How the citizenship test works in 2026
Which civics test you take depends on one date: the day you filed Form N-400. Before October 20, 2025 means the 2008 test; on or after it, the 2025 test.
Most people who apply to become U.S. citizens through naturalization take a two-part test at their interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The English part checks that you can speak, read and write basic English. The civics part checks what you know about American government and history. As of October 2026 USCIS gives two different versions of the civics test, and which one you get depends on a single date: the day you filed Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
Which civics test you take
USCIS announced the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test in the Federal Register on September 18, 2025. If you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 test. If you filed before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 test, even if your interview happens in 2026. The filing date is printed on the receipt notice USCIS sends after you apply, so check that notice before you decide what to study.
| N-400 filed | Test | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Before Oct. 20, 2025 | 2008 version | 100 questions in the bank. Up to 10 asked. Pass with 6 correct; the officer stops at 6 correct or 5 wrong. |
| On or after Oct. 20, 2025 | 2025 version | 128 questions in the bank. 20 on the form. Pass with 12 correct; the officer stops at 12 correct or 9 wrong. |
| 65/20 applicants | Either, by filing date | 20 starred questions to study. 10 asked. Pass with 6 correct. |
How the officer asks the questions
The civics test is oral. A USCIS system randomly picks the questions from the bank, and the officer reads them to you. On the 2025 test the standard form has 20 questions, and you pass by answering at least 12 correctly. The officer stops as soon as you reach 12 correct answers, or as soon as you have 9 wrong, so many interviews end before all 20 are read. On the 2008 test the officer asks up to 10 questions from the list of 100 and stops at 6 correct or 5 wrong. Either way the pass mark is 60 percent. The printed 2025 question list says the officer will ask you to answer up to 20 questions, while the study page and the Policy Manual describe a 20-question form; both use the same stopping rule.
You do not have to repeat the answer word for word. The Policy Manual says you pass a question if you give a correct answer or an alternative phrasing of the correct answer. USCIS adds that there may be other correct answers, but it encourages applicants to use the answers on its list, and this course does the same.
Answers that change
A few answers depend on who holds office when you are interviewed: the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, the Chief Justice, and your own state’s senators, representative and governor. You must give the name of the person serving at the time of your interview. USCIS keeps the current answers on its test updates page, uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates. The cards in this course do not print those names; check that page shortly before your interview.
The 65/20 special consideration
If you are 65 or older and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years when you file, you receive special consideration. You study only the 20 questions marked with an asterisk on your version’s list, the officer asks 10 of them, and you need 6 correct. You may take the civics test in the language of your choice with an interpreter, and you do not take the English test. The first set of cards in this unit is the 20 starred questions from the 2025 list. Separate rules exempt people from the English test, but not from civics, if they are 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident, or 55 or older with 15 years. A medical disability exception uses Form N-648.
Two chances
You have two opportunities to pass each part. If you fail a part at the first interview, USCIS schedules a second examination, usually between 60 and 90 days later, and retests only the part you failed, with different test forms. Failing any part a second time leads to denial of the application.
- 2000: INS publishes standardized civics questions.
- 2008: USCIS revises the test: 100 questions, 10 asked, 6 to pass.
- Dec. 1, 2020: The 2020 test (128 questions) applies to new filings.
- Mar. 1, 2021: USCIS returns to the 2008 test for new filings.
- Sept. 18, 2025: Federal Register notice of the 2025 test.
- Oct. 20, 2025: The 2025 test applies to N-400s filed from this date.
The 20 starred questions (2025 list)
| What is the supreme law of the land? | • (U.S.) Constitution 2025 list, no. 2, 65/20 |
| How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? | • Twenty-seven (27) 2025 list, no. 7, 65/20 |
| What is the economic system of the United States? | • Capitalism • Free market economy 2025 list, no. 12, 65/20 |
| Name one power of the U.S. Congress. | • Writes laws • Declares war • Makes the federal budget 2025 list, no. 20, 65/20 |
| What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2025 list, no. 30, 65/20 |
| The President of the United States is elected for how many years? | • Four (4) years 2025 list, no. 36, 65/20 |
| What is the name of the President of the United States now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2025 list, no. 38, 65/20 |
| What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2025 list, no. 39, 65/20 |
| Who vetoes bills? | • The President (of the United States) 2025 list, no. 44, 65/20 |
| What is the highest court in the United States? | • Supreme Court 2025 list, no. 52, 65/20 |
| Who is the governor of your state now? | • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a governor.] Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2025 list, no. 61, 65/20 |
| What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? | • The United States • The flag 2025 list, no. 66, 65/20 |
| Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? | • American Indians • Native Americans 2025 list, no. 74, 65/20 |
| Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? | • (Thomas) Jefferson 2025 list, no. 78, 65/20 |
| George Washington is famous for many things. Name one. | • “Father of Our Country” • First president of the United States • General of the Continental Army • President of the Constitutional Convention 2025 list, no. 86, 65/20 |
| Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one. | • Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) • Saved (or preserved) the Union • Led the United States during the Civil War • 16th president of the United States • Delivered the Gettysburg Address 2025 list, no. 94, 65/20 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one. | • Fought for civil rights • Worked for equality for all Americans • Worked to ensure that people would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” 2025 list, no. 113, 65/20 |
| What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? | • Terrorists attacked the United States • Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City • Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia • Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania 2025 list, no. 115, 65/20 |
| Why does the flag have 13 stripes? | • (Because there were) 13 original colonies • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies 2025 list, no. 121, 65/20 |
| Name three national U.S. holidays. | • New Year’s Day • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day • Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday) • Memorial Day • Juneteenth • Independence Day • Labor Day • Columbus Day • Veterans Day • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas Day 2025 list, no. 126, 65/20 |
2008 version: the 20 starred questions
| What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? | • speech • religion • assembly • press • petition the government 2008 list, no. 6, 65/20 |
| What is the economic system in the United States? | • capitalist economy • market economy 2008 list, no. 11, 65/20 |
| Name one branch or part of the government. | • Congress • legislative • President • executive • the courts • judicial 2008 list, no. 13, 65/20 |
| What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? | • the Senate and House (of Representatives) 2008 list, no. 17, 65/20 |
| Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now? | • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.] Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2008 list, no. 20, 65/20 |
| In what month do we vote for President? | • November 2008 list, no. 27, 65/20 |
| What is the name of the President of the United States now? | • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States. Check the current official answer at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview. 2008 list, no. 28, 65/20 |
| What is the capital of your state? | • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.] 2008 list, no. 44, 65/20 |
| What are the two major political parties in the United States? | • Democratic and Republican 2008 list, no. 45, 65/20 |
| What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? | • serve on a jury • vote in a federal election 2008 list, no. 49, 65/20 |
| How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? | • eighteen (18) and older 2008 list, no. 54, 65/20 |
| When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms? | • April 15 2008 list, no. 56, 65/20 |
| Who was the first President? | • (George) Washington 2008 list, no. 70, 65/20 |
| What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did? | • freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) • saved (or preserved) the Union • led the United States during the Civil War 2008 list, no. 75, 65/20 |
| Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. | • World War I • World War II • Korean War • Vietnam War • (Persian) Gulf War 2008 list, no. 78, 65/20 |
| What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do? | • fought for civil rights • worked for equality for all Americans 2008 list, no. 85, 65/20 |
| What is the capital of the United States? | • Washington, D.C. 2008 list, no. 94, 65/20 |
| Where is the Statue of Liberty? | • New York (Harbor) • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).] 2008 list, no. 95, 65/20 |
| Why does the flag have 50 stars? | • because there is one star for each state • because each star represents a state • because there are 50 states 2008 list, no. 97, 65/20 |
| When do we celebrate Independence Day? | • July 4 2008 list, no. 99, 65/20 |
- What is the supreme law of the land? The Constitution. · 2025 no. 2, starred
- How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? Twenty-seven. · 2025 no. 7, starred
- What is the economic system of the United States? Capitalism. · 2025 no. 12, starred
- Name one power of the U.S. Congress. Congress writes laws. · 2025 no. 20, starred
- The President of the United States is elected for how many years? Four years. · 2025 no. 36, starred
- Who vetoes bills? The President. · 2025 no. 44, starred
- What is the highest court in the United States? The Supreme Court. · 2025 no. 52, starred
- Why does the flag have 13 stripes? Because there were 13 original colonies. · 2025 no. 121, starred
2025 test: 20 questions from 128. Pass with 12 correct. The officer stops at 12 correct or 9 wrong. 2008 test: up to 10 questions from 100. Pass with 6 correct. 65/20: 10 questions from the 20 starred questions. Pass with 6 correct.
- You filed Form N-400 on November 3, 2025. Which civics test do you take?
- 2025 version
- 2008 version
- You may choose
- You filed on September 30, 2025 and your interview is in 2026. Which test?
- 2008 version
- 2025 version
- The 2020 version
- How many questions are in the 2025 question bank?
- On the 2025 test, how many correct answers do you need to pass?
- On the 2025 test, after how many wrong answers does the officer stop and fail the test?
- On the 2008 test, how many correct answers out of 10 do you need?
- Who qualifies for the 65/20 special consideration?
- 65 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident
- 65 or older with 20 years of any U.S. stay
- 20 years old with 65 months as a resident
- Under 65/20, how many questions does the officer ask?
- 10 of the 20 starred questions
- 20 of the 128 questions
- 5 of the 20 starred questions
- Where should you check the current name of the President before your interview?
- uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates
- Only the printed 2025 list
- Any news app
- You fail the writing test but pass everything else. What happens next?
- A second exam on writing only, usually 60 to 90 days later
- The whole test again the same day
- Automatic denial
- Which group is exempt from the English test but still takes civics?
- 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident
- Anyone over 40
- Anyone who studied English abroad
- Must you use the exact words on the USCIS list?
- No, an alternative phrasing of a correct answer passes
- Yes, word for word
- Only for starred questions
- Filed before Oct. 20, 2025: 2008 test, 6 of 10.
- Filed on or after Oct. 20, 2025: 2025 test, 12 of 20.
- 65/20: 10 of the 20 starred questions, 6 to pass.
- Check changing answers at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.