U.S. Citizenship Test 2026: English and Civics Guide

Quick Answer: What Is the U.S. Citizenship Test?

The U.S. citizenship test, also called the naturalization test, is part of the naturalization interview. It generally includes an English test and a civics test. After filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, applicants complete these testing requirements unless an exception applies.

The English test measures speaking, reading, and writing skills. The civics test covers U.S. government and history. Which civics test you take depends on when you filed Form N-400 because USCIS currently uses the 2025 and 2008 civics test versions for different applicants.

Some applicants may qualify for an English or civics exception or special consideration. This guide explains which test applies, passing requirements, preparation, and what happens if you do not pass.

Which U.S. Citizenship Civics Test Will You Take?

The civics test version you take depends on your Form N-400 filing date. If you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you generally take the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. If you filed before October 20, 2025, you generally take the 2008 Civics Test.

Both versions may still be used in 2026 because some naturalization applications filed before the transition date remain pending.

The two tests cover U.S. government and history, but they use different question banks and passing requirements. For that reason, confirm which version applies before you begin studying.

Your Form N-400 filing date, not the date of your naturalization interview, determines which standard civics test applies. Use study materials for the correct version so you prepare for the questions and scoring rules USCIS will use during your interview.

What Is Included in the U.S. Citizenship Test?

The U.S. citizenship test has two main components: an English test and a civics test. Unless an exception applies, applicants complete both as part of the naturalization interview.

The English test checks three basic skills:

• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing

The civics test checks the applicant’s knowledge of U.S. government and history.

A USCIS officer administers the testing during the naturalization interview while also reviewing the Form N-400 application and the applicant’s eligibility.

Some applicants may qualify for an English or civics exception or receive special consideration based on their circumstances. Those rules are explained later in this guide.

For the full sequence before and after the citizenship test, see our naturalization process guide.

How Does the U.S. Citizenship English Test Work?

The English portion of the naturalization test checks whether you can speak, read, and write basic English. USCIS evaluates these skills during the naturalization interview unless you qualify for an English-language exception.

Speaking Test

There is no separate standalone speaking exam. A USCIS officer evaluates your ability to speak and understand English through the questions normally asked during the Form N-400 eligibility interview.

You should be able to understand the officer’s questions and respond with basic English words or phrases. USCIS officers may repeat or rephrase questions when necessary.

Before your interview, review the Form N-400 you submitted so you are familiar with your answers and can respond accurately. For the full appointment process, see our naturalization interview guide.

Reading Test

For the reading test, USCIS gives you up to three sentences to read aloud. You must correctly read one of the three sentences to pass the reading portion.

USCIS evaluates whether you can read the sentence without errors that interfere with its meaning. Small pronunciation or intonation errors may be acceptable if the sentence can still be understood, but omitting or replacing important words can cause a sentence to be marked incorrect.

USCIS publishes an official reading vocabulary list that contains the words used in this part of the test.

Writing Test

For the writing test, a USCIS officer dictates up to three sentences. You must correctly write one of the three sentences to pass the writing portion.

Some spelling, grammar, capitalization, or punctuation errors may be acceptable if they do not interfere with the meaning of the sentence. USCIS does not allow applicants to abbreviate a dictated word.

USCIS generally uses a digital tablet for the reading and writing tests, although paper may be used in some cases. The officer will explain how to use the testing method before you begin.

USCIS also provides an official writing vocabulary list containing the words used in the test.

How Does the U.S. Citizenship Civics Test Work?

The civics portion of the U.S. citizenship test is an oral test about U.S. government and history. The number of questions you study, how many the USCIS officer may ask, and the passing requirement depend on whether you take the 2025 Civics Test or the 2008 Civics Test.

2025 Civics Test

The 2025 Naturalization Civics Test uses a bank of 128 questions covering American government and history. During the naturalization interview, a USCIS officer asks you up to 20 questions from that study bank. You must answer at least 12 correctly to pass.

The civics test is given orally. It is not a multiple-choice test, so you answer the officer’s questions verbally.

Some answers can change because of elections or government appointments. For questions about current officials, prepare the answer that is correct at the time of your naturalization interview.

You do not need to review all of the questions on this page. See our U.S. citizenship test questions and answers guide for the appropriate study questions and answers.

2008 Civics Test

Some applicants still take the 2008 Civics Test because they filed Form N-400 before the October 20, 2025 transition date.

The 2008 test has a bank of 100 civics questions. During the interview, the USCIS officer asks up to 10 questions, and you must answer at least 6 correctly to pass.

Although this test remains relevant for eligible earlier filings, applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 generally take the 2025 Civics Test instead.

What Score Do You Need to Pass the Citizenship Test?

