The US citizenship civics test: 128 published questions, 20 asked aloud, 12 to pass
The naturalization test in the United States has two parts: an English test and a civics test on US history and government. Which civics test you take depends on when you filed Form N-400. Filed on or after 20 October 2025: the 2025 test, 20 questions from a published list of 128, and you need 12 right. Filed before that date: the 2008 test, up to 10 questions from a list of 100, and you need 6.
Everything below was read on USCIS's Study for the Test and Exceptions and Accommodations pages and in the USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 12, Part E, Chapter 2) on 5 October 2026. Where a comparison with other countries' tests is ours, it says so.
The 2025 civics test
It is oral. A USCIS officer asks the questions at your naturalization interview; a USCIS system selects them at random from the bank of 128.
20 questions, 12 correct to pass. The officer stops as soon as you reach 12 correct, or 9 incorrect. So a strong candidate may answer only 12 questions, and nine wrong answers end the test as a fail. The Policy Manual notes that stopping early is the one change from the 2020 test it is based on.
An alternative phrasing of the correct answer counts. The answer does not have to match the list word for word.
Some answers change with elections and appointments. Where a question asks for an office-holder, you must give the name of the person serving at the time of your interview. USCIS keeps these on a Civics Test Updates page.
The 2008 civics test, for applications filed before 20 October 2025
The officer asks up to 10 questions from the list of 100. You pass with 6 correct and fail with 5 incorrect, and the officer stops at whichever comes first.
Both lists, the 128 for 2025 and the 100 for 2008, are free on USCIS's site with their answers, along with study guides.
The finding: an oral test that ends early, from the biggest share of its bank
This comparison is ours, from each test body's own pages, all read on 5 October 2026, and set out in full on citizenship tests compared.
The US is the only citizenship test [we compare](/research/citizenship-tests) that is oral. In their standard format, Spain, Germany, Norway, the UK, Canada, Australia and France all have candidates mark answers on paper or a screen.
It joins Spain and Germany in publishing every question. But it draws a much bigger share of its bank: 20 of 128 is about one question in six, against one in twelve for Spain's CCSE and about one in ten for Germany's Einbürgerungstest. With a bank that small relative to the test, there is little in the list a candidate can afford to skip.
Its pass mark, 12 of 20, is 60%, the same as Spain's, below the 75% of the UK, Canada, Norway and Australia and France's 80%.
The English test
You must show you can read, write and speak basic English.
Speaking is judged by the officer during the interview itself. Reading: read aloud 1 of 3 sentences correctly. Writing: write 1 of 3 sentences correctly. USCIS publishes the vocabulary lists for the reading and writing tests.
Age and residence exemptions from English: aged 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident when you file ("50/20"), or 55 or older with 15 years ("55/15"). You still take the civics test, and may take it in your own language with an interpreter you bring, who must be fluent in English and your language.
65/20: if you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more, the officer asks 10 questions from a special set of 20, marked with an asterisk on the list, and you may take the test in the language of your choice.
A physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment can exempt you from both tests, with Form N-648 completed by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or a licensed clinical psychologist.
If you fail: one more attempt, then denial
You have two opportunities: the first interview and a re-examination 60 to 90 days later. At the re-examination the officer uses different test forms and retests only the parts you failed: fail only writing, and only writing is retested.
Fail a part twice and USCIS denies the application. Missing the re-examination without being excused counts as a failed attempt.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Studying the 100 questions when you filed after 20 October 2025.
Studying the 128 questions of the 2025 test.
The filing date of your N-400 decides the test: before 20 October 2025 the 2008 test, on or after it the 2025 test.
Memorising the answer for an office-holder from an old list.
Checking USCIS's Civics Test Updates before the interview.
You must name the official serving at the time of your interview, and those answers change with elections and appointments.
Treating the re-examination as a formality.
Preparing for it like the first attempt.
Failing the same part twice means the application is denied, and not turning up counts as a fail.
Assuming 50/20 or 55/15 excuses you from civics.
Preparing for the civics test, in your language if you choose, with your own interpreter.
Those exceptions cover English only. You still take civics, and you must bring an interpreter fluent in both languages.
Answering in rigid textbook wording because you fear a mismatch.
Answering naturally.
The Policy Manual accepts an alternative phrasing of the correct answer.
Questions
How many questions are on the US citizenship civics test?
If you filed Form N-400 on or after 20 October 2025, the 2025 test: up to 20 questions from a list of 128, asked aloud by an officer. You pass with 12 correct; the officer stops at 12 correct or 9 incorrect. If you filed before that date, the 2008 test: up to 10 from a list of 100, 6 to pass.
What is the pass mark for the 2025 civics test?
12 correct answers out of 20, which is 60%. The test ends early once you reach 12 correct, or 9 incorrect.
What happens if I fail the citizenship test?
USCIS reschedules you for a re-examination 60 to 90 days later, using different test forms and testing only the parts you failed. If you fail any part again, the application is denied. Missing the re-examination counts as a failed attempt unless USCIS excuses it.
What is on the English part of the naturalization test?
Speaking, judged by the officer during the interview; reading, where you read aloud 1 of 3 sentences correctly; and writing, where you write 1 of 3 sentences correctly.
Who is exempt from the English test?
Applicants aged 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident, or 55 or older with 15 years, when they file. They still take the civics test, and may take it in their own language with an interpreter they bring. A medical exception covering both tests is requested with Form N-648.
What is the 65/20 special consideration?
If you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more, the officer asks 10 questions from a special set of 20 marked with an asterisk on the official list, and you may take the test in the language of your choice.
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