Kittylicious

It's hard!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:14:47 AM

An even 5500 applicants nationwide were scheduled to take the Danish citizenship test last week, but many did not because they did not realise that the format had been changed.

Previously, the 40 questions for the test had been taken from a database of 200 questions, making it possible to study for the test. But as of a change initiated at the beginning of October, questions are now randomly taken from a 180-page book.

In addition, the number of right answers for receiving a passing grade was increased from 28 to 32 and the time limit reduced from one hour to 45 minutes.

A Danish newspaper gave the test to native Danish students at Copenhagen's Technical Academy to see how they would fare. Only 6 out of 21 tested passed.

'The questions are simply too difficult,' said one student. 'Why should you have to know a bunch of historical things to become a Dane? The test should have more questions about our current society.'

I found a test and decided to try it. I answered 32 questions out of 40 correct, so I would pass, but one more wrong answer and I would have to move.

So all in all it means, that if you want to be a Dane, you need to know more about Denmark than the Danes themselves.

A very special Tuesday morning!!Rub my belly...

Comments

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Dacotah # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:19:06 AM

That's the way it goes here too I think, about knowing more than the citizens.

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:25:07 AM

You have tests like this as well over there, Carol?

Dacotah # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:58:33 AM

I believe so, I've heard that the citizens couldn't pass them if they were to take them. Don't know if they still have it or not but a few years back they did.

Dacotah # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:09:39 AM

I searched some:"Before they become citizens they are required to take a citizenship test and score 80%."
and here are some links I thought you might be interested in.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13442226/
http://usgovinfo.about.com/blinstst.htm
http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/03/27/could-you-pass-the-test-to-become-a-us-citizen-try-it-out/
I'm going to go take the sample tests.

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:17:59 AM

I tried the test on your first link, where it says I need 80% correct answers to make a good American. I had 65%, which means:
65-80%: Hey, you may make a good citizen yet! Look at your wrong answers and a little revision should do the trick.

Thank you for the links, Carol.

Darkogdare # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:19:22 AM

Then it is easy. All they have to do is to read your Nordic mythology posts

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:20:29 AM

I have to disappoint you, Darko. I didn't meet one single question about Norse Mythology.

Dacotah # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:28:35 AM

Darn, 60% on the test from the first link. Guess I have to move.

Darkogdare # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:35:10 AM

Well, you can all move here, I don`t think we have any tests

Dacotah # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:40:26 AM

Nothing like feel stupid abou tyour own country. Ugh!
Thanks Darko.

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:49:20 AM

I guessed a lot during the test you put a link to, Carol. I don't know much about American politics.

Dacotah # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:57:36 AM

Did you pass?

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:00:06 AM

No, I only had 65 % and I needed 80 % - so I guess I'll have to stay here, where I just passed.

Dacotah # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:19:13 AM

Great job on the test.

I think you did great since you said you don't know much about American politics.

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:24:46 AM

Thank you, but it's true that I don't. I had to guess the answer to many of the questions.

Dacotah # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:29:55 AM

You are welcome.

Dark FurieFurie # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:18:22 AM

Any Lego questions?

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:30:34 AM

No. But there are questions about Iceland and what happened with our government during world war II.

Dark FurieFurie # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:48:34 PM

I'd have no chance then. Geography and history are my weak points. Which would probably explain why I've conquered your country three times now yet you're still ruling.

Angelikiellinidata # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 1:57:14 PM

In the USA the application these days (before any approval ) it costs 600 USD the test is an interview and English writing,
the interview usually goes smoothly
(as long as you speak the language)
and the written test is basic English..
What is the most hard it is the Social Studies questions,
a verbal test as well..
suprisingly Americans do not know half of the things a New Immigrant has to learn.
I very much support the need of the language speaking and writing,
the Social Studies (160 questions) I feel are too much for a person that
most probably never use them again or if going to College will end up learning about it anyway...

A very intersting post Zaphira,
thanks for sharing..

Bad WolfCois # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 2:50:29 PM

To become a South African citizen all you need is some cash to bribe the border patrol..

if you don't have that then only some fast legs are required..

Darkogdare # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 3:55:40 PM

Phantom2 # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:19:25 PM

In the US all you have to do is sneak across the border, buy a fake ID, set up a business and work under the table for cash, buy a occupational licence with fake ID, and wait for the next amnesty.

My neighbors yard man came here illegally 15 years ago, has a son getting $850 from SSI for being disruptive in school (they say something is wrong with him)

, and the man even voted in the last election because you don't have to present a picture ID! (if you vote in the right places).

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:24:02 PM

@ Mik ~ You've got to admit I do it good!

@ Thanks for the explanation!

Taking a test here doesn't cost anything, but it's difficult for most foreigners. Since they changed it I think the pass rate is about 10%.
And my point is like yours, they have to answer questions that most of us natives can't even answer.

