N-400 Civics Test 2026: Questions, Format & Study Guide

If you have filed Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, the civics and English tests are the last big hurdle between you and U.S. citizenship. The civics test is an oral exam of ten questions drawn from a published list of 100. You must answer six correctly to pass. The English component covers reading, writing, and speaking. This guide is part of Claxton Law’s Naturalization & Citizenship pillar and reflects the rules in effect for 2026 applicants.

Which test version applies in 2026

USCIS used a 2008 test for most of the past two decades. A revised, expanded 2020 test was rolled out briefly in late 2020 with 128 questions and stricter passing criteria. On February 22, 2021, USCIS rescinded the 2020 version and returned to the 2008 test. As of 2026, the 2008 test remains the current version for the overwhelming majority of N-400 applicants.

USCIS has at times signaled it may revise the civics test again in future years. The agency’s public commitments include a public-comment process before any new version takes effect, so do not study for a rumored test that has not yet been published. Always check the live page at uscis.gov/citizenship/2008-civics-test for the question list that applies on the date of your interview.

How to confirm which version applies to your case

• Look at your N-400 interview notice (Form I-797C). The cover letter typically references the civics test version USCIS will use.
• Read the most recent Policy Manual Volume 12, Part E, Chapter 2 on the USCIS website.
• Confirm with your immigration attorney if you have one; counsel will track any in-progress rule changes.

How the civics test is administered

The civics test takes place during your in-person naturalization interview at a USCIS field office. There is no written civics exam; the USCIS officer reads questions aloud and listens to your spoken answers.

Test format at a glance

The officer reads civics questions in the order they appear on a private worksheet. As soon as you answer six correctly, the civics portion ends. If you have not answered six correctly after all ten questions, you have failed and will be rescheduled.

The reading test

The reading test checks your ability to read sentences in English that touch on civics vocabulary. The officer shows you a sentence on a digital tablet or paper, and you read it aloud. You must read one of up to three sentences correctly to pass.

A reading is correct when it conveys the meaning of the sentence to the officer. Pronunciation does not have to be perfect, but you cannot omit a content word, substitute another word that changes meaning, or pause so long that meaning is lost.

USCIS publishes a reading vocabulary list, organized by people, civics topics, places, holidays, and question words, on the citizenship resource center at uscis.gov/citizenship. Practicing those words in spoken sentences is the most efficient prep.

The writing test

The writing test mirrors the reading test in structure. The officer dictates a sentence, and you write it on a digital tablet. You have up to three attempts; you must write one of three sentences correctly.

A sentence is correct if it conveys the meaning of what the officer dictated. Minor spelling errors, capitalization, and punctuation do not cause a failure as long as the meaning is clear. Omitting a content word, substituting a different word, or writing a fragment that loses the meaning all count as incorrect.

USCIS publishes a writing vocabulary list covering the same civics-themed words. Repeated practice writing those words by hand, not just reading them, is essential.

The speaking test

There is no separate speaking test. The USCIS officer evaluates your ability to speak and understand English during the normal N-400 interview, when the officer reviews each section of your application and asks follow-up questions.

The officer is listening for: comprehension of plain English at conversational speed, ability to give a responsive answer (not a memorized recitation), and ability to ask for clarification or repetition when needed. You can say “please repeat the question” or “please say that more slowly” without losing points. What hurts is silence, blank stares, or answers that have no relationship to the question.

Quick answer: how is the N-400 English speaking test scored? There is no separate speaking exam. The USCIS officer evaluates your spoken English during the regular N-400 interview by asking you to confirm the answers on your application, explain trips outside the United States, describe your work and family, and respond to follow-up questions. Clear, on-topic, complete answers in everyday English are all you need. Asking the officer to repeat or rephrase is permitted and does not count against you.

Civics test exemptions

Three categories of N-400 applicants get partial or full relief from the standard English and civics tests. Always document eligibility with the underlying evidence (LPR card showing the qualifying date, USCIS’s residency calculations, or a Form N-648).

50/20 exception

If you are 50 or older on the date you file Form N-400 and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more, you are exempt from the English requirement. You still must take the civics test, but you may take it in your native language with your own interpreter.

55/15 exception

If you are 55 or older at filing with 15 years or more as an LPR, you are also exempt from the English requirement and may take the civics test in your native language with an interpreter.

