The 2025 citizenship test: how it works and how many questions you need
Short answer: if you filed your N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test. The list has 128 questions. At the interview the officer asks up to 20, out loud in English, and you pass with 12. The test stops as soon as you reach 12 right or 9 wrong.
The three parts
- Civics (history and government): oral. The officer asks and you answer. No multiple choice.
- Reading: read 1 of 3 sentences out loud correctly.
- Writing: write 1 of 3 sentences the officer dictates.
Reading and writing did not change in 2025. Practice them with the official vocabulary and sentences.
2025 vs. 2008
| 2008 test | 2025 test | |
|---|---|---|
| N-400 filed | before Oct 20, 2025 | on or after Oct 20, 2025 |
| Question list | 100 | 128 |
| Questions asked | up to 10 | up to 20 |
| To pass | 6 | 12 |
| Stops at | 6 right or 5 wrong | 12 right or 9 wrong |
Not sure which one is yours? Use which civics test do I take.
Answers that depend on you
Some answers change with elections: the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House and the Chief Justice (for example, question 38). Four depend on where you live: one of your senators, your representative, your governor and your state capital. Find them in officials by state.
If you're 65 or older
If you were 65+ with 20+ years as a permanent resident when you filed, you're asked 10 questions from a list of 20 (the starred ones) and pass with 6, in your language: the 65/20 questions.
How to prepare
- Study by topic, in the order of the USCIS list.
- Answer out loud. Nobody shows you options at the interview.
- Learn one short answer per question.
- Take the practice test a few times; it stops just like the officer does.
Official sources (checked Oct 16, 2026): USCIS · 2025 Civics Test · USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part E, Ch. 2 · USCIS · 128 Civics Questions (M-1778)
We are not USCIS or any government agency. This is an educational course built on the official USCIS lists; it is not legal advice. For your case, talk to an immigration attorney or a Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representative.