CITIZENSHIP TEST GUIDE
US Citizenship Civics Test: 2025 vs 2008
Your civics test depends on when you filed Form N-400. If USCIS received it before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 civics test. If you filed on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test.
Both tests are oral. For the 2025 test, a USCIS officer asks up to 20 questions from a list of 128, and 12 correct answers are required to pass. For the 2008 test, the officer asks up to 10 questions from a list of 100, and 6 correct answers are required to pass. USCIS stops asking questions once the passing or failing threshold is reached.
Key takeaways
- Filed N-400 before Oct. 20, 2025: 2008 civics test, up to 10 of 100 questions, 6 correct to pass.
- Filed on or after Oct. 20, 2025: 2025 civics test, 20 of 128 questions, 12 correct to pass.
- Stopping rule: the officer stops once you reach the pass mark or the failing number of wrong answers.
- English test: separate. Read 1 of 3 sentences, write 1 of 3 sentences, and speak during the interview.
- Retest: if you fail a part, USCIS retests that part 60 to 90 days after your first interview.
- Age 65+ with 20 years as a permanent resident: 10 questions from a special set of 20.
- Changing answers: answers about current officeholders change. Check the USCIS test updates page before your interview.
Which civics test do you take: 2025 or 2008?
USCIS decides by your Form N-400 filing date, not by your interview date.
| Your N-400 filing date | Civics test | Question list | Questions asked | Correct answers to pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before Oct. 20, 2025 | 2008 civics test | 100 questions | Up to 10 | 6 |
| On or after Oct. 20, 2025 | 2025 civics test | 128 questions | Up to 20 | 12 |
USCIS says the 2025 test is based on the 2020 civics test, with some changes to how it is given. Your filing date is on your Form N-400 receipt notice.
How does the civics test work?
The civics test is an oral test given by a USCIS officer at your naturalization interview. The officer reads questions from the official list for your version, and you answer out loud.
- 2025 test: 20 questions from 128. You pass with 12 correct and fail with 9 incorrect.
- 2008 test: up to 10 questions from 100. You pass with 6 correct and fail with 5 incorrect.
- Stopping rule: USCIS says officers stop asking once you reach the pass mark or the failing number of wrong answers.
- Current officials: some answers change with elections and appointments. You must name the official serving at the time of your interview.
What is on the English test?
The naturalization test has two parts: English and civics. Unless you qualify for an exemption, you take both at your interview.
- Speaking: the officer assesses your spoken English during the N-400 interview.
- Reading: read aloud 1 of 3 sentences correctly.
- Writing: write 1 of 3 sentences correctly.
USCIS publishes free reading and writing vocabulary lists. Their content focuses on civics and history topics.
What happens if you fail the citizenship test?
You get two attempts. If you fail the English or civics part at your first interview, USCIS retests only the part you failed. The retest takes place between 60 and 90 days after your initial interview.
Are there exceptions or special considerations?
Yes. USCIS lists several, and each has its own conditions.
- 65/20 special consideration: If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, USCIS asks 10 questions from a specially selected list of 20. You must answer at least 6 correctly to pass. The applicable 20-question list comes from the 2008 or 2025 test according to your N-400 filing date. You may take the civics test in the language of your choice.
- 50/20 and 55/15 English exemptions: age 50 with 20 years, or age 55 with 15 years, as a permanent resident when you file. You skip the English test but still take civics, and may take it in your native language with an interpreter.
- Medical disability exception: Form N-648, completed by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or a licensed clinical psychologist.
- Disability accommodations: request them through uscis.gov/accommodations.
Whether an exception applies to you is a question for USCIS guidance or a qualified immigration attorney.
Sample questions from the 2025 civics test
These five questions and answers are copied from the official USCIS list of 128 (edition M-1778, 09/25). All five are in the special set of 20 for 65/20 applicants. Each question accepts any one listed answer.
- What is the supreme law of the land? (U.S.) Constitution.
- How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? Twenty-seven (27).
- Who vetoes bills? The President (of the United States).
- What is the highest court in the United States? Supreme Court.
- Why does the flag have 13 stripes? (Because there were) 13 original colonies, or (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies.
The complete lists are free from USCIS. Use the 128-question list for the 2025 test and the 100-question list for the 2008 test.
How to study for the citizenship test
- Start with your version. Confirm your N-400 filing date, then study only the list for that test.
- Use official material first: the USCIS question lists, the “One Nation, One People” 2025 study guide and the vocabulary lists on the USCIS study page.
- Practise out loud. The test is oral, so say each answer instead of only reading it.
- Check the answers that change. Look up current officials on the USCIS test updates page shortly before your interview.
- Study for 65/20 if it applies. You may study only the 20 questions marked with an asterisk.
Practise official civics questions in Visa Current
Create a free Visa Current account to practise with flashcards built from the official USCIS lists for the 2025 test (128 questions) and the 2008 test (100 questions). Read a question, answer out loud, then reveal the official answers and mark yourself. Nothing is graded, and practising here does not predict your interview result.
Free includes the first 10 questions of each set. Essential costs $20/month and includes every question. The workspace also has practice prompts for marriage, K-1 and N-400 interviews, written by Visa Current and labelled as not official.
Start practising free View membership plans
Official sources and last verification
- USCIS: Check for test updates
- USCIS: The naturalization interview and test
- USCIS: Study for the test
- USCIS: Exceptions and accommodations
- USCIS: 128 civics questions and answers (2025 test, PDF)
- USCIS: 100 civics questions and answers (2008 test, PDF)
- More official tools: Visa Current official resources directory
All facts on this page were checked against these official pages on Oct 29, 2026. If anything here differs from USCIS, the USCIS page is correct.