Preparing for the U.S. citizenship test: English and civics

Step 1 — Find out which test you will take

Unless you qualify for an exemption, a USCIS officer gives you the naturalization test at your interview. It has two parts: an English test (reading, writing and speaking basic English) and a civics test (questions about American history and U.S. government) (USCIS — The Naturalization Interview and Test).

There are now two versions of the civics test. Which one you take depends on the date you file Form N-400 (USCIS — Check for Test Updates):

• filed before October 20, 2025: the 2008 civics test;
• filed on or after October 20, 2025: the 2025 civics test.

Check your filing date before you study. Many materials, including several on USCIS’s own study page, are for the 2008 version (USCIS — Study for the Test). USCIS has also called the 2025 test the first of several changes to naturalization (USCIS — News release), so check its pages again shortly before your interview.

Step 2 — Prepare for the English test

The English test has three parts (USCIS — Study for the Test):

• Speaking. There is no separate speaking exam. The officer judges how well you speak and understand English during your interview about your Form N-400. USCIS advises you to make sure you understand each question on your application and can answer it for your own situation (USCIS — FAQ). Reread your copy before the interview.
• Reading. You must read out loud 1 of 3 sentences correctly (USCIS).
• Writing. You must write 1 of 3 sentences correctly (USCIS), as the officer reads it to you (USCIS Policy Manual).

You don’t have to be perfect. The USCIS Policy Manual, which guides its officers, says you can ask for words to be repeated or rephrased and still pass with some mistakes in pronunciation, spelling and grammar (USCIS Policy Manual). When you read, read all the important (“content”) words, without long pauses. When you write, don’t abbreviate words; spelling, capital letters and punctuation count against you only if the officer can’t understand the sentence (USCIS Policy Manual).

Free USCIS tools for this part (USCIS — Study for the Test):

• the official Reading and Writing Test Vocabulary Lists, built around civics and history topics (USCIS), plus flash cards;
• two interview vocabulary self-tests, with words from Form N-400 and the interview;
• “Understanding Commands for the Naturalization Interview”, a listening activity.

If your English needs more time, start early: see learning English for free.

Step 3 — Study for the civics test

The civics test is oral: the officer asks, and you answer out loud (USCIS — 2025 Civics Test). USCIS stresses that the real test is not multiple choice (USCIS — Practice test page).

The 2025 test (USCIS — 2025 Civics Test):

• the official list has 128 questions, and you are asked 20 of them;
• you pass with 12 correct answers;
• the officer stops as soon as you have 12 correct answers, or 9 wrong ones (9 wrong means you fail).

The 2008 test (USCIS — Study for the Test):

• the official list has 100 questions, and you are asked up to 10;
• you pass with 6 correct answers; the officer stops at 6 correct or 5 wrong.

For both versions, you need 60 percent of the answers right (USCIS Policy Manual).

What to study:

• The official list for your version. For the 2025 test, that’s 128 Civics Questions and Answers (M-1778); there is also a 2025 study guide, One Nation, One People (a large PDF, about 39 MB) (USCIS — Study for the Test). We don’t copy the questions here, because USCIS updates them.
• Answers that change. Some answers depend on elections and appointments, such as who the President or your state’s Governor is. You must name the official serving at the time of your interview; USCIS lists these answers on its Check for Test Updates page (USCIS).
• USCIS’s own wording. Other answers may also be correct, but USCIS encourages you to use the answers on its list (USCIS — 128 Questions).

Because the test is spoken, practise your answers out loud, with a friend or a study group.

Step 4 — Check the exceptions USCIS describes

Some applicants follow different rules because of their age and their years as a permanent resident. Both are counted on the date the N-400 is filed (USCIS Policy Manual).

• “50/20” and “55/15”. People who are 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident in the U.S., or 55 or older with 15 years, are exempt from the English requirement but still take the civics test (USCIS — Exceptions and Accommodations). They may take the civics test in their own language, but must then bring an interpreter who is fluent in English and in that language (USCIS).
• “65/20” special consideration. For people who are 65 or older with at least 20 years as a permanent resident, the officer asks 10 questions from a special set of 20, and 6 correct answers pass. On the 2025 list, those 20 questions are marked with an asterisk (*), and the test can be taken in the language of your choice (USCIS — 128 Questions).
• Medical disability exception. Someone who can’t meet the English and civics requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment can request an exception with Form N-648, completed by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or a licensed clinical psychologist (USCIS — Exceptions and Accommodations). In 2025, USCIS announced stricter reviews of these exceptions (USCIS — News release).
• Disability accommodations (help at an appointment such as the interview) can be requested online or through the USCIS Contact Center; USCIS encourages you to ask as soon as you get your appointment notice (USCIS — Exceptions and Accommodations).

Whether an exception fits your case is a legal question. See free immigration legal help.

Step 5 — Use free sessions, videos and classes

• Information sessions. USCIS regularly holds free public sessions on the naturalization process, eligibility and testing; some may be in other languages, and you can search for events by state (USCIS — Information sessions).
• Videos. “The USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test” shows what to expect; there is also an overview of naturalization and a 15-minute video in American Sign Language (USCIS — Study for the Test).
• Other languages. The study page has translated question lists (for example Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese), but they are for the 2008 test (USCIS — Study for the Test). Use them to understand the topics, and practise answering in English.
• Near you. USCIS encourages libraries, organizations and city offices to set up “Citizenship Corners” with study materials (USCIS — Outreach Tools), so ask at your library. To find a class, see learning English for free.

Step 6 — If you don’t pass the first time

• You get two attempts at the English and civics tests (USCIS).
• If you fail any part at your first interview, you are retested only on that part, between 60 and 90 days after the first interview (USCIS). The officer won’t use the same test form as the first time (USCIS Policy Manual).
• Missing the re-examination counts as a failed attempt, unless USCIS excuses you (USCIS Policy Manual). Keep your address up to date with USCIS so the notice reaches you; see changing your address.
• If you fail any part a second time, USCIS denies the application. If you request a USCIS hearing on the denial, the officer gives you the failed part once more (USCIS Policy Manual). USCIS also says there is no limit to how many times you can apply, but you pay the filing fee for each new N-400 (USCIS — FAQ).

Before asking for a hearing or applying again, talk to authorized legal help.