US Citizenship Test 2026

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How the US Citizenship Civics Test Works: 2025 vs. 2008 Versions

By David N. Smith, TGM, Athens, Greece

Last reviewed: October 21, 2026

Short answer: If you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test: the officer asks up to 20 questions from a bank of 128, and you need 12 correct answers. If you filed before that date, you take the 2008 test: up to 10 questions from a bank of 100, and you need 6 correct. The test is oral.

People often say "citizenship test" to mean the civics test, but it is one part of the naturalization interview, alongside English and a review of your application. In 2025 USCIS changed the civics test, so two versions are now in use. This guide explains how both work and how to prepare. For the complete lists of questions and answers, use our all-questions page.

Which version will I take?

The version depends on the date you filed Form N-400, not on the date of your interview.

  • Filed before October 20, 2025: 2008 version
  • Filed on or after October 20, 2025: 2025 version

Your receipt notice shows the filing date. If you are unsure, check it before you start studying.

2025 vs. 2008 at a glance

2008 version2025 version
Question bank100 questions128 questions
Questions askedUp to 10Up to 20
Correct answers needed612
65/20 special considerationStudy 20 starred questions; asked 10; 6 correctSame structure (10 asked, 6 correct), but a new set of 20 starred questions
English reading, writing, speakingUnchangedUnchanged

The 2025 bank is based on the 128 questions of the 2020 version, with a few changes to wording and accepted answers. Always study from the official USCIS list for your version; our 2025 test page and 2008 test page follow them.

How the test is given

  • The officer asks each question out loud, and you answer out loud. It is not multiple choice and not written.
  • You answer in English, unless you qualify for an exception that lets you use your own language with an interpreter. See test exceptions.
  • Many questions accept more than one correct answer. If a question says "name one" or "name two," you only need that number of acceptable answers.
  • Officers may rephrase a question. If you do not understand, you can ask them to repeat it.
  • Your correct answers just need to be among those USCIS accepts. You do not have to match the wording exactly.

What the questions cover

The questions fall into three broad areas:

  1. American government. The Constitution, the three branches, rights and responsibilities, elections and the current officeholders.
  2. American history. Colonial times, independence, the 1800s, the Civil War, the 1900s and recent history.
  3. Integrated civics. Geography, symbols and holidays.

Answers that change

Some answers depend on who holds office or where you live: the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, your governor, your state capital, your two US senators, and your member of the House. USCIS expects you to give the answer that is correct on the day of your interview. Our all-questions page uses your chosen state for the state-specific answers, and you should re-check them before the interview, because elections and appointments change them.

Questions that double as English practice

The English reading and writing sentences come from the civics vocabulary. Studying the civics list therefore helps both parts of the test. See the interview guide.

Pass, fail and retake rules

  • 2008 test: you pass with 6 correct answers.
  • 2025 test: you pass with 12 correct answers and fail with 9 incorrect answers.
  • If you fail: you generally get a second chance to retake only the part you failed (English or civics), usually 60 to 90 days after the first interview. If you fail again, USCIS can deny your application.

How to study

Research on learning, particularly on retrieval practice and spaced repetition, consistently finds that actively testing yourself is more effective than rereading. Here is how to apply it:

  1. Start with the right list. Make sure it matches your version. Do not study old lists by mistake.
  2. Say your answers out loud. The real test is spoken, so practice speaking in full sentences.
  3. Use flashcards, then full mock tests. Flashcards build recall question by question. Mock tests copy the pressure of the real format. Try our mock tests and flashcards.
  4. Review mistakes, not just scores. Sort the questions you miss into a "still learning" pile and revisit them every day for a week.
  5. Study in short sessions. Twenty minutes a day for several weeks beats one long cram session.
  6. Learn the changeable answers last, and re-check them a few days before the interview.
  7. Learn the topic, not only the phrase. If you understand why Congress makes laws, you can answer in different words.

Common mistakes

  • Studying the wrong version.
  • Memorizing out-of-date officials.
  • Practicing only by reading, not speaking.
  • Giving more answers than asked and including a wrong one.
  • Forgetting that practice scores here are not USCIS results.

Frequently asked questions

  • It depends on your filing date. If you filed on or after October 20, 2025, the officer asks up to 20 questions from 128 possible questions. If you filed earlier, the officer asks up to 10 from 100.

Sources and further reading

This page is general information, not legal advice. Questions, answers and test rules are set by USCIS and can change; always confirm on uscis.gov. We are not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. Last reviewed October 21, 2026.