HUP

I went and did the citizenship test the other day. I had been really busy at work and did not have a chance to do any study for it and you know what I'm glad I didn't waste any time on it.

I read the Citizenship PDF and that was enough.

I was expecting a lot of questions but it's just 20 multiple choice questions. I finished it in 10 minutes (I think you can have an hour. Now this is not a brag because I don't view it as a big achievement but I scored 95%.

Now to prove what an utter waste of time the whole thing is the woman next to me failed. The guy came over and told her she had failed but she could do it again straight away.

Revenue raiser?

Rambi

I doubt it. It probably costs as much to administer it as the fee. Especially as some folks seem to get it half price.

I can't remember why it was introduced but it was a product of the Howard government and it did make getting citizenship more expensive.

EvannTel

I think you're being a bit harsh and not seeing the bigger picture. I'm glad you do so well so easily but as an anglo saxon (I guess) I don't really think the test is aimed at you but it has to be one system for all.

I became a citizen in the days when they let anyone in but now my OH is getting ready to apply. We've read the book and done the tests and I think it s aimed fairly at other nationals whose home country would see Australia's freedoms as alien. I think this is why so much revolves around freedom of government, freedom of speech, equal rights, religious freedom etc etc.
I think its good our other potential citizens are made aware of this "privileges". For us expats it just seems normal.

Buzzy--Bee

I've got my test today. I'm more concerned about filling in all the forms right and having the right ID docs than about the multiple guess test.

BB

isgraham

You took that long? Mine took me 3 minutes including a reread and I got 100%. Prior to going in I heard someone getting the old interview. It sounded much harder than the test.

lonndongeek

Wot he said ^^^^^^

Applying online for citizenship on Monday. Was planning on getting my dentist to sign the ID declaration, but he's a pom and can't apply for citizenship yet. Bloody immigrants!

Cheers

LG

Bikergirl

ColonialCousin

Far from an Anglo-Saxon here, and my experience with the test was akin to that of isgraham. I spent more time going through the admin stuff before hand (show my passport, take photo, blah blah blah) than I did at the actual computer administering the test. Right next to me was a girl with a distinct Nordic appearance (to whom the values and freedoms afforded by Australia are far from alien, one would presume); and she'd been at that test 45 minutes, and was visibly struggling.


That was the intention (apparently, when the Howard Government introduced the test), but any Thomas, Richard, Henry, Muhamad, Habak, Al-Makhtoum could wing the test with more than basic knowledge of English and an iota of common sense.

Exactly which undesireable is the following question keeping from becoming an Australian Citizen?

"Which of the following is a right afforded to all Australians?
a) The right to participate in a peaceful protest against the Government
b) The right to destroy public property
c) The right to participate in violent demonstrations against the Government"

And yes, that was a question in my test, and those were the three alternatives.

If there has to be a test, make it worth something. IMHO, that's about the one thing that the United States does well in its naturalization process. Have potential migrants pass a test relevant to constitution, system of laws, society.

jad n rich

I got citizenship before the test.

So I just went straight to page 34 ( without reading the anything but the index ) did the practice test and got all questions correct.

My main concern with it is anyone with reasonable english language and a bit of common sense should get most questions correct - by guessing.

If you only had basic English or dyslexia you would be at a huge disadvantage.

The most patriotic person, but with basic english could easily fail.

So what are they saying, this is a language test?? Why not just call it that.

DeadVim

Typical bloody Australians, they expect you to sit in a room for 10 minutes and complete an easy test AND THEN they allow you to live in their country.

It's a disgrace wasting my time like this, I have a good mind to go back home.

Red_V_Roger

Was Don Bradman mentioned, the America's Cup or Skippy!

If you have ever been to Parramatta Immi, you know why the test is required otherwise the next thing is road signs in English and Chinese.

DeadVim

That will never happen ...

steve`o

BRILLIANT

JustBecause

When I checked out what the British equivalent to the citizenship test was out of curiosity a few months back I was mortified to discover I would fail it depsite having been a born & bred British citizen for over 30yrs

Charismatic

I’m trying to imagine what they would ask on the British citizenship test?

When joining a company it is traditional to:
a. Be punctual, work diligently and communicate effectively.
b. Join a union and complain about pay/conditions endlessly.
c. Turn up with a hangover and spend all day browsing Facebook.
d. Not bother turning up or even explaining your absence.
e. Form a small group of people with an ideological bent on killing others on weekends.