@ Cois ~ Is it the same if you want to leave the country?

@ Phantom ~ The reason they make it so hard to get to live here is because of our social security system. They want to be sure that people can make a living themselves.

Phantom2 # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:28:22 PM

Unfortunately we're headed in the opposite direction! It gets votes!

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:30:04 PM

It is actually interesting. Here it gets the politicians votes if they keep the foreigners out of the country.

Phantom2 # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:34:52 PM

A can of worms....I'm staying away from that one!

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:36:23 PM

I don't understand what you mean.

Phantom2 # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:38:54 PM

The subject is volatile.....

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:41:33 PM

Ah okay, I get it.

Phantom2 # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:44:08 PM

You know, I'm the Grandson of Danish and Belgian immigrants...we could be cousins!

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:48:30 PM

Wouldn't that be fun if we were?!
I'd love to have an extra cousin!

Phantom2 # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:58:09 PM

OK, I say we're cousin!

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 6:08:43 PM

:yay:

Angelikiellinidata # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 7:19:42 PM

" Norse Mythology"

some time ago Darko was kind to give me a link to your Norse Mythology posts,
needeless to say I enjoyed it immensely! Thanks for sharing

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 8:09:34 PM

I am glad you enjoyed them, Ellinidata, it was great fun writing them. I also discovered some things I had forgotten.

Dark FurieFurie # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 8:20:53 PM

You ever looked into what killed the Norse pantheon belief off, Tils?

KittyliciousZaphira # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 9:03:35 PM

I am tempted to say knowledge, but no, I haven't exactly studied it.
You know, many of the stories from that time was created because people didn't know better, for instance the god of thunder. It is a good story that a big red haired god is driving his chart across the sky, making the thunderous noise.

Dark FurieFurie # Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:33:49 PM

It was Santa.

He killed them.

KittyliciousZaphira # Thursday, December 18, 2008 5:02:58 AM

Santa would never be that mean!

I bet it was you!

Dark FurieFurie # Thursday, December 18, 2008 12:38:06 PM

I'll post about it tomorrow.

It was Santa.

Mad Scientistqlue # Thursday, December 18, 2008 5:30:54 PM

Swaer, you seem to be misinformed.

. Firstly, South Africa has no 'border patroll'. Under the old rule, the borders were manned and patrolled by the SADF (South African Defence Force).
Under the new rule, our borders are manned by the SAPS (South African Police Services).
All ya gotta do to become a legal citizen is pay someone to sneak you across the border. Then you can either buy an ID book in Hillbrow for ZAR50 or you can bribe a Home Affairs government worker to marry you to any randomly chosen South African citizen, thus becoming a citizen yourself. (without you new spouse even knowing untill he/she attempts to get married for real that is.)

Darkogdare # Thursday, December 18, 2008 6:38:07 PM

Suntana # Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:44:49 PM

I think it is deceptive that most current citizens of any country would probably not pass the citizenship test that NEW citizens now have to pass. For instance, I probably wouldn't be able to pass the current USA Citizenship Test right this second. I'm sure at one time, I knew all that crap and would be able to pass the test with flying colors. But, not using any of that material in YEARS, it gets purged from your brain. This goes for any subject. I could take a Chemistry test right now and probably fail, yet I passed it with an A my Senior year in High School.

So, while granted SOME people NEVER knew the material to begin with

... those of us who did know the material at one time, shouldn't freak out and think we're dummies.

KittyliciousZaphira # Friday, December 19, 2008 5:01:26 AM

I agree with you, Sunny. The main question is how much background knowledge is fair to demand? I mean, I can't see the importance in knowing how our government was functioning during WWII. I understand the importance of getting a picture of the culture of the land you are applying for citizenship in, but honestly... these questions are simply too hard in my opinion.

r♡serose-marie # Saturday, December 20, 2008 5:52:39 PM

Heh. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't pass anywhere...

I think it's more important to have knowledge of today's society than during which years a certain king ruled, for instance.

KittyliciousZaphira # Saturday, December 20, 2008 6:28:37 PM

I couldn't agree more. It's nice to know a lot about the culture of the country you want to move to. But I consider some of the questions irrelevant for that.

FlaRin # Tuesday, June 14, 2011 1:23:36 AM

This does not help

KittyliciousZaphira # Tuesday, June 14, 2011 4:16:55 PM

I just took the test, and now I got 39 out of 40 correct.

It must mean that you can only be a good Dane if you're good at guessing.

FlaRin # Tuesday, June 14, 2011 9:10:41 PM

It's like all tests - all you need to do is pass, then you can forget it all

That's what I did with Geography, Maths, the Sciences - almost everything - none of the stuff I was good at in school has *ever* been of the slightest use or significance in my life, not once

Not that I mean forget Dansk, but the actual questions and answers are only important for the duration of the test, is what I mean

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