Not an official website of the United States government — an independent study tool based on official USCIS materials.
Everything you need to know about the civics portion of the U.S. naturalization interview — in plain language.
The civics test is an oral exam given during your naturalization interview. A USCIS officer asks you up to 20 questions drawn from an official pool of 128 questions, and you must answer 12 correctly to pass. There is no multiple choice at the real interview — you say your answers out loud, which is why practicing orally matters.
The questions cover three topics: American Government (principles, system of government, rights and responsibilities), American History (colonial period through recent history), and Symbols and Holidays.
USCIS implemented the 2025 version for applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025. The pool grew from 100 to 128 questions, and the interview asks 20 questions (pass at 12) instead of 10 (pass at 6). If you filed before that date, you take the 2008 version — check your interview notice if you are unsure.
The 2025 test draws from a pool of 128 official questions. At your naturalization interview, the USCIS officer asks up to 20 of them, and you must answer 12 correctly to pass. The test is oral — the officer asks, you answer out loud.
Applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 take the 2025 test (128 questions). If you filed before that date, you take the 2008 version (100 questions, 10 asked, 6 to pass). Your interview notice and the USCIS website can confirm which version applies to you.
If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years, you study only the 20 questions marked with an asterisk. The officer asks 10 of them and you must answer 6 correctly. You may also take the test in the language of your choice.
Yes. Questions about current officeholders — like the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, and Chief Justice — change with elections and appointments. You must answer with the name of the official serving on the day of your interview. Always verify at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.
You get a second chance. USCIS will schedule you for another interview, generally 60 to 90 days after the first, and you will be retested only on the portion you did not pass.
No. The naturalization interview also includes an English test — reading one sentence, writing one sentence, and demonstrating speaking ability during the interview itself — unless you qualify for an exemption.