BOSTON LEGAL star William Shatner is terrified to become an American citizen because he is convinced he will flunk the citizenship test.

The Canadian-born actor was raised in Montreal, Quebec, but has lived in Southern California for most of his life.

He explains, "I have not passed the (citizenship) test. I'm afraid to pass the test. All that stuff you have to remember - I can't remember it.

" I'm good for about five minutes as far as (memory) retention. I spout out the line and - boom - I've already forgot it.

"After learning it (the information) you have to go downtown, and then they make you wait and by that time an hour or two has gone and I've forgotten everything."