or anything much about the cultural, I moved to the UK when I was 5.
RE: Should citizenship tests be different? - Inori - 10-15-2016
My dad, an American, has lived in Canada for more than half his life and he hasn't taken the test. Not because it's particularly difficult (almost all government-issued examinations here are a joke), but because it's simply not necessary. He's a permanent resident so the only thing he can't do is vote, which isn't a huge deal because our government is more or less guaranteed to be liberal or conservative (which is really neutral and neutral right) at any given time.
If someone was keen on taking it, however, they could easily pass with flying colours. We're required to take a civics course (usually in grade 10), which I did over our week-long spring break in grade 9. The exam was the citizenship test from 2012 (maybe 2013? something close to that) and everyone who paid any attention in the course got at least an 85.
RE: Should citizenship tests be different? - Oni - 10-15-2016
I've taken a fair amount of history/politics courses for my degree. I figure most Americans (including myself) might not be able to pass the, unless they studied, though. That being said, knowing the history of your country is important. The best indicator of the future, is the past and present.
RE: Should citizenship tests be different? - mothered - 10-15-2016
(10-15-2016, 07:37 AM)Ao- Wrote: If someone was keen on taking it, however, they could easily pass with flying colours.
Agree.
As with any test, If you study hard prior to the exam, the probability of a successful outcome significantly Increases. That said, It shouldn't come to the point of having to study for It. It should be second nature for any citizen to know whatever the test entails.
RE: Should citizenship tests be different? - Jiggly - 10-15-2016
(10-15-2016, 07:21 AM)Master Wrote: I have a dutch nationality so I'll fail by default I don't even know language or anything much about the cultural, I moved to the UK when I was 5.
Hey, that's a fair excuse to fail.
(10-15-2016, 07:37 AM)Ao- Wrote: My dad, an American, has lived in Canada for more than half his life and he hasn't taken the test. Not because it's particularly difficult (almost all government-issued examinations here are a joke), but because it's simply not necessary. He's a permanent resident so the only thing he can't do is vote, which isn't a huge deal because our government is more or less guaranteed to be liberal or conservative (which is really neutral and neutral right) at any given time.
If someone was keen on taking it, however, they could easily pass with flying colours. We're required to take a civics course (usually in grade 10), which I did over our week-long spring break in grade 9. The exam was the citizenship test from 2012 (maybe 2013? something close to that) and everyone who paid any attention in the course got at least an 85.
That's pretty interesting. I know that if I'd taken an extensive course in history and british politics I could pass it. But regular high school education doesn't help. They handed out one of the older versions of the test to a whole bunch of different brits, and very few passed. It's not always needed true, depends on your legal status.
RE: Should citizenship tests be different? - pvnk - 10-15-2016
It's pretty difficult to say who should be allowed citizenship and who shouldn't so it is logically consistent that the questions pertain to a certain sense of nationalism. To some, those questions might seem absurd or pointless, but showing understanding and patriotism is often the way countries like to "test" immigrants their passion about becoming someone who contributes to society in a relevant and positive manner. Hypothetically speaking.
RE: Should citizenship tests be different? - Satan - 10-15-2016
According to the practice test on US immigration site, I was 20/20, so...
I mean, if you're going to move to the US as a citizen, at least take time to learn about it and our processes.
RE: Should citizenship tests be different? - Oni - 10-16-2016
(10-15-2016, 09:34 PM)Satan Wrote: According to the practice test on US immigration site, I was 20/20, so...
I mean, if you're going to move to the US as a citizen, at least take time to learn about it and our processes.
Agreed. Even though plenty are ignorant of our history/customs/processes, I don't think that should be the standard for people entering the country.
(10-15-2016, 09:10 PM)Primitive Wrote: It's pretty difficult to say who should be allowed citizenship and who shouldn't so it is logically consistent that the questions pertain to a certain sense of nationalism. To some, those questions might seem absurd or pointless, but showing understanding and patriotism is often the way countries like to "test" immigrants their passion about becoming someone who contributes to society in a relevant and positive manner. Hypothetically speaking.
We wouldn't want terrorists/communists, would we?