65/20 exception (special consideration)

If you are 65 or older at filing with 20 years or more as an LPR, you take a simplified civics test from a shorter list of 20 questions (marked with an asterisk on the official 100 list) and may take it in your native language. See the simplified list below.

Medical disability waiver (Form N-648)

If a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment makes it impossible for you to learn the civics or English material, you may submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, completed by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or clinical psychologist. A valid N-648 can waive the English requirement, the civics requirement, or both.

The 100 civics questions by category

The 100 civics questions are organized by USCIS into three broad categories: American Government (questions on principles of democracy, the system of government, and rights and responsibilities), American History (colonial period, 1800s, and recent history), and Integrated Civics (geography, symbols, and holidays). Sample questions and their official USCIS answers appear below. Always cross-check the full live list at uscis.gov/citizenship/2008-civics-test; some answers (the current President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, your state Governor, your two U.S. Senators, your U.S. Representative) change with elections.

Category 1: American Government (sample questions)

1. What is the supreme law of the land? The Constitution.
2. What does the Constitution do? Sets up the government; defines the government; protects basic rights of Americans.
3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? We the People.
4. What is an amendment? A change to the Constitution; an addition to the Constitution.
5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? The Bill of Rights.
6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? Speech; religion; assembly; press; petition the government.
7. How many amendments does the Constitution have? Twenty-seven (27).
8. What did the Declaration of Independence do? Announced our independence from Great Britain.
9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? Life; liberty; pursuit of happiness.
10. 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.
11. Name one branch or part of the government. Congress; legislative; President; executive; the courts; judicial.
12. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? Checks and balances; separation of powers.
13. Who is in charge of the executive branch? The President.
14. Who makes federal laws? Congress; the Senate and House of Representatives; the U.S. or national legislature.
15. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? The Senate and House of Representatives.
16. How many U.S. Senators are there? One hundred (100).
17. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? Six (6).
18. The House of Representatives has how many voting members? Four hundred thirty-five (435).
19. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? Two (2).
20. What are two cabinet-level positions? Examples: Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Secretary of the Treasury.

Category 2: American History (sample questions)

21. What is one reason colonists came to America? Freedom; political liberty; religious freedom; economic opportunity; practice their religion; escape persecution.
22. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? American Indians; Native Americans.
23. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? Africans; people from Africa.
24. Why did the colonists fight the British? Because of high taxes (taxation without representation); because the British army stayed in their houses; because they didn’t have self-government.
25. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson.
26. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? July 4, 1776.
27. There were 13 original states. Name three. Examples: Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia.
28. What happened at the Constitutional Convention? The Constitution was written; the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
29. When was the Constitution written? 1787.
30. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. James Madison; Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; Publius.
31. Who was the first President? George Washington.
32. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? The Louisiana Territory.
33. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. War of 1812; Mexican-American War; Civil War; Spanish-American War.
34. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. The Civil War; the War between the States.
35. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did? Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation); saved the Union; led the United States during the Civil War.
36. What did Susan B. Anthony do? Fought for women’s rights; fought for civil rights.
37. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. World War I; World War II; Korean War; Vietnam War; (Persian) Gulf War.
38. Who was President during World War I? Woodrow Wilson.
39. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? Franklin Roosevelt.
40. What movement tried to end racial discrimination? Civil rights (movement).

Category 3: Integrated Civics (sample questions)

41. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. Missouri River; Mississippi River.
42. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? Pacific (Ocean).
43. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? Atlantic (Ocean).
44. Name one U.S. territory. Puerto Rico; U.S. Virgin Islands; American Samoa; Northern Mariana Islands; Guam.
45. Name one state that borders Canada. Examples: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Alaska.
46. Name one state that borders Mexico. California; Arizona; New Mexico; Texas.
47. What is the capital of the United States? Washington, D.C.
48. Where is the Statue of Liberty? New York (Harbor); Liberty Island. (Also acceptable: New Jersey; near New York City; on the Hudson River.)
49. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? Because there were 13 original colonies; because the stripes represent the original colonies.
50. Why does the flag have 50 stars? Because there is one star for each state; because each star represents a state.
51. What is the name of the national anthem? The Star-Spangled Banner.
52. When do we celebrate Independence Day? July 4.
53. Name two national U.S. holidays. Examples: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
54. What is the economic system in the United States? Capitalist economy; market economy.
55. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? Give up loyalty to other countries; defend the Constitution and laws of the U.S.; obey the laws of the U.S.; serve in the U.S. military if needed; serve the nation if needed; be loyal to the United States.

