Table of Contents

2026 study guide · Official test name: 2025 Naturalization Civics Test

Start with your N-400 filing date. If you filed on or after October 20, 2025, the standard civics test uses a 128-question study bank. The officer asks up to 20 questions; you need 12 correct answers to pass. Applicants who filed before that date use the 2008 test. Age-based and medical exceptions can change the requirements. See USCIS test-version guidance.

Richard T. Herman, Esq., founder of Herman Legal Group

By Richard T. Herman, Esq.
Immigration attorney with more than 30 years of experience.
About Richard’s experience and approach

Book a Confidential Consultation
Questions about eligibility, an exception, or a previous denial? Call 216-696-6170.

Which USCIS civics test do you take: 100 or 128 questions?

The cutoff is on or after October 20, 2025, not simply “in 2026.” An interview scheduled in 2026 does not move an earlier-filed application to the newer question bank. Confirm the filing date recorded by USCIS for your application.

N-400 filing date Standard test Study / interview / pass
Before October 20, 2025 2008 Civics Test 100 questions to study; up to 10 asked; 6 correct to pass
On or after October 20, 2025 2025 Civics Test 128 questions to study; up to 20 asked; 12 correct to pass

Exceptions matter: 50/20 and 55/15 change the language requirement, not the question bank. Qualifying 65/20 applicants use a shorter list. An approved Form N-648 may excuse English, civics, or both. Compare the exceptions below.

Source: USCIS implementation notice and USCIS Policy Manual: English and Civics Testing.

Official USCIS questions, answers, and study PDFs

These study resources are free. If a PDF does not open, visit the official 2025 Civics Test page or USCIS Study for the Test page and select your test version. When using a saved copy or a study video, check that it identifies the correct version.

Herman Legal Group graphic: 128 questions for the U.S. citizenship civics test
The 128 questions are the study bank. The standard interview asks up to 20.

All 128 USCIS civics questions and answers

The question bank below follows USCIS’s 2025 version, Form M-1778 (09/25). The linked official PDF controls if USCIS revises an item. Question wording and listed answers are government study material; the navigation and study notes are HLG’s. An asterisk (*) identifies a 65/20 question.

How to use the answers: The bullets often give alternatives. Supply the number of answers the question requests—one, two, three, or another stated number. USCIS encourages using its listed answers; the list is not a promise that every possible alternative will be accepted. Questions about current officials require the correct name at your interview.

Questions 1–15: Principles of American Government

  1. What is the form of government of the United States?

    • Republic
    • Constitution-based federal republic
    • Representative democracy
  2. What is the supreme law of the land? *

    • (U.S.) Constitution
  3. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

    • Forms the government
    • Defines powers of government
    • Defines the parts of government
    • Protects the rights of the people
  4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?

    • Self-government
    • Popular sovereignty
    • Consent of the governed
    • People should govern themselves
    • (Example of) social contract
  5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

    • Amendments
    • The amendment process
  6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?

    • (The basic) rights of Americans
    • (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
  7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? *

    • Twenty-seven (27)
  8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

    • It says America is free from British control.
    • It says all people are created equal.
    • It identifies inherent rights.
    • It identifies individual freedoms.
  9. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

    • Declaration of Independence
  10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

    • Equality
    • Liberty
    • Social contract
    • Natural rights
    • Limited government
    • Self-government
  11. The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?

    • Declaration of Independence
  12. What is the economic system of the United States? *

    • Capitalism
    • Free market economy
  13. What is the rule of law?

    • Everyone must follow the law.
    • Leaders must obey the law.
    • Government must obey the law.
    • No one is above the law.
  14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.

    • Declaration of Independence
    • Articles of Confederation
    • Federalist Papers
    • Anti-Federalist Papers
    • Virginia Declaration of Rights
    • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
    • Mayflower Compact
    • Iroquois Great Law of Peace
  15. There are three branches of government. Why?

    • So one part does not become too powerful
    • Checks and balances
    • Separation of powers

Back to question sections · Official PDF

Questions 16–62: System of Government

  1. Name the three branches of government.

    • Legislative, executive, and judicial
    • Congress, president, and the courts
  2. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

    • Executive branch
  3. What part of the federal government writes laws?

