How to pass the citizenship test

The civics test is the most predictable test you will ever take: every question and every accepted answer is published by USCIS, and the officer asks from that list. People fail it by studying the wrong list, by giving an answer that has changed, or by freezing on an oral test they only ever read. Here is how to avoid each.

Is the citizenship test hard?

You need 12 right out of up to 20 questions on the 2025 test (the officer stops at 12 right or 9 wrong), or 6 of up to 10 on the 2008 test. There are no trick questions and no multiple choice: the officer asks, you answer. With the official list in front of you, the only real difficulties are the size of the 2025 list (128 questions) and answering out loud in English.

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.

You get two attempts

USCIS: "You will be given two attempts to take the English and civics tests and to answer all questions relating to your naturalization application in English. If you fail any of the tests at your initial interview, you will be retested on the portion of the test that you failed (English or civics) between 60 and 90 days from the date of your initial interview."

Why people fail

• The wrong list. "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." Study the list for your filing date (which is yours).
• An answer that changed. Several answers name current officeholders. Learn today's answers and check uscis.gov the week of your interview.
• Reading instead of speaking. The test is oral. Practice saying each answer out loud before you look at it.
• Skipping the English part. One of three sentences read correctly, one of three written correctly (how it works); the words come from short official lists.
• Not knowing your own N-400. The officer asks about your application and background first. Reread what you filed.

A short plan

1. Work through the list in order, one section a day, saying each answer out loud (the study guide has the sections and a seven-day plan).
2. Learn the answers that change, and your state's governor, senators and representative if your list asks for them.
3. Take a mock interview every day in the last week; study only the questions you missed.

Exemptions that change the test

At 50 with 20 years as a permanent resident, or 55 with 15 years, you are exempt from English and may take the civics test in your language with an interpreter; at 65 with 20 years the test uses 20 marked questions. Details for seniors.

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