Naturalization Redefined

For the first time in twenty years, the naturalization test to become an American citizen has been redesigned. One hundred new questions, which have been debated over for the past six years, now focus on what it means to be an American citizen, rather than basic facts about the United States' geography and such.
The new test contains such topics as September 11th and Nancy Pelosi. A statement made by Alfonso Aguilar, a senior official at Citizenship and Immigration Services noted, “We don’t seek to fail anyone". For years the degree of difficulty has been debated. The Immigration offices argued that the test was too easy while immigrant representatives took the stance that the old test was too hard. The redesigned test will be put into use on October first, 2008.
In the pilot testings of the new questions, 94% of the immigrants who took it, passed, while the current test only 84% usually passes.
To become an American citizen, one must legally live in the country for five years (three if in the country with a spouse), pass an english proficiency exam, earn a 60% on the Naturalization test, have good moral character and no police record. On top of all the previously mentioned requirements, there is a fee of $675. Despite all of these regulations and constrictions, over 200,000 immigrants have become American citizens over the past two years.