You are a citizen of the United States according to your birth. However, foreigners who reside in the country must apply to become citizens. Each year, some 700,000 immigrants go through the protracted process of naturalization.

Being a citizen of the United States has several advantages. Although the US grants many rights to both citizens and noncitizens, other rights are only available to citizens of the US, such as:

• Only US citizens are eligible to vote in federal elections. Most states also only allow US citizens to vote in the majority of elections.
• Bringing family members to the US: When filing a petition to bring relatives here permanently, citizens typically have priority.
• Citizenship for children born abroad: A child born overseas to a US citizen is typically automatically given that country's citizenship.
• Having a US passport gives you access to support from the US government while you are traveling abroad.
• How to qualify for federal employment: Most government positions demand US citizenship.
• Obtaining elected office: Citizenship in the US is a requirement for several elected positions in this nation.

The desire to obtain US citizenship is widespread. Although the procedure is famously long and difficult, the US citizenship test is often the part that causes people the greatest anxiety. It's so challenging that, according to NBC News, only 36 percent of Americans pass the test. That's almost the same proportion of Arizona State University students who could pass an STD test.

Up to 60 percent of the population is said to have missed some of the fundamental basic questions. For instance, just 39 percent of American test takers can name the number of Supreme Court justices. If you're asking yourself, "Uh, I don't know, like 50...or 12?", you're most likely among friends. You're also mistaken. There are nine. Follow along to learn everything you need to know about the exam because this answer was a freebie, a preamble to what you should expect.

After passing your exam, be ready for a patriotic verse known as the "Pledge of Allegiance", which is recited by Americans as a pledge of allegiance to the American flag and the country as a whole.

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