U.S. Citizenship Test 2026: How Many Questions, and How Many Do You Need Right?

If you file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test: the officer asks up to 20 questions from a list of 128, and you need 12 correct answers to pass. If you filed before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 test: the officer asks up to 10 questions from a list of 100, and you need 6 correct answers.

Besides civics, you also take an English test covering speaking, reading, and writing. This article summarizes each part, the age-based English exemptions, and what happens if you do not pass the first time.

What parts does the naturalization test have?

According to USCIS, the naturalization test has two main parts. Both take place during your naturalization interview with a USCIS officer. There is no separate test day.

• English: your ability to speak, understand, read, and write basic English.
• Civics: answering oral questions about U.S. history and how the U.S. government is organized.

2025 test: up to 20 questions, 12 correct to pass

The 2025 civics test applies to people who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025. The study list has 128 questions. At the interview, the officer asks up to 20 questions out loud, randomly selected from this list by a USCIS system.

You need 12 correct answers to pass. The officer stops as soon as you have answered 12 correctly, or once you have answered 9 incorrectly. So if you answer correctly from the start, the civics part can be over after just 12 questions.

2008 test: up to 10 questions, 6 correct to pass

The 2008 civics test applies to people who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025. The study list has 100 questions. The officer asks up to 10 questions out loud, and you need 6 correct. The officer stops once you have 6 correct or 5 incorrect.

According to the USCIS Policy Manual, the share of correct answers needed to pass is 60 percent on both versions. Your answer is accepted if it is correct, or if you say it in different words that mean the same as the correct answer.

The English test: speaking, reading, writing

There is no separate speaking test. The officer judges your ability to speak and understand English through the questions asked during the interview, mostly questions about your Form N-400. You may ask the officer to repeat a question or to say it in a different way.

Reading: you must read 1 of 3 sentences out loud correctly. Writing: the officer reads a sentence aloud, you write it down, and you must write 1 of 3 sentences correctly. Once you read or write one sentence correctly, the officer stops that part.

Spelling, capitalization, or punctuation mistakes do not make you fail the writing test unless they keep the officer from understanding the sentence. Note: do not abbreviate any of the words the officer reads to you.

The 65/20 rule and age-based English exemptions

Some older applicants who have held a Green Card for many years are exempt from the English test. Age and years as a permanent resident are counted as of the date you file Form N-400.

• 50/20: age 50 or older and living in the U.S. as a Green Card holder for at least 20 years. Exempt from English, still takes the civics test, but may take it in the language of their choice.
• 55/15: age 55 or older and living in the U.S. as a Green Card holder for at least 15 years. Exempt from English, still takes the civics test, but may take it in the language of their choice.
• 65/20: age 65 or older and living in the U.S. as a Green Card holder for at least 20 years. Exempt from English, and only needs to study the 20 questions USCIS marks with an asterisk (*). The officer asks 10 of those 20, and 6 correct is a pass.

If you take the civics test in Vietnamese, you must bring your own interpreter to the interview. That person must be fluent in both English and Vietnamese. Separately, people with a disability or medical condition that prevents them from learning and testing may request an exception with Form N-648, completed by a licensed doctor or clinical psychologist.

Every situation is different. If you are not sure whether you qualify for an exemption, ask an immigration attorney or a Department of Justice recognized organization.

What if you do not pass the first time?

You get two chances to pass the English and civics tests: the first interview and a re-examination. If you fail any part at the first interview, USCIS will schedule you to retest between 60 and 90 days after that first interview.

At the retest, you only take the part you did not pass. For example, if you passed speaking, reading, and civics but failed writing, you only take the writing test next time. The officer will also use a different test form from the first one.

A few things to know while studying

• Some answers change because of elections or appointments, such as the name of a current officeholder. You must answer with the name of the person serving on the day of your interview.
• At the end of the interview, the officer gives you a results notice that includes your English and civics test results.

In short, the first step is to find your filing date so you know which test you will take, then study that version. If you are not exempt, practice your English reading and writing as well.