Citizenship Test

What Is the US Citizenship Test

The US citizenship test, officially the naturalization test, is the civics and English test that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) gives to most applicants for citizenship. It checks that you know basic US history and government and can read, write and speak basic English.

You take it during your naturalization interview, after filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The officer reviews your application, gives the civics and English tests, and in most cases tells you the result before you leave.

Our free US citizenship practice test uses 96 of the official USCIS 100 civics questions from the 2008 test (the four answers that depend on your state are left out), so you can check what you know before your interview.

Citizenship Test for US Naturalization Applicants

The citizenship test applies to permanent residents applying to naturalize. Most green card holders become eligible after five years of permanent residence, or three years if married to and living with a US citizen, provided they meet the other requirements on Form N-400.

Some applicants have special rules. Older long-term residents may take a simplified civics test or take it in their own language, and applicants with a qualifying disability can request an exception. Those rules are explained under registration and fees below.

What Is the Civics Test

The civics test is the part of the naturalization test that covers American government, American history and integrated civics — geography, symbols and holidays. It is an oral test: the officer reads questions from the official USCIS list and you answer in your own words.

USCIS publishes every question and its accepted answers, so you can study the full list in advance. Some answers change after elections, such as the names of the President and the Speaker of the House, so always learn the current answers.

Citizenship Test US Format: Civics, Reading and Writing

The citizenship test has four parts, all given at the same interview: civics, English reading, English writing and English speaking. You must pass each part.

Civics Test for Citizenship

On the 2025 civics test for citizenship, the officer asks questions from the list of 128 and stops once you answer 12 correctly or 9 incorrectly. If you filed before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 version, with up to 10 questions from the list of 100: you pass with 6 correct answers and fail if you answer 5 incorrectly.

Answers do not need to match the official wording exactly. The officer accepts any answer that has the same meaning as one of the accepted answers on the list.

English Citizenship Test Questions

The English test does not have a separate list of English citizenship test questions for speaking. Instead, the officer judges your spoken English from your answers to questions about your N-400 application — your address, work history, travel and the eligibility questions.

USCIS does publish reading and writing vocabulary lists. Most of the words relate to civics and history topics, such as President, Congress, freedom and Independence Day.

Citizenship Test Reading and Writing

For reading, you read one of up to three sentences aloud correctly. For writing, you write one of up to three dictated sentences in a way the officer can understand. Spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors do not fail the writing test unless they stop the officer from understanding the sentence.

Is the Civics Test Multiple Choice

No, the civics test is not multiple choice. The officer asks each question aloud and you give the answer from memory, with no options to choose from. Our practice test uses a multiple-choice format to make self-checking quick, but you should also practise saying answers aloud without seeing choices.

Citizenship Test and Interview

The citizenship test and interview happen in the same appointment. You take an oath to tell the truth, the officer goes through your N-400 with you and gives the tests, and you receive a written notice of results.

Scoring: How Many Questions Are on the Citizenship Test

On the 2025 civics test, the officer asks up to 20 questions drawn from a list of 128, and you pass with 12 correct answers (60%). The test ends early once you reach 12 correct or 9 incorrect. Applicants who filed before October 20, 2025 take the 2008 test: up to 10 questions from a list of 100, with 6 correct needed.

The English parts are scored pass or fail. You pass reading by reading one sentence correctly, writing by writing one sentence correctly, and speaking based on your conversation with the officer.

Citizenship Test: How Many Questions to Pass

For the citizenship test, how many questions to pass depends on your version and situation:

• 2025 civics test: 12 of 20 correct.
• 2008 civics test: 6 of 10 correct.
• Age 65 or older with 20+ years as a permanent resident (2025 test): the officer asks 10 of the 20 starred questions, and you need 6 correct.

USCIS sets these rules and can change them, so check which version applies to you on uscis.gov before you start studying.

What Happens If You Fail the Civics Test

If you fail the civics test, or any English part, USCIS retests you on that part between 60 and 90 days from the date of your first interview. You are retested only on the part you failed. If you fail again, USCIS denies your application; you can reapply later with a new N-400 and fee.

