Citizenship

The civics test

The civics test is part of the naturalization interview. An officer asks you questions about U.S. government and history out loud, and you answer out loud. Which version you take depends on when you filed Form N-400: the 2025 test if you filed on or after October 20, 2025, and the 2008 test if you filed before.

Flashcards Practice test All 100 questions All study materials

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The forms

N-400

Who files itYou — with our software

Government feesShown in your free check

The forms

The form behind it

N-400

The application for naturalization — the form that takes a green card holder to citizenship.

Requirements

What the test asks

The naturalization test has two parts, English and civics, and both happen at your interview. Here is what each asks of you.

The 2025 civics test

For applications filed on or after October 20, 2025.
The officer asks 20 questions from a list of 128. You pass by answering 12 correctly.

The 2008 civics test

For applications filed before October 20, 2025.
The officer asks up to 10 questions from a list of 100. You pass by answering 6 correctly.

The English test

Speaking: the officer judges your spoken English during the interview itself.
Reading: you read 1 of 3 sentences out loud correctly.
Writing: you write 1 of 3 sentences correctly.

If an exception applies to you

Age 50 or older with 20 years as a green card holder, or 55 or older with 15 years: you skip the English test and take civics in your own language, with an interpreter you bring.
Age 65 or older with 20 years as a green card holder: you are asked 10 questions from a special list of 20, and you pass with 6. You can take it in the language you choose.
A physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment that prevents you from meeting these requirements: a licensed doctor or clinical psychologist can certify it on Form N-648.

The steps

How the test runs

Study
Learn the questions and answers for your version. Some answers change with elections, like the names of your senators and representative, so check the current ones before your interview.
Speaking
There is no separate speaking exam. The officer listens to your English as you go through your application together.
Reading and writing
The officer shows you sentences to read out loud, then reads sentences for you to write. You need one of three correct for each.
Civics
The officer asks the civics questions out loud, and you answer out loud. There is no written civics test.
If you miss a part
You are tested again on only the part you missed, English or civics, between 60 and 90 days after your first interview.

Study

Study materials

Practice with welcomeUSA

FlashcardsOur free practice, 2008 version: one question at a time Practice testTen questions, graded like the 2008 interview All 100 questionsThe full 2008 list, searchable

Official, from USCIS

2025 test: 128 questionsThe official questions and answers from USCIS (PDF)2025 study guideOne Nation, One People, from USCIS (large PDF)2008 test: 100 questionsThe official questions and answers from USCIS (PDF)Reading and writing wordsThe vocabulary lists for the English test, from USCIS

Questions

Common questions

When can I apply for citizenship?

Naturalization (Form N-400) is for green card holders — generally after five years, or three if married to a U.S. citizen. The free N-400 early filing calculator shows your 90-day early window.

What is the civics test?

Part of the naturalization interview: an officer asks you civics questions out loud, and you answer. Our civics test guide explains which version you take. To study, the free practice tool works three ways.

Can welcomeUSA help me prepare the N-400?

Yes — the N-400 is a self-help petition here. You answer simple questions, the software puts your answers on the official form, and every field, signature, and document is checked before your packet is marked ready.

See all questions