What is the required reading level?

The English reading and writing required for naturalization is set at approximately the elementary-school level, equivalent to the basic literacy expected of a fourth- or fifth-grade student in a U.S. school. The standard is functional rather than literary: the applicant must be able to read aloud and write in a way that the USCIS officer can understand, using vocabulary and sentence structures from the USCIS-published M-679 Reading Test Vocabulary List (about 95 words) and M-680 Writing Test Vocabulary List (about 100 words).

The lists cover three categories of content: civics topics (the Constitution, government, holidays, the President, the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, citizenship), people in U.S. history and government (Adams, Lincoln, Washington), and other terms commonly tested. Sentences typically use simple, declarative structures of seven to twelve words: examples include Citizens can vote, The flag is red, white, and blue, Memorial Day is in May, Adams was the second President, and Independence Day is in July.

The reading test asks the applicant to read aloud up to three sentences; one correct reading passes the test. The writing test asks the applicant to write up to three sentences as the officer dictates them; one correct writing passes the test. Minor errors of pronunciation, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation that do not change the meaning of the sentence are not counted as failures; USCIS officers are instructed to apply the standard generously.

The English requirement under section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. section 1423) also includes speaking and understanding, which the officer assesses informally throughout the interview as the applicant answers questions about Form N-400. Applicants who qualify for the 50/20, 55/15, or 65/20 language exceptions are exempt from the reading and writing tests and take only the civics test in their preferred language with an interpreter. Applicants who file an approved Form N-648 medical disability waiver can be exempted from the English requirements for medical reasons.