U.S. Citizenship Test: Parts and Pass Rules
The U.S. citizenship (naturalization) test has an English part (speaking, reading and writing) and a civics part. USCIS says the civics version depends on when Form N-400 was filed: before October 20, 2025, up to 10 of 100 questions with 6 correct to pass; on or after that date, 20 of 128 questions with 12 correct to pass.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Sources checked against USCIS text on November 2, 2026 · Methodology & sources
The parts of the naturalization test
USCIS describes an English test (speaking, reading and writing) and a civics test. For the English parts, its Study for the Test page says:
“Your ability to speak and understand English will be determined by a USCIS officer during your eligibility interview on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.”
“For the reading test, you must read out loud 1 of 3 sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English.”
“For the writing test, you must write 1 out of 3 sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to write in English.”
The USCIS Policy Manual adds how each part is passed. For speaking, reading and writing it says:
“If the alien generally understands and responds meaningfully to questions relevant to his or her naturalization eligibility, then he or she has sufficiently demonstrated the ability to speak English.”
“An alien passes the reading test if the alien reads one of the three sentences without extended pauses in a manner that the alien is able to convey the meaning of the sentence and the officer is able to understand the sentence.”
“An alien does not fail the writing test because of spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors, unless the errors interfere with the meaning of the sentence and the officer is unable to understand the sentence.”
Which civics test applies: the N-400 filing date
“Aliens who file Form N-400 to apply for naturalization before Oct. 20, 2025, will take the 2008 naturalization civics test. Aliens who file Form N-400 to apply for naturalization on or after Oct. 20, 2025, will take the 2025 naturalization civics test.”
| Version | Questions in the list | Questions asked, up to | Correct answers to pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 civics test (N-400 filed before Oct. 20, 2025) | 100 | 10 | 6 |
| 2025 civics test (N-400 filed on or after Oct. 20, 2025) | 128 | 20 | 12 |
| 65/20 special consideration (either version) | 20 | 10 | 6 |
For the 2008 test, USCIS says:
“The USCIS officer will ask you up to 10 questions from the list of 100 civics test questions. You must answer 6 questions correctly to pass the 2008 naturalization civics test. You will fail the test if you answer 5 of the 10 questions incorrectly. Officers will stop asking questions when an alien answers 6 questions correctly or 5 questions incorrectly.”
For the 2025 test, USCIS says:
“The 2025 naturalization civics test is an oral test consisting of 20 questions from the list of 128 civics test questions. You must answer 12 questions correctly to pass the 2025 test. You will fail the test if you answer 9 of the 20 questions incorrectly. Officers will stop asking questions when an alien answers 12 questions correctly, or 9 questions incorrectly.”
The USCIS Policy Manual states the share behind both numbers:
“The percentage of questions required to pass either version of the civics test remains at 60 percent.”
The official lists are on the citizenship test questions page: all 128 questions of the 2025 version with a practice quiz, and the 100 questions of the 2008 version.
65/20 special consideration
“If you are 65 years old or older and have been living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, USCIS will continue to administer a test with 10 questions from a specially selected bank of 20 test questions from either the 2008 or 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. You may study just the 20 questions that have been marked with an asterisk (*). You may also take the naturalization test in the language of your choice.”
The Policy Manual says when the age and time requirements are measured:
“The age and time requirements must be met at the time of filing the naturalization application.”
The Policy Manual’s table of exceptions lists applicants “Age 65 or older and resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 20 years at time of filing” as “Exempt” from the English requirement and “Still required but officers administer specially designated test forms.” for civics.
Exceptions to the English test
“You are exempt from the English language requirement, but are still required to take the civics test if you are: Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (Green Card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception). OR Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception).”
“You will be permitted to take the civics test in your native language. If you take the test in your native language, you must bring an interpreter with you to your interview. Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language.”
For a medical disability, USCIS says:
“You may be eligible for an exception to the English and civics naturalization requirements if you are unable to comply with these requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment. To request this exception, submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.”
