Anyone approaching the Australian citizenship test lately has probably read about or otherwise been informed of the recent changes made to the exam, which attempt to provide slightly more of a challenge to those seeking residential status or a national passport. The move has been criticised by some, and hailed as a long-awaited and necessary improvement by others; though the consensus is not altogether conclusive, it’s clear that the test itself is aimed at demanding more from potential citizens. The primary change consists of the new rules for incorrect answers. While in the past, it was possible to pass the test with up to eight of twenty questions ñor forty percent of the total test– answered incorrectly, test takers now have a limit of five incorrect answers before receiving a failing mark. Though this might not seem like a major change on the surface, the three question difference may be responsible for sending a significant amount of test takers back to the studying process.
Most test takers, however, will find a great improvement in the test by way of a publicly available booklet that outlines all of the information that will appear on the test in a single, twenty page section. The booklet is also equipped with extra background data on Australia’s history, culture, and other points that may be good to know for understanding and incorporating with the country. Mastering the new Australian citizenship test is largely a matter of understanding and being able to recall the information outlined in this booklet, but completing this process may be impractical for those with limited time. In such cases, using a study aid such as specialty software or practice tests can help minimise the time needed to achieve a firm grasp on the possible test questions and their answers.
Whether or not a study aid product is used, however, putting a fair amount of work into test preparation will help build confidence, which is an essential component of mastering any test and which can go a long way towards helping new Australians secure their citizenship. The idea that the new test has been made harder might be intimidating to some, but realizing that all the information needed has been studied and understood, and preserving faith in one’s own ability to succeed, can help create not only basic passing scores, but scores which would serve well on test of an even higher degree of difficulty.
The satisfaction that’s bound to come from successfully completing the test, along the the relief of having the task finished, can help migrants get extra enjoyment out of their new ties to the country. Approaching the concept of a harder test as an opportunity for the additional gaining of knowledge, and a higher standard of presenting one’s fitness for Australian citizenship, rather than as a burden, will help make the experience more successful and pleasant for test takers in every situation.
It is reasonable to expect that everybody should know what is asked at the test, yet many of my Australian friends are unable to answer most of the test questions. How is that fair.
When will the test materials available in other languages? The govt site says it’s being done. My mother needs the Portuguese version asap!
I don’t think the test is that hard. It’s hard for those who refuse to have even a smallest interest in the country that gave them everything. Shame.
Sonya, there is a difference between having interest in your country and having to pass a test to deserve its passport! The issue is not the knowledge, but the very idea of testing.
Basically, if you were born in Australia before 1986, you don’t have to do the test, you are an Australian citizen. So if your “Aussie friends” don’t know the answers, tough, it doesn’t matter. They attained it by birth. Not fair. Then tough luck. Go back home.
Nothing can be achieved without hard work and there is no short cut in gaining Australian citizenship test. As time evolves citizenship test to gets changed and in this uncertain period of many extreme incidents happening because of people using citizenship against the new homeland, its good for the genuine test takers.
To make everyone understand the real scope of becoming Australian Citizenship, the government updates the quessionaires from time to time. By doing so the government try to eliminate the unscrupulous entrant from getting through the test.
Being of national interest and safety, it’s a welcome sign to have this small but significant change in the test paper. As this test is more important than any other academic exam, one has to apply mind and concentrate more on studying to pass the Citizenship test.