There is no single official list of questions. Every consul runs the interview in their own way, but the topics are very similar. The interview is in Polish and usually takes about fifteen minutes.
1. You and your family
Almost every interview starts here: your name, where you live, what you do, why you want the Karta Polaka and who in your family was Polish. You need to know these answers best, because the consul often asks for details.
2. Polish history
Key dates: the baptism of Poland in 966, the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, the Constitution of 3 May 1791, the partitions, regaining independence on 11 November 1918, the Second World War, Solidarity and 1989.
3. Holidays and traditions
Christmas Eve and Christmas, Easter, All Saints' Day, St Andrew's Eve, Fat Thursday. The consul likes to ask how you celebrate them at home.
4. Symbols and the state
The flag, the emblem, the anthem, the capital, the president and prime minister, national holidays.
5. Geography
The longest river, the highest peak, the sea, Poland's neighbours, the largest cities.
6. Famous Poles
Nicolaus Copernicus, Frédéric Chopin, Marie Skłodowska-Curie, John Paul II, Adam Mickiewicz, Lech Wałęsa.
How to answer
- In a full sentence, not a single word.
- Briefly: two or three sentences are enough.
- If you don't understand, ask the consul to repeat. That is not a mistake.