The citizenship test passing score depends on which civics test version applies to you. The English portion uses separate requirements for speaking, reading, and writing.

For the civics test:

• 2025 Civics Test: Answer at least 12 of up to 20 questions correctly.
• 2008 Civics Test: Answer at least 6 of up to 10 questions correctly.

For the English test:

• Reading: Correctly read 1 of up to 3 sentences.
• Writing: Correctly write 1 of up to 3 sentences.
• Speaking: USCIS evaluates your ability to understand and answer questions in English during the naturalization interview.

These requirements apply unless you qualify for an exception or special consideration.

How to Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test

The best way to prepare is to first identify the civics test that applies to you, then use the matching USCIS study materials. You should also practice the English skills USCIS evaluates during the naturalization interview.

1. Confirm Which Civics Test Applies

Check your Form N-400 filing date before studying. Applicants who filed on or after October 20, 2025 generally take the 2025 Civics Test, while eligible earlier filings generally use the 2008 Civics Test. Make sure your study materials match your test version.

2. Use Official USCIS Study Materials

Use the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center for official civics questions, study guides, vocabulary, audio resources, flashcards, and other preparation materials.

For additional practice, see our U.S. citizenship test questions and answers guide. Use it together with the official USCIS materials for the test version that applies to you.

3. Practice English Using Your Form N-400

USCIS evaluates speaking during the naturalization interview. Review the Form N-400 you submitted and practice answering basic questions about the information in your application in English.

4. Practice Reading and Writing Vocabulary

Use USCIS’s official reading and writing vocabulary lists. Practice reading the words aloud and writing them in complete sentences so you are familiar with the vocabulary USCIS uses during testing.

5. Check Answers That Can Change

Some civics answers change after elections or government appointments. Shortly before your interview, review the current answers for questions about elected and appointed officials. USCIS expects the answer that is correct at the time of your naturalization interview.

What Happens If You Do Not Pass the Citizenship Test?

If you do not pass the English or civics portion during your first naturalization examination, USCIS generally gives you a second opportunity to pass the part you did not complete successfully.

USCIS usually schedules the second examination 60 to 90 days after the first examination. You are retested only on the portion you did not pass. For example, if you pass English but do not pass civics, USCIS generally retests you only on civics.

If you do not meet the applicable testing requirement after the second opportunity, USCIS may deny Form N-400. USCIS will provide written information explaining its decision and any available next steps.

A test result is only one part of the naturalization decision. For broader denial issues, see our guide to reasons Form N-400 may be denied.

U.S. Citizenship Test Exceptions and Special Consideration

Some naturalization applicants do not have to meet the standard English testing requirements, while others may receive special consideration for the civics test. The rules depend on age, time as a lawful permanent resident, or a qualifying disability or impairment.

50/20 and 55/15 English Exceptions

You are exempt from the English-language requirement if, when you file Form N-400, you are:

• Age 50 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years; or
• Age 55 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 15 years.

You must still take the civics test. However, you may take it in the language of your choice. If you take the civics test in a language other than English, you must have an interpreter who is fluent in both English and your preferred language.

65/20 Special Consideration

If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years when you file Form N-400, USCIS provides special consideration for the civics test.

For the 2025 Civics Test, qualifying applicants study only the 20 specially designated questions. The USCIS officer asks 10 of those questions, and the applicant must answer at least 6 correctly. You may also take the civics test in the language of your choice.

Applicants taking an earlier test version should use the USCIS materials designated for that version.

Medical Disability Exception — Form N-648

A physical or developmental disability or mental impairment may qualify an applicant for an exception to the English requirement, the civics requirement, or both. The condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months and must prevent the applicant from meeting the applicable testing requirement.

To request the exception, submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. It must be certified by an authorized U.S.-licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or clinical psychologist.

USCIS decides whether the applicant qualifies. Illiteracy or advanced age alone does not qualify as a medical disability exception. See our Form N-648 guide for more information.

Disability Accommodations for the Citizenship Test

A disability accommodation is different from a test exception. An accommodation changes how an applicant completes the naturalization process; it does not automatically remove the English or civics testing requirement.

Depending on the applicant’s disability and needs, USCIS may provide accommodations such as a sign-language interpreter, accessibility adjustments, an alternative way to respond to questions, or an interview at a home or medical facility when USCIS approves it.

If you need a disability accommodation for a scheduled USCIS appointment, follow the instructions on your appointment notice or use the USCIS disability accommodations process. USCIS may ask for information about the accommodation you need and the appointment involved.

The accommodation provided depends on the individual’s needs and USCIS’s determination. Form N-648 is used for a medical exception from testing requirements, not simply to request an accommodation.

U.S. Citizenship Test FAQs