USCIS’s Exceptions and Accommodations page and the Policy Manual cover continuous residence exceptions and disability accommodations; they are not covered here.
If a part of the test is not passed
“An alien has two opportunities to pass the English and civics tests: the initial examination and the re-examination interview.”
“Unless excused by USCIS, the alien’s failure to appear at the re-examination for testing or to take the tests at an examination or hearing counts as a failed attempt to pass the test.”
“If an alien fails any portion of the English test, the civics test, or all tests during the initial naturalization examination, USCIS reschedules the alien to appear for a second examination between 60 and 90 days after the initial examination.”
“The officer must only retest the alien in those areas that the alien previously failed.”
“If an alien fails any portion of the naturalization test a second time, the officer must deny the application based upon the alien’s failure to meet the educational requirements for naturalization.”
“An officer should treat an alien’s refusal to be tested or to respond to test questions as a failure of the test.”
“In cases where an alien requests a USCIS hearing on the denial, officers must administer any failed portion of the tests.”
Answers that change
“On the civics test, some answers may change because of federal or state elections, certain judicial appointments, or due to statutory changes or updates. You must answer the question with the name of the official serving at the time of your naturalization interview.”
In the 2025 list, questions 30, 38, 39, 57 point to USCIS’s Check for Test Updates page, and questions 23, 29, 61, 62 depend on where the applicant lives. The 2008 list has the same kinds of questions: 28, 29, 39, 40, 46, 47 and 20, 23, 43, 44.
Costs
The English speaking part is determined during the Form N-400 eligibility interview, as quoted above. The N-400 filing fee and the fee exceptions USCIS lists are on the citizenship application fee page.
Frequently asked questions
What is on the U.S. citizenship test?
USCIS says the naturalization test has an English part, which covers reading, writing and speaking, and a civics part about U.S. history and the principles and form of government. The speaking part is determined by a USCIS officer during the Form N-400 eligibility interview.
How many civics questions must be answered correctly?
For the 2008 test, USCIS says up to 10 questions are asked from a list of 100 and 6 correct answers pass. For the 2025 test, 20 questions are asked from a list of 128 and 12 correct answers pass. The USCIS Policy Manual says the share of questions required to pass either version is 60 percent.
Does the 2008 test or the 2025 test apply?
USCIS says applicants who file Form N-400 before October 20, 2025 take the 2008 civics test, and applicants who file on or after October 20, 2025 take the 2025 civics test.
How do the English reading and writing tests work?
USCIS says the reading test is passed by reading 1 of 3 sentences correctly aloud, and the writing test by writing 1 of 3 sentences correctly. The USCIS Policy Manual says spelling, capitalization and punctuation errors do not fail the writing test unless they interfere with the meaning and the officer cannot understand the sentence.
What happens if a part of the test is not passed?
The USCIS Policy Manual says an applicant has two opportunities to pass the English and civics tests. USCIS reschedules a second examination between 60 and 90 days after the initial examination and retests only the parts that were failed. It also says that, unless excused by USCIS, failing to appear at the re-examination or to take the tests counts as a failed attempt. If any portion is failed a second time, the Policy Manual says the officer must deny the application on the educational requirements, and it describes a hearing request on the denial.
Who is exempt from the English test?
USCIS lists two age and residence exceptions: age 50 or older at filing with 20 years as a permanent resident (50/20), and age 55 or older at filing with 15 years (55/15). Both still require the civics test, which may be taken in the applicant's native language with an interpreter. USCIS also describes a medical disability exception requested on Form N-648.
What is the 65/20 special consideration?
USCIS says applicants who are 65 or older and have been lawful permanent residents for 20 or more years are given 10 questions from a specially selected bank of 20 questions, and 6 correct answers pass. The age and time requirements are measured at the time of filing, and the 20 questions are marked with an asterisk on the official lists.
Related pages
Sources (checked November 2, 2026): USCIS: 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version, PDF) · USCIS: 100 Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version, PDF) · USCIS: Study for the Test · USCIS: Check for Test Updates · USCIS: Exceptions and Accommodations · USCIS Policy Manual: English and Civics Testing