Citizenship Test Questions: What to Study and How to Pass

To pass the U.S. citizenship test, study the official civics questions and practise answering them aloud, while preparing for the English reading, writing and speaking requirements. Review regularly and make sure you understand the ideas behind the answers.

Citizenship test questions cover U.S. history and government, from the principles of the Constitution to the roles of national institutions. Knowing how the test works can help you focus your study, spot gaps in your knowledge and approach the interview with greater confidence.

• 20 questions from a list of 128 2025 civics test format
• 12 correctly Passing threshold for the 2025 civics test
• 6 out of 10 Passing threshold for the 2008 civics test
• 435 voting members Membership of the House of Representatives

What are the citizenship test questions about?

The civics portion of the U.S. citizenship test covers American history and government, including the rights of people living in the United States, the federal government’s powers, and protections under the First Amendment. Applicants study questions about how the country’s government works as well as the history behind it.

How to study the civics topics

USCIS publishes the official question-and-answer materials for the test that applies to an applicant. Applicants filing Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, take the 2025 civics test: an oral exam with questions drawn from USCIS’s list of 128. The examiner asks 20 questions, and applicants must answer 12 correctly to pass.

The applicable test version matters when choosing study materials: the 2008 and 2025 tests use different question banks and passing requirements. USCIS’s study materials identify the questions and answers for each version, including a special selection for some older lawful permanent residents; applicants should use the materials that match their circumstances.

Which civics test version applies to my N-400 filing date?

The filing date on your Form N-400 determines which civics test version applies: applicants who file on or after October 20, 2025, take the 2025 test, while applicants who filed before that date take the 2008 version. The relevant date is when USCIS receives the filing, not when you study or attend your interview.

2025 version

The 2025 naturalization civics test applies to Form N-400 filings made on or after October 20, 2025. It is an oral test with 20 questions drawn from a list of 128, and applicants must answer 12 correctly.

2008 version

Applicants who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025, take the 2008 civics test. An officer asks up to 10 questions from a list of 100; applicants must answer 6 correctly to pass.

• Filed on or after October 20, 2025: 2025 test; 20 questions from 128, with 12 correct answers required.
• Filed before October 20, 2025: 2008 test; up to 10 questions from 100, with 6 correct answers required.

How many citizenship test questions must I answer correctly?

The number of correct answers required depends on which civics test rule applies: 6 on the 2008 test, 12 on the 2025 test, or 6 under the 65/20 provision. Check which version applies to your naturalization application; studying one test’s question bank does not substitute for preparing for the other.

• 2008 test: A USCIS officer asks up to 10 questions from a list of 100, and you need 6 correct answers to pass the civics portion.
• 2025 test: You answer 20 questions selected from a list of 128 and need 12 correct answers to pass.
• 65/20 provision: If you meet the age and residency criteria, the test uses a specially selected bank of 20 questions from either version, and you need 6 correct answers.

The 65/20 provision is for applicants who are 65 years old or older and have been lawful permanent residents for 20 or more years. Its 20-question bank is not the same as answering 20 questions under the 2025 test: the required passing score differs, so confirm which rule applies before choosing study materials.

What kinds of questions appear on the civics test?

Civics-test questions cover constitutional rights, federal powers, and specific facts about how the U.S. government is structured. One may ask which rights the First Amendment protects; another may ask which powers belong exclusively to the federal government.

The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, a government fact applicants may need to recall. Other questions concern people’s representatives or senators, and some answers vary by state or location. For those, applicants should use the official USCIS answer materials and follow the guidance for their state or territory.

Topics to study

• First Amendment: Know which rights it protects.
• Federal government: Identify powers reserved exclusively to the federal government.
• Congress: Remember that the House of Representatives has 435 voting members.
• Local answers: Check USCIS materials for questions whose answers depend on a person’s state or location.

When do exemptions or special rules change the test?

Applicants may qualify for a simplified civics test under the 65/20 rule or request a medical waiver from English and/or civics requirements; neither option should be assumed to apply automatically. Eligibility and documentation must be confirmed with USCIS.

The 65/20 rule

The 65/20 provision applies to applicants who are at least 65 years old and have been lawful permanent residents for 20 or more years. It allows them to use a specially selected set of 20 questions drawn from either the 2008 or 2025 test, and they must answer 6 correctly.

• Age and residence: The applicant must be 65 or older and have held lawful permanent resident status for at least 20 years.
• Test format: The questions come from the designated 65/20 set associated with either the 2008 or 2025 test; 6 correct answers are required.

Medical disability waiver

An applicant with a qualifying medical condition may use Form N-648 to request an exemption from the English requirement, the civics requirement, or both. A request is not the same as an automatic exemption: applicants should check with USCIS whether they qualify and what supporting documentation is required.

What common study mistakes should applicants avoid?

Applicants should avoid studying the wrong civics-test version, treating civics as the whole naturalization test, relying only on practice quizzes, or memorizing answers that can change. USCIS uses the N-400 filing date to determine which civics test applies: applicants who file on or after Oct. 20, 2025, take the 2025 test, which draws questions from a list of 128. Applicants should check their filing date and the applicable USCIS materials before choosing a study plan.

The civics test is separate from the English reading, writing, and speaking tests. Preparing only for questions about U.S. history and government does not prepare an applicant for those English assessments. Practice quizzes can help with review, but they should supplement—not replace—the official USCIS question list and study materials.

Answers that depend on an applicant’s location or on current officeholders can change, so memorizing a quiz answer may leave an applicant with outdated information. Before the interview, check the relevant answer in USCIS’s current study materials, including the official 2025 civics questions and answers where applicable. This is especially important for questions that ask applicants to name a current representative or another answer that varies by place.

Frequently asked questions

Key takeaways

• Check the Form N-400 filing date: October 20, 2025, marks the switch to the 2025 civics test.
• The 2025 test uses 20 questions from 128 and requires 12 correct answers.
• The 2008 test uses up to 10 questions from 100 and requires 6 correct answers.
• The 65/20 provision has its own eligibility threshold and selected question bank.
• Study official USCIS materials, especially for questions with answers that can vary or change.