    • (U.S.) Congress
    • (U.S. or national) legislature
    • Legislative branch
  4. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

    • Senate and House (of Representatives)
  5. Name one power of the U.S. Congress. *

    • Writes laws
    • Declares war
    • Makes the federal budget
  6. How many U.S. senators are there?

    • One hundred (100)
  7. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?

    • Six (6) years
  8. Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?

    • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. senators.]

    Find the current answer for your interview.

  9. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

    • Four hundred thirty-five (435)
  10. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

    • Two (2) years
  11. Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?

    • To more closely follow public opinion
  12. How many senators does each state have?

    • Two (2)
  13. Why does each state have two senators?

    • Equal representation (for small states)
    • The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
  14. Name your U.S. representative.

    • Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) representatives in Congress.]

    Find the current answer for your interview.

  15. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? *

    Find the current answer for your interview.

  16. Who does a U.S. senator represent?

    • Citizens of their state
    • People of their state
  17. Who elects U.S. senators?

    • Citizens from their state
  18. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

    • Citizens in their (congressional) district
    • Citizens in their district
    • People from their (congressional) district
    • People in their district
  19. Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

    • Citizens from their (congressional) district
  20. Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

    • (Because of) the state’s population
    • (Because) they have more people
    • (Because) some states have more people
  21. The President of the United States is elected for how many years? *

    • Four (4) years
  22. The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

    • (Because of) the 22nd Amendment
    • To keep the president from becoming too powerful
  23. What is the name of the President of the United States now? *

    Find the current answer for your interview.

  24. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? *

    Find the current answer for your interview.

  25. If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?

    • The Vice President (of the United States)
  26. Name one power of the president.

    • Signs bills into law
    • Vetoes bills
    • Enforces laws
    • Commander in Chief (of the military)
    • Chief diplomat
    • Appoints federal judges
  27. Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

    • The President (of the United States)
  28. Who signs bills to become laws?

    • The President (of the United States)
  29. Who vetoes bills? *

    • The President (of the United States)
  30. Who appoints federal judges?

    • The President (of the United States)
  31. The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

    • President (of the United States)
    • Cabinet
    • Federal departments and agencies
  32. What does the President’s Cabinet do?

    • Advises the President (of the United States)
  33. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

    • Attorney General
    • Secretary of Agriculture
    • Secretary of Commerce
    • Secretary of Education
    • Secretary of Energy
    • Secretary of Health and Human Services
    • Secretary of Homeland Security
    • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
    • Secretary of the Interior
    • Secretary of Labor
    • Secretary of State
    • Secretary of Transportation
    • Secretary of the Treasury
    • Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    • Secretary of War (Defense)
    • Vice-President
    • Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
    • Administrator of the Small Business Administration
    • Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
    • Director of the Office of Management and Budget
    • Director of National Intelligence
    • United States Trade Representative
  34. Why is the Electoral College important?

    • It decides who is elected president.
    • It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
  35. What is one part of the judicial branch?

    • Supreme Court
    • Federal Courts
  36. What does the judicial branch do?

    • Reviews laws
    • Explains laws
    • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
    • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution
  37. What is the highest court in the United States? *

    • Supreme Court
  38. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

    • Nine (9)
  39. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?

    • Five (5)
  40. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

    • (For) life
    • Lifetime appointment
    • (Until) retirement
  41. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

    • To be independent (of politics)
    • To limit outside (political) influence
  42. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

    Find the current answer for your interview.

  43. Name one power that is only for the federal government.

    • Print paper money
    • Mint coins
    • Declare war
    • Create an army
    • Make treaties
    • Set foreign policy
  44. Name one power that is only for the states.

    • Provide schooling and education
    • Provide protection (police)
    • Provide safety (fire departments)
    • Give a driver’s license
    • Approve zoning and land use
  45. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

    • (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
  46. Who is the governor of your state now? *

    • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a governor.]

    Find the current answer for your interview.