Quick answer: how many civics questions do I need to answer correctly? The USCIS officer asks up to ten civics questions, drawn from a public list of 100 (or a shorter list of 20 for the 65/20 exception). You must answer six correctly to pass. As soon as the sixth correct answer is given, the officer stops the civics portion and moves to reading and writing. Officers do not give partial credit; an answer is either correct or it is not.

The 65/20 simplified civics list

The 65/20 exception is one of the most generous accommodations in U.S. naturalization law. Applicants who are 65 or older on the day they file Form N-400 and have been lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years take a curated civics list of just 20 questions instead of all 100. These appear on the USCIS list marked with an asterisk. Sample 65/20 questions include:

1. What is the supreme law of the land? (The Constitution.)
2. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? (Speech.)
3. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? (The Bill of Rights.)
4. What is the economic system in the United States? (Capitalist or market economy.)
5. Name one branch or part of the government. (Congress; President; courts.)
6. Who is in charge of the executive branch? (The President.)
7. Who vetoes bills? (The President.)
8. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? (The President.)
9. What are the two major political parties in the United States? (Democratic and Republican.)
10. What is the “rule of law”? (No one is above the law.)
11. What is one promise you make when you become a U.S. citizen? (Obey the laws of the U.S.)
12. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? (Eighteen, 18.)
13. Name one right only for U.S. citizens. (Vote in a federal election; run for federal office.)
14. What is the capital of the United States? (Washington, D.C.)
15. Where is the Statue of Liberty? (New York Harbor; Liberty Island.)
16. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? (Because there were 13 original colonies.)
17. Why does the flag have 50 stars? (One star for each state.)
18. When do we celebrate Independence Day? (July 4.)
19. Name two national U.S. holidays. (Examples: Thanksgiving, Christmas.)
20. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? (Thomas Jefferson.)

Officers ask up to ten of these 20 questions and the applicant must answer six correctly. The full official 65/20 list is published at uscis.gov/citizenship.

Study tips that work

• Use the official USCIS materials first. The free study booklet, flashcards, civics audio podcast, and the practice test at uscis.gov/citizenship are written by the same agency that writes the actual exam.
• Update the “current officials” answers the week before your interview. President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, your state Governor, your two U.S. Senators, and your U.S. Representative are the most common reasons people miss otherwise easy questions.
• Study aloud, not silently. The test is oral. Saying the answer out loud trains the muscle memory you actually need.
• Pair every civics question with one reading and one writing practice. A 15-minute daily routine is more effective than 3-hour cram sessions on the weekend.
• Join a free citizenship class. Many public libraries, community colleges, and nonprofits offer no-cost classes that mirror the exam format. The USCIS website has a class locator.
• Practice with a partner who plays the officer. Have them read the questions in random order and stop at six correct, exactly like the real test.
• Speak in complete sentences during practice for the speaking test. Officers downgrade one-word responses and rote recitation.

What happens if you fail

Failing any one portion of the test (civics, reading, or writing) at your interview does not end your case. USCIS gives one retest opportunity, scheduled 60 to 90 days after the first interview. You are retested only on the portions you failed, not the ones you passed.

Failing the retest

If you fail the retest, the officer denies the N-400. Your only path forward is to file a new Form N-400 and pay the filing fee again. There is no appeal of a substantive test failure, although you may file Form N-336 to request a hearing on other types of denials. Most denied applicants reapply within several months after additional studying.

Other denial reasons that can surface at the interview

• Failure to demonstrate good moral character (criminal records, false statements, unpaid taxes, child-support delinquency).
• Continuous residence or physical presence problems.
• Selective Service registration issues for men who lived in the U.S. between ages 18 and 26.
• Discovery of abandonment of LPR status through long absences.

Related naturalization guides

• N-400 eligibility checklist: continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, and the English / civics requirements.
• After you pass: the Oath of Allegiance: what to expect at the naturalization ceremony.
• Naturalization & Citizenship (pillar overview): the full path from green card to citizenship.

Frequently asked questions