It's a good thing citizens aren't tested: the new test for becoming a U.S. citizen is a lot harder. Could the average American pass?

• Author: Haberman, Clyde
• Position: NATIONAL

To become an American citizen, you need to pass an exam. It's been this way for a while, but the test just got harder.

In the new exam, the emphasis will shift from facts to concepts. People will be asked, for example, not only what the three branches of government are, but also why we have three branches. The idea is to see whether budding Americans understand the underlying principles of our democracy.

"Our goal is to inspire immigrants to learn about the civic values of this nation so that after they take the oath of citizenship they will participate fully in our great democracy," says Emilio Gonzalez, director of the Citizenship and Immigration Services.

This is the first time the citizenship exam has been changed since it was instituted in 1986. Critics had complained that the old exam merely encouraged prospective Americans to memorize facts rather than understand the principles of democracy.

But the new test may be asking immigrants to be better citizens than the rest of us. A Zoghy International poll several months ago showed that 74 percent of Americans knew the Three Stooges (Larry, Curly, and Moe), but only 42 percent could list the three branches of the U.S. government (executive, legislative, and judicial).

A mere 24 percent of Americans could name two U.S. Supreme Court Justices, while 77 percent could name two of Snow White's seven dwarfs.

Presumably, those taking the new test will be better prepared than those who were polled.

MORE PRINCIPLES, FEWER FACTS

Here are some sample questions from the new citizenship test. Answers [some questions have more than one correct answer] are on p. 30.

1. Name one important idea found in the Declaration of Independence.

2. What type of economic system does the United States have?

3. Why do we have three branches of government?

4. Name two rights of everyone living in the U.S.

5. Name one thing only the federal government can do.

6. Name one of the writers of the Federalist Papers.

7. What territory...