  47. What is the capital of your state?

    • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.]

    Find the current answer for your interview.

Back to question sections · Official PDF

Questions 63–72: Rights and Responsibilities

  1. There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

    • Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
    • You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
    • Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
    • A male citizen of any race (can vote).
  2. Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?

    • Citizens
    • Citizens of the United States
    • U.S. citizens
  3. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?

    • Freedom of expression
    • Freedom of speech
    • Freedom of assembly
    • Freedom to petition the government
    • Freedom of religion
    • The right to bear arms
  4. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? *

    • The United States
    • The flag
  5. Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.

    • Give up loyalty to other countries
    • Defend the (U.S.) Constitution
    • Obey the laws of the United States
    • Serve in the military (if needed)
    • Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed)
    • Be loyal to the United States
  6. How can people become United States citizens?

    • Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
    • Naturalize
    • Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)
  7. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

    • Vote
    • Run for office
    • Join a political party
    • Help with a campaign
    • Join a civic group
    • Join a community group
    • Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue)
    • Contact elected officials
    • Support or oppose an issue or policy
    • Write to a newspaper
  8. What is one way Americans can serve their country?

    • Vote
    • Pay taxes
    • Obey the law
    • Serve in the military
    • Run for office
    • Work for local, state, or federal government
  9. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

    • Required by law
    • All people pay to fund the federal government
    • Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)
    • Civic duty
  10. It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.

    • Required by law
    • Civic duty
    • Makes the draft fair, if needed

Back to question sections · Official PDF

Questions 73–89: Colonial Period and Independence

  1. The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.

    • Freedom
    • Political liberty
    • Religious freedom
    • Economic opportunity
    • Escape persecution
  2. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? *

    • American Indians
    • Native Americans
  3. What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

    • Africans
    • People from Africa
  4. What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?

    • American Revolution
    • The (American) Revolutionary War
    • War for (American) Independence
  5. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

    • High taxes
    • Taxation without representation
    • British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering)
    • They did not have self-government
    • Boston Massacre
    • Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)
    • Stamp Act
    • Sugar Act
    • Townshend Acts
    • Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
  6. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? *

    • (Thomas) Jefferson
  7. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

    • July 4, 1776
  8. The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

    • (Battle of) Bunker Hill
    • Declaration of Independence
    • Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)
    • (Battle of) Saratoga
    • Valley Forge (Encampment)
    • (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown)
  9. There were 13 original states. Name five.

    • New Hampshire
    • Massachusetts
    • Rhode Island
    • Connecticut
    • New York
    • New Jersey
    • Pennsylvania
    • Delaware
    • Maryland
    • Virginia
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Georgia
  10. What founding document was written in 1787?

    • (U.S.) Constitution
  11. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

    • (James) Madison
    • (Alexander) Hamilton
    • (John) Jay
    • Publius
  12. Why were the Federalist Papers important?

    • They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution.
    • They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.
  13. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.

    • Founded the first free public libraries
    • First Postmaster General of the United States
    • Helped write the Declaration of Independence
    • Inventor
    • U.S. diplomat
  14. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one. *

    • “Father of Our Country”
    • First president of the United States
    • General of the Continental Army
    • President of the Constitutional Convention
  15. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

    • Writer of the Declaration of Independence
    • Third president of the United States
    • Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase)
    • First Secretary of State
    • Founded the University of Virginia
    • Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom
  16. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

    • “Father of the Constitution”
    • Fourth president of the United States
    • President during the War of 1812
    • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
  17. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

    • First Secretary of the Treasury
    • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
    • Helped establish the First Bank of the United States
    • Aide to General George Washington
    • Member of the Continental Congress

Back to question sections · Official PDF

Questions 90–99: The 1800s

  1. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

    • Louisiana Territory
    • Louisiana
  2. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

    • War of 1812
    • Mexican-American War
    • Civil War
    • Spanish-American War
  3. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

    • The Civil War
  4. The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

    • (Battle of) Fort Sumter
    • Emancipation Proclamation
    • (Battle of) Vicksburg
    • (Battle of) Gettysburg
    • Sherman’s March
    • (Surrender at) Appomattox
    • (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg
    • Lincoln was assassinated.
  5. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one. *

    • Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
    • Saved (or preserved) the Union
    • Led the United States during the Civil War
    • 16th president of the United States
    • Delivered the Gettysburg Address
  6. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

    • Freed the slaves
    • Freed slaves in the Confederacy
    • Freed slaves in the Confederate states
    • Freed slaves in most Southern states
  7. What U.S. war ended slavery?