Registration and Fees: Citizenship Test Cost

There is no separate fee for the citizenship test: the test is included in the Form N-400 filing fee. According to the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055), the N-400 fee is $710 when filed online and $760 on paper, with a $380 reduced fee available on paper only for household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The inflation-adjusted fees USCIS announced for October 16, 2026 do not include Form N-400, but fees can change, so check the current fee schedule on uscis.gov before you file. Fee waiver and reduced-fee requests must be filed on paper.

Citizenship Test After Green Card

You take the citizenship test after your green card only once you are eligible to naturalize and have filed Form N-400. USCIS lets most applicants file up to 90 days before reaching the required years of permanent residence. After filing, you attend a biometrics appointment if required, then receive an interview notice with your test date.

Citizenship Test Application Fee

The citizenship test application fee is the N-400 filing fee: $710 online or $760 on paper, or $380 for eligible applicants filing on paper. Applicants who qualify can request a fee waiver. USCIS’s fee increases effective October 16, 2026 apply to other forms, not to the N-400.

Citizenship Test for Over 65 Applicants

Applicants 65 or older who have been permanent residents for at least 20 years get special consideration. They may take the civics test in their own language, and on the 2025 test they are asked 10 of the 20 starred questions, needing 6 correct. They are also exempt from the English test.

Applicants 50 or older with 20 years, or 55 or older with 15 years, as permanent residents are exempt from the English test and may take the full civics test in their own language with an interpreter.

Pass Rates: Is It Hard to Pass the US Citizenship Test

Most applicants pass. According to USCIS, the overall naturalization test pass rate was 95.7% for all applicants in fiscal year 2022: over 88% passed at the initial interview and about 7% more passed on re-examination.

The test is manageable because USCIS publishes every civics question and answer in advance. Applicants who fail usually have not studied the full list or struggle with the English reading or writing parts, both of which improve with regular practice.

How to Prepare With USCIS Citizenship Test Study Materials

The best preparation uses official USCIS citizenship test study materials: the civics question list for your version, the reading and writing vocabulary lists and the audio and video lessons on the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center. Combine them with daily self-testing so you can recall answers quickly.

A simple plan:

1. Confirm which civics test you will take based on your N-400 filing date.
2. Learn ten to fifteen questions a day using citizenship test flashcards.
3. Take a practice test twice a week and review every missed answer.
4. Practise reading and writing the vocabulary words out loud and by hand.
5. Rehearse answering questions about your own N-400 in English.

For general study techniques, see our guide on how to study for a test.

How Long to Study for the US Citizenship Test

Most applicants need four to eight weeks of regular study, about 20–30 minutes a day, to learn the full civics list. If English is new to you, allow more time for reading, writing and speaking practice. Start when you file your N-400, and plan your weeks with the study planner and an exam countdown to your interview date.

Example of a Citizenship Test Session

Here is an example of a citizenship test session. After you are sworn in, the officer asks about your N-400 — for example, “Have you traveled outside the United States since you became a permanent resident?” Then the officer asks civics questions such as “What is the supreme law of the land?” (the Constitution) and “Who was the first President?” (George Washington), stopping once you reach the passing number.

Next, you read a sentence aloud, such as “Who was the first President?”, and write a sentence the officer dictates, such as “Washington was the first President.” The officer then reviews any remaining questions and gives you your results.

Citizenship Test Cards and Audio Practice

Citizenship test cards help you memorize answers with short, repeated reviews. Our free deck covers 96 official 2008 civics questions with spaced repetition, and the civics flashcards tool offers the same questions alongside our other prebuilt decks. USCIS also publishes audio versions of the civics questions, which are useful for practising listening and answering aloud.

Test Day Checklist for Your Citizenship Test Appointment

Your citizenship test appointment is also your naturalization interview, so bring documents as well as knowledge. Check your interview notice for the exact list, and use this checklist as a starting point:

• Your interview notice and your permanent resident card.
• A state-issued ID and your passports and travel documents, including expired ones.
• Any documents your notice requests, such as marriage certificates, tax records or court records.
• Form N-648 if you are requesting a medical exception, and an interpreter if you qualify for an exemption.
• Arrive early to allow for security screening.
• Review the current answers to officeholder questions the night before.

