The citizenship test for seniors

Age and years with a green card change the test. Two exceptions remove the English test, and one special consideration shrinks the civics list to 20 questions. Here are the rules in USCIS's words, and the 20 questions.

50/20 and 55/15: no English test, civics in your language

USCIS says you are exempt from the English language requirement, but still 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)."
• "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." So at 50/20 or 55/15 you still answer the civics questions (the full list for your test), but in your own language, with an interpreter you bring.

65/20: 20 questions, in your language

"If you are age 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing for naturalization, you will be given special consideration regarding the civics requirement." In practice: the officer asks 10 questions from a set of 20 marked questions and you need 6 right, in the language of your choice. The 20 are marked with an asterisk on the official lists; Civico shows them here: the 65/20 questions (2025 and 2008 tests), and en español.

Medical disability exception

"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." The form must be completed by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or a licensed clinical psychologist.

Which civics test, 2025 or 2008

"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." The exceptions above apply to both.

2025 test

For N-400s filed on or after Oct. 20, 2025. The officer asks up to 20 of the 128 questions; you need 12 right. The officer stops at 12 right or 9 wrong.

2008 test

For N-400s filed before Oct. 20, 2025. The officer asks up to 10 of the 100 questions; you need 6 right. The officer stops at 6 right or 5 wrong.

65/20

65 or older with 20 or more years as a permanent resident: 10 questions from the 20 starred questions, in the language you choose.

Reading and writing

Read out loud 1 of 3 sentences correctly and write 1 of 3 sentences correctly. The officer judges your spoken English during the interview.

Practice the 20 questions

Civico's 65/20 mode shows only the starred questions, in English with Spanish under each line in Spanish mode. Say the answer out loud, then check it against the official answers. 10 questions a day are free.

Sources: Exceptions and Accommodations on uscis.gov (USCIS last reviewed it on 01/09/2026; we read it on Oct. 26, 2026); Study for the Test and The Naturalization Interview and Test on uscis.gov (USCIS last reviewed it on 10/31/2025; we read it on Oct. 26, 2026). Civico is not affiliated with USCIS.