    • The Civil War
  8. What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?

    • 14th Amendment
  9. When did all men get the right to vote?

    • After the Civil War
    • During Reconstruction
    • (With the) 15th Amendment
    • 1870
  10. Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.

    • Susan B. Anthony
    • Elizabeth Cady Stanton
    • Sojourner Truth
    • Harriet Tubman
    • Lucretia Mott
    • Lucy Stone

Back to question sections · Official PDF

Questions 100–118: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

  1. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

    • World War I
    • World War II
    • Korean War
    • Vietnam War
    • (Persian) Gulf War
  2. Why did the United States enter World War I?

    • Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships
    • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia)
    • To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)
  3. When did all women get the right to vote?

    • 1920
    • After World War I
    • (With the) 19th Amendment
  4. What was the Great Depression?

    • Longest economic recession in modern history
  5. When did the Great Depression start?

    • The Great Crash (1929)
    • Stock market crash of 1929
  6. Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?

    • (Franklin) Roosevelt
  7. Why did the United States enter World War II?

    • (Bombing of) Pearl Harbor
    • Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
    • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia)
    • To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan)
  8. Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.

    • General during World War II
    • President at the end of (during) the Korean War
    • 34th president of the United States
    • Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System)
  9. Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War?

    • Soviet Union
    • USSR
    • Russia
  10. During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?

    • Communism
    • Nuclear war
  11. Why did the United States enter the Korean War?

    • To stop the spread of communism
  12. Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?

    • To stop the spread of communism
  13. What did the civil rights movement do?

    • Fought to end racial discrimination
  14. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one. *

    • Fought for civil rights
    • Worked for equality for all Americans
    • Worked to ensure that people would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”
  15. Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?

    • To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
  16. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? *

    • Terrorists attacked the United States
    • Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City
    • Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
    • Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania
  17. Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

    • (Global) War on Terror
    • War in Afghanistan
    • War in Iraq
  18. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

    • Apache
    • Blackfeet
    • Cayuga
    • Cherokee
    • Cheyenne
    • Chippewa
    • Choctaw
    • Creek
    • Crow
    • Hopi
    • Huron
    • Inupiat
    • Lakota
    • Mohawk
    • Mohegan
    • Navajo
    • Oneida
    • Onondaga
    • Pueblo
    • Seminole
    • Seneca
    • Shawnee
    • Sioux
    • Teton
    • Tuscarora

    For a complete list of tribes, please visit bia.gov.

  19. Name one example of an American innovation.

    • Light bulb
    • Automobile (cars, internal combustion engine)
    • Skyscrapers
    • Airplane
    • Assembly line
    • Landing on the moon
    • Integrated circuit (IC)

Back to question sections · Official PDF

Questions 119–124: Symbols

  1. What is the capital of the United States?

    • Washington, D.C.
  2. Where is the Statue of Liberty?

    • New York (Harbor)
    • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
  3. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? *

    • (Because there were) 13 original colonies
    • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
  4. Why does the flag have 50 stars?

    • (Because there is) one star for each state
    • (Because) each star represents a state
    • (Because there are) 50 states
  5. What is the name of the national anthem?

    • The Star-Spangled Banner
  6. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?

    • Out of many, one
    • We all become one

Back to question sections · Official PDF

Questions 125–128: Holidays

  1. What is Independence Day?

    • A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
    • The country’s birthday
  2. Name three national U.S. holidays. *

    • New Year’s Day
    • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    • Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
    • Memorial Day
    • Juneteenth
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Columbus Day
    • Veterans Day
    • Thanksgiving Day
    • Christmas Day
  3. What is Memorial Day?

