The U.S. citizenship exam consists of questions covering American history, government structure, and civic principles. It's designed to assess an applicant's knowledge of the United States and their commitment to the country's core values. The test includes questions about historical events, foundational documents like the Constitution, key figures in U.S. history, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Honestly, looking at some of the sample questions, they seem quite challenging, and I can imagine many would need to brush up on their knowledge of U.S. history and government to feel confident. It's not everyday information. As for why natural born citizens might struggle, it could be because the education system may not emphasize this information as much, or people might not review it after their school years. Applicants, on the other hand, often study specifically for this test, which could explain the higher pass rates.