If you feel nervous, our guide on how to deal with test anxiety has practical techniques for staying calm.

Citizenship Test and Oath Same Day

Some field offices offer a same-day oath ceremony if you pass the citizenship test and your application is approved at the interview. In other cases, USCIS mails you a notice for a later oath ceremony. You become a US citizen only after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

Citizenship Test vs Civics Test

The citizenship test is the whole naturalization test, while the civics test is just one part of it. Passing the civics test alone is not enough: you must also pass the English reading, writing and speaking parts, unless you qualify for an exemption.

US Citizenship Test Changes: 2025 Test vs 2008 Test

The current US citizenship test is the 2025 civics test, which applies to anyone who files Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025; earlier filers still take the 2008 test. The two versions compare as follows:

A 2020 version of the test was used briefly and then withdrawn in 2021, so comparisons of the citizenship test 2008 vs 2020 are now only historical. Always confirm your version on uscis.gov.

Green Card Citizenship Test Changes

Green card citizenship test changes mostly affect how much you study. The 2025 list is longer, and more questions are asked, so plan extra study time if you filed on or after October 20, 2025. The eligibility rules for permanent residents and the four-part structure of the test stay the same.

Citizenship Test vs Naturalization Test

There is no difference: “citizenship test” is the everyday name for what USCIS calls the naturalization test. Both terms mean the English and civics test for naturalization that you take at your interview. For other exams you can prepare for here, browse our exam prep directory.

Citizenship Test FAQ

Can the Citizenship Test Be Taken in Spanish?

Only if you qualify for an English-language exemption. Applicants who are 50 or older with 20 years as permanent residents, 55 or older with 15 years, or 65 or older with 20 years may take the civics test in Spanish or another language with an interpreter they bring. Everyone else must take both the civics and English tests in English.

Can the Citizenship Test Be Taken Online?

No. The citizenship test is given in person by a USCIS officer during your naturalization interview at a USCIS field office. You can file Form N-400 online and study online, including with our free US citizenship practice test, but the official civics and English tests are always taken face to face.

Who Is Exempt From Taking the Citizenship Test?

Applicants 50 or older with 20 years as permanent residents and those 55 or older with 15 years are exempt from the English test, though they still take civics in their language. Applicants with a qualifying physical or developmental disability or mental impairment can request an exception to both tests by filing Form N-648, completed by a licensed medical professional.

Can You Retake the Citizenship Test?

Yes. If you fail the civics test or any part of the English test at your interview, USCIS reschedules you for a second attempt between 60 and 90 days after your first interview, and you are retested only on the part you failed. If you fail that second attempt, USCIS denies the application, and you would need to file a new Form N-400 and pay the fee again.

Is the Citizenship Test Oral or Written?

Mostly oral. The officer asks the civics questions aloud and you answer aloud, and your speaking is judged throughout the interview. The English test also has two short written parts: you read a sentence aloud from a tablet or paper, and you write down a sentence that the officer dictates.

Which Civics Test Will I Take?

It depends on when you filed Form N-400. Applicants who filed on or after October 20, 2025 take the 2025 civics test: up to 20 questions from a list of 128, with 12 correct needed. Applicants who filed before that date take the 2008 test: 10 questions from a list of 100, with 6 correct needed. Confirm your version on uscis.gov.

Does the Citizenship Test Have to Be in English?

For most applicants, yes: the civics questions and the English test are both given in English. Only applicants who meet the age-and-residence exemptions (50/20, 55/15 or 65/20) can take the civics test in their own language with an interpreter, and those with an approved medical exception do not take the affected tests.

Does the Citizenship Test Expire?

Your test results count only for the naturalization application you are interviewed on. Once you pass, the next step is the oath ceremony, and you become a citizen only after taking the oath. If that application is denied or closed and you file again, you must take the civics and English tests again.