Citizenship test

At the citizenship interview, unless you have an exemption, you take two tests: the English test and the civics test on U.S. history and government. A new civics test (2025 version) began on October 20, 2025; which version you take depends on your filing date. This page explains how the two tests are administered, passing scores, age- and health-related exemptions, and USCIS's free study resources.

• If you filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025: the 2008 civics test (100-question bank).
• If you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025: the 2025 civics test (128-question bank).
• The English test is the same for both groups.
• The tests are administered by an officer during the interview. The civics test is oral.

• Speaking: There is no separate test. The officer evaluates whether you can speak and understand English based on your conversation during the N-400 interview.
• Reading: You must correctly read aloud 1 out of 3 sentences.
• Writing: You must correctly write 1 out of 3 sentences.
• Sentences are selected from citizenship and history topics. You can study with USCIS's reading and writing vocabulary lists:
  • Reading vocabulary list (PDF)
  • Writing vocabulary list (PDF)

• The officer asks up to 20 questions from the 128-question bank.
• You need 12 correct answers to pass. You fail the test after 9 incorrect answers.
• The officer stops asking questions when you reach 12 correct or 9 incorrect answers.
• Topics:
  • American government: principles of government, systems of government, rights and responsibilities;
  • American history: the colonial period and independence, the 1800s, recent history;
  • symbols and holidays.
• Sample questions (with official answers):
  • "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
  • "Why does the flag have 13 stripes?" — 13 original colonies
• Answers that may change: Some answers change after elections. You must name the person holding the position on the day of your interview. According to USCIS's update page:
  • U.S. President: Donald J. Trump; Vice President: JD Vance;
  • Speaker of the House of Representatives: Mike Johnson; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: John Roberts;
  • your state's senators, your member of the House of Representatives, and your governor vary depending on where you live. Check the USCIS updates page before your interview.

• For applicants who filed before October 20, 2025.
• The officer asks up to 10 questions from the 100-question bank.
• You need 6 correct answers to pass. You fail after 5 incorrect answers.
• The changeable answers for this version are also listed on the same updates page.

• 50/20 rule: If you are at least 50 years old on the filing date and have held a green card for at least 20 years, you are exempt from the English test.
• 55/15 rule: If you are at least 55 years old on the filing date and have held a green card for at least 15 years, you are exempt from the English test.
• In both cases, you still take the civics test, but you may take it in your own language (for example, Turkish). You must bring an interpreter who is fluent in both languages.
• 65/20 rule: If you are at least 65 years old on the filing date and have held a green card for at least 20 years:
  • you study only the 20 questions marked with an asterisk (*);
  • the officer asks 10 of these 20 questions; 6 correct answers are enough;
  • you may take the test in the language of your choice.
• The age and time requirements must be met on the filing date. With an early filing, these requirements cannot be completed later.

• If a physical, developmental, or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months prevents you from demonstrating English or civics knowledge, you may request an exemption from the test.
• Form N-648 must be completed by a U.S.-licensed medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), or clinical psychologist. The examination is conducted in person or, if permitted by state law, by live video.
• Submit the N-648 with the N-400 and answer "Yes" to the relevant question on the N-400. It may also be submitted later; however, this may delay your case.
• There is no USCIS fee for the N-648; the doctor may charge an examination fee.
• Submitting the form does not guarantee an exemption.
• Disability accommodations for the interview, biometrics, or ceremony (such as a sign-language interpreter or wheelchair access) must be requested separately online or through the Contact Center.

• You have two attempts for the English and civics tests.
• If you fail one section at the first interview, only that section (English or civics) is retested within 60–90 days.
• If you fail the second attempt as well, your application is denied. You may appeal the denial using Form N-336 or apply again. See 4.2 Application, biometrics, interview.

• First, download the correct question list based on your filing date (2008 or 2025).
• USCIS's free 2025 test study guide, "One Nation, One People," is a large PDF file (approximately 39 MB).
• Repeat the questions aloud; the test is oral.
• For reading and writing, practice by writing the sentence patterns in the vocabulary lists.
• You can attend USCIS's free citizenship information sessions.
• USCIS recommends applying to local community colleges and adult education programs for English and citizenship courses.
• Recheck changeable answers (senator, governor, representative) before the interview.

• Studying the old 100-question list even though the filing date falls under the 2025 version.
• Going to the interview without updating changeable answers (president, senator, governor).
• Memorizing answers to the questions but not preparing for the English conversation during the interview.
• Applying under the 50/20, 55/15, or 65/20 rule without realizing that the age or time requirement was not met on the filing date.
• Not bringing an interpreter when taking the Turkish test under an exemption.
• Trusting people who “arrange” N-648 forms for money.

• Can I take the test in Turkish? You may take the civics test in Turkish only if you qualify under the 50/20, 55/15, or 65/20 rule; you must bring the interpreter. The English test is not administered at all in this case.
• How many questions are asked? The 2025 version has up to 20 questions, with 12 correct answers required to pass. The 2008 version has up to 10 questions, with 6 correct answers required to pass.
• Do I have to give every answer word for word? USCIS recognizes that there may be other correct answers, but recommends using the answers on the list.
• Do I start over if I fail the test? No. Within 60–90 days, only the section you failed is retested.
• I have a disability; what should I do? Have your doctor complete Form N-648 and submit it with the N-400. You may also request a disability accommodation for the interview.
• Is there a separate test fee? The USCIS fee schedule has no separate test fee; the test is part of the N-400 process.

• 128 questions and answers, 2025 version M-1778 (PDF)
• 2025 test study guide "One Nation, One People" (PDF)
• 100 questions and answers, 2008 version (PDF) · Large-print version (PDF)
• Reading vocabulary list (PDF) · Writing vocabulary list (PDF)
• Test updates (changed answers)
• USCIS study materials
• Form N-648 (PDF) · Instructions (PDF)
• Disability accommodation request
• Free information sessions
• Related: 4.2 Application, biometrics, interview · 4.4 Oath ceremony and afterward