    • A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
  4. What is Veterans Day?

    • A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
    • A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)

Back to question sections · Official PDF

Which civics answers change before the interview?

Use the official serving on the date of your naturalization interview. A name memorized when you filed N-400 may no longer be correct. The USCIS PDF deliberately sends readers to current sources for several answers.

  • Questions 30, 38, 39, and 57: Use USCIS test updates for the Speaker of the House, President, Vice President, and Chief Justice.
  • Question 23: Find your state’s senators using the official U.S. Senate directory. The question asks for one of them.
  • Question 29: Use the House representative lookup for your residential address. A U.S. senator is not your answer to this question.
  • Questions 61 and 62: Check your state government’s website for its governor and capital. Follow the official PDF’s special instructions if you live in Washington, D.C., or a U.S. territory.

Practice tip: Write these location-dependent answers on a separate study sheet and recheck them before the interview. Do not memorize “answers will vary” or “visit USCIS” as the spoken answer.

English exceptions, 65/20 special consideration, and Form N-648

Age and permanent-residence requirements are assessed when you file for naturalization. A language exception is different from an exception to the civics requirement.

Rule Qualifying age and LPR time at filing What changes
50/20 Age 50 or older; at least 20 years as a lawful permanent resident English exception; civics in a language you understand. The filing-date question bank still applies.
55/15 Age 55 or older; at least 15 years as a lawful permanent resident English exception; civics in a language you understand. The filing-date question bank still applies.
65/20 Age 65 or older; at least 20 years as a lawful permanent resident English exception plus 20 designated study questions; 10 asked, 6 correct required.
N-648 Qualifying disability or impairment; USCIS must approve the exception May excuse English, civics, or both, as supported by the medical certification.

If you qualify for an English exception and take civics in another language, bring an interpreter who is fluent in English and your language, following USCIS instructions. Read HLG’s guide to citizenship English-language exceptions and the official testing policy.

The 20 starred questions for 65/20 applicants using the 2025 test

Study these questions only if you meet the 65/20 requirements and the 2025 test applies to your N-400. Applicants using the 2008 test must use that version’s designated questions.

2, 7, 12, 20, 30, 36, 38, 39, 44, 52, 61, 66, 74, 78, 86, 94, 113, 115, 121, 126.

Medical exceptions: Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions is for a qualifying physical or developmental disability or mental impairment that prevents compliance with English, civics, or both. A licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or clinical psychologist must complete the certification. Age, difficulty studying, or limited English alone does not establish eligibility. An accommodation that helps you take the test is different from an exception that excuses a requirement.

Book a Confidential Consultation
HLG can review which testing rule applies to your case and whether supporting documentation is needed.

What happens during the civics test—and if you fail?

The civics test is oral. It is not a multiple-choice exam. For the standard 2025 test, the officer stops at 12 correct answers or 9 incorrect answers. The change to the civics test did not itself change the English reading, writing, speaking, and understanding requirements. See the official USCIS implementation notice.

You generally have two opportunities to pass the English and civics tests on one N-400 application. After a failed first attempt, USCIS generally retests only the portion or portions you failed, between 60 and 90 days after the first interview. If you passed civics and failed English, you generally retake English. If you failed both, both may be retested. Follow your new appointment notice and the USCIS interview and test guidance.

Failing the required portion again can result in denial. Review the decision and any hearing rights promptly. HLG’s USCIS denials and appeals guide explains when legal review may help. Passing the test alone does not establish eligibility for naturalization.

A practical way to study the 128 questions

  1. Confirm your version first. Use the table above and your N-400 filing information.
  2. Use one official question bank. Avoid mixing a 100-question study video with the 128-question PDF.
  3. Practice aloud. Ask a study partner to read questions in a different order, then answer without looking.
  4. Learn the required number of responses. Pay attention to “name one,” “name two,” and “name three.”
  5. Recheck changing answers. Confirm current officials and the answers specific to where you live.
  6. Prepare your application too. Review the filed N-400 and the documents listed on your appointment notice. Use HLG’s Form N-400 guide for the wider process.

