US Citizenship Test practice test

The US citizenship test has two parts: an English test (reading, writing and speaking) and a civics test on American government, history and symbols. Both are taken during your naturalization interview with a USCIS officer, usually several months after you file Form N-400. There is no separate test fee; it is covered by your N-400 filing fee.

Which version do you take? 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 the official list of 128, and you pass once you have answered 12 correctly. If you filed before that date, you take the 2008 version: up to 10 questions from a list of 100, with 6 correct answers needed. Check the receipt date on your N-400 receipt notice to be sure.

How the civics test works on the day

The civics test is oral. The officer reads each question aloud and you answer in English. There are no answer choices to pick from, so you need to recall the answer, not just recognize it. The officer stops asking questions as soon as you reach the pass mark, and also stops once you can no longer reach it. Many answers have several acceptable versions; you only need to give one. Some answers depend on where you live (your two US senators, your US representative, your state governor and state capital) and some change over time (the current President, Vice President and Speaker of the House), so check those shortly before your interview.

What the 128 questions cover

USCIS groups the questions into three areas. American government covers the principles of American democracy, the system of government (the three branches, Congress, the President, the courts and federalism) and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. American history runs from the colonial period and independence through the 1800s to recent history. Symbols and holidays covers the flag, the national anthem and national holidays. Our questions and answers page follows the same grouping so you can study one area at a time.

The English test

Your English is assessed in three ways during the same interview. Speaking is judged by how you answer the officer’s questions about your application. For reading, you must read one of three sentences correctly; for writing, you must write one of three sentences the officer dictates. USCIS publishes the vocabulary lists for the reading and writing tests, and the words are the same civics-related words you will see in the questions. Our guide to the US citizenship English test explains each part.

Who gets an easier or shorter test

If you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more (the “65/20” rule), you study only a marked subset of the questions, and the officer asks 10 of them, with 6 correct needed. Applicants who are 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident, or 55 or older with 15 years, are exempt from the English test and may take the civics test in their own language with an interpreter. Applicants with a physical, developmental or mental impairment that lasts at least 12 months can ask for an exception with Form N-648, completed by a licensed medical professional.

What happens if you do not pass

You get two chances. If you fail any part of the test at your first interview, USCIS schedules a second interview, normally 60 to 90 days later, and you are retested only on the part you failed. If you fail again, your application is denied, although you can file a new N-400 and start over. Our guide on what happens if you fail a citizenship test has more detail.

How to study

1. Confirm your test version from your N-400 receipt date, then start with practice mode, which shows the answer and a short explanation after every question.
2. Study by topic. Government questions are the largest group and the most likely to be asked, so make sure they are solid before moving on.
3. Look up your location-specific answers (senators, representative, governor, capital) and the current office holders, and write them down.
4. Practice saying the answers out loud. The real test is spoken, and many people who know the answers freeze when they have to say them to an officer.
5. Take a timed mock exam every few days. When you can pass three in a row, review only your weak questions until they are gone.

All questions on this page are based on the official USCIS question lists. Always check the USCIS study page linked on this page for the current list and the latest office holders before your interview.