Civics test strategy (2025 version)

Your test depends on your filing date, not your interview date:

• N-400 filed on or after October 20, 2025: 2025 civics test. 128 possible questions, up to 20 asked, 12 correct to pass. The officer stops as soon as you have 12 correct or 9 incorrect.
• N-400 filed before October 20, 2025: 2008 civics test. 100 possible questions, up to 10 asked, 6 correct to pass.

The test is oral: the officer reads the question and you answer out loud. There are no multiple-choice options in the real test; the practice questions on this site use options to help you learn, so also practice saying the answers.

Some questions have no fixed answer. Learn your own before the interview:

• One of your state's U.S. senators (Q23) and your U.S. representative (Q29): look them up on congress.gov using your address.
• Your state's governor (Q61) and your state capital (Q62).
• The President, Vice President, Speaker of the House and Chief Justice (Q38, Q39, Q30, Q57).

You must give the name of the person serving on the day of your interview. Elections and appointments change these answers, so check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates in the week before your interview.

• Week 1-2: Read all 128 questions once from the official USCIS list. Mark the ones you already know.
• Then study 10-15 new questions a day, by topic: government principles, system of government, rights, history, symbols and holidays.
• Say every answer out loud. Your answer has to be understood by the officer.
• Review missed questions daily; spaced repetition beats cramming.
• In the last two weeks, do full mock tests of 20 random questions and aim for 16 or more so a nervous day still passes.

• Short is fine. “Twenty-seven” is a complete answer to “How many amendments does the Constitution have?”
• Count the request. “Name two…” needs two answers; “Name three national holidays” needs three; Q81 asks for five of the 13 original states.
• USCIS lists accepted answers but notes other correct answers may exist; it encourages you to use the listed ones.
• If you did not understand, ask the officer to repeat the question. Repeating is normal.
• If you do not know, say so and move on. You can miss up to 8 and still pass.

• 65/20: if you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more when you file, you study only the 20 questions marked with an asterisk, the officer asks 10, and you need 6 correct. You may take the civics test in your language with an interpreter. You are also exempt from the English test, because anyone who meets 65/20 also meets the 50/20 exemption.
• 50/20 and 55/15: age 50+ with 20 years as a permanent resident, or 55+ with 15 years, means no English test; you still take civics, and may do so in your language with an interpreter you bring.
• Medical disability exception: Form N-648, completed by a licensed medical professional, can exempt you from the English and/or civics requirements.

Ask USCIS or a qualified representative if you are unsure whether you qualify.