USCIS civics test FAQs

Is there a separate 2026 USCIS civics test?

USCIS calls the 128-question version the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. It applies to Form N-400 applications filed on or after October 20, 2025, including applications filed in 2026. The interview year does not create a new test version.

Do I have to answer all 128 civics questions at the interview?

No. The 128 questions are the study bank. For the standard 2025 test, the officer asks up to 20 questions. You pass with 12 correct answers, and testing stops at 12 correct or 9 incorrect answers.

Which test applies if I filed before October 20, 2025?

The 2008 civics test applies to Form N-400 applications filed before October 20, 2025. Its standard format uses a 100-question study bank, up to 10 interview questions, and 6 correct answers to pass. Qualifying exceptions may change the testing requirements.

Does the 50/20 or 55/15 exception reduce the question bank?

No. These exceptions remove the English-language requirement for qualifying applicants and allow civics testing in a language they understand. The N-400 filing date still determines the test version. A shorter study list requires 65/20 special consideration, unless USCIS approves a medical exception to civics.

Which 20 questions do 65/20 applicants study?

Applicants who qualify for 65/20 special consideration study the 20 specially designated questions in the test version that applies to their N-400 filing date. In the 2025 list, those questions have an asterisk. The officer asks 10 of those 20 questions, and 6 correct answers are required.

Do I need to give every answer listed under a question?

Follow the question’s instruction. If it asks for one example, give one accepted example; if it asks for two or three, give that many. The official PDF often lists alternative answers. USCIS encourages applicants to use its listed answers.

What if an answer changes before my interview?

Use the answer that is correct on the date of your naturalization interview. Check USCIS test updates for federal officeholders and official government websites for your senator, representative, governor, and state capital.

What happens if I fail part of the naturalization test?

USCIS generally gives you two opportunities to pass the English and civics tests on one N-400 application. If you fail at the first interview, USCIS generally retests only the portion or portions you failed, between 60 and 90 days later. Follow the new appointment notice.

Help with naturalization in Ohio and nationwide

Herman Legal Group helps applicants evaluate naturalization eligibility, prepare for interviews, and address English-language exceptions, disability-exception questions, and denials. Our Ohio offices are in Cleveland and Worthington, serving Columbus. Learn about HLG citizenship and naturalization services.

For your USCIS appointment, follow the location and instructions on your notice and check the official field-office locator. Do not assume your interview will be held at the office nearest your home.

Book a Confidential Consultation
Call 216-696-6170

General information, not individualized legal advice. Herman Legal Group is not affiliated with USCIS. Official question and answer material is provided by USCIS; test answers and policies can change.

Back to the study links


Richard T. Herman, immigration attorney and founder of Herman Legal Group
Founder
Richard T. Herman is a U.S. immigration attorney and founder of Herman Legal Group. He has practiced immigration law for more than 30 years, representing individuals, families and employers in immigration matters throughout the United States.
Why trust Richard T. Herman? Founder of Herman Legal Group, more than 30 years of immigration law practice, co-author of Immigrant, Inc., and a Super Lawyers selection every year from 2004 through 2025.

Recent Resource Articles

Attorney Richard Herman shares his wealth of knowledge through our free blog.

U4U Parole: Re-Parole, Work Permits, TPS and Your Next Options

U4U parole expiring? Understand re-parole, work permits, Ukraine TPS dates,
Front view of a commercial airplane in sky

ICE Deportation Flights at Akron-Canton Airport: What Ohio Families Need to Know

ICE charter flights have landed at Akron-Canton Airport 167 times
Blue Immigration Law book beside a judge’s gavel and eyeglasses.

Supreme Court Revives Trump’s SAVE Voter Checks. A Database Is Not a Verdict.

The Supreme Court restored expanded SAVE checks while litigation continues.

Book Your Consultation

Honest Advice. Multilingual Team. Decades of Experience. Get the Clarity and Support you Deserve.

Contact us

Head Office OH

408 West Saint Clair Avenue, Suite 230 Cleveland, OH 44113

Phone Number

+1-216-696-6170