• Civics Exam

    To graduate from high school, Utah law requires that students pass a basic Civics exam. The exam is 50 multiple choice questions derived from the civics test used by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The minimum passing score is 35 correct out of 50 questions. The test score will not have any impact on GPA or any course grades, and it appears on the PCHS transcript only as "Passed." Seniors can take the test as many times as needed to pass before graduation. There is not an option to opt-out of the state’s requirement to pass the Civics exam.

    At Park City High School, students take the exam in their senior-year U.S. Government class.

    Seniors who do NOT have a PCHS Government class (take the course online or at a different school) will be required to attend a scheduled sitting of the Civics exam at PCHS. There will be a minimum of three testing opportunities, one in March (on the day the juniors take the ACT test) and two in May. Other testing dates may be scheduled at the school’s discretion. For testing dates, see the section below.

    If a student transfers to PCHS from another high school, and they took and passed a state-mandated basic civics test, the "pass" must appear on the student’s official transcript from the previous school. If the "pass" does not appear on the transcript, the student must take and pass the exam at PCHS.  NOTE: Not all schools administer a civics exam in their Government classes, so even if the student took Government at a previous school, that doesn’t mean that they’ve passed the civics requirement. This is why the transcript must specifically note the civics exam.

    Study materials, practice questions, and sample tests:
    - Quick Civics Lessons for the Naturalization Test
    - Citizenship and Immigration Services Study Guide
    - Civics Exam Flash Cards
    - USCIS.gov Study for the Test (2020 version)
    - USCIS.gov Study for the Test (2008 version)
    - UEN American Civics Education Initiative

    Exam Dates for the Class of 2023:

    Seniors who have a PCHS Government class in their class schedule will take the exam in their Government class. The following test dates would ONLY apply for students who need to retake the test in order to pass.

    Seniors who DON'T have a PCHS Government class in their schedule will need to take the exam on one of the following test dates, in person. Students (and parents) will be notified by email and/or letter if they need to take the exam. If you aren’t sure, contact the Registrar. There’s no need to sign up for a date, just show up to the test location.

    • December invitation-only dates (Seniors who have completed .5 Government):
      • December 6 - 2:30pm, Room 238
      • December 13 - 2:30pm, Room 238
      • December 15 - 2:30pm, Room 238
    • March 21 - location TBD, testing times are assigned by the student’s last name: 
      • 8:00am - Last names A-E
      • 9:00am - Last names F-Lo
      • 10:00am - Last names Lu-Ri
      • 11:00am - Last names Ro-Z
      • Note: Seniors don’t have classes on this day, so it’s a great day to take the exam!
    • May 9 - 2:30pm, Room 238
    • May 16 - 2:30pm, Room 238
    • May 23 - 2:30pm, Room 238 -This is your absolute LAST opportunity!

    Students need their laptops to take the exam. Laptops should be charged ahead of time, or bring your charger with you. Chargers will NOT be available at the testing location. The exam takes no longer than 45 minutes and will be proctored by a PCHS social studies teacher.

     
    Reference:  USBE Rule R277-700-8, Utah Code 53E-4-205, UEN American Civics Education Initiative