How many questions are on the citizenship test?
If you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test: a USCIS officer asks up to 20 questions out loud from a list of 128, and 12 correct answers pass. The officer stops at 12 right or 9 wrong. If you filed earlier, you take the 2008 test: up to 10 questions from a list of 100, and 6 correct answers pass.
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In more detail
The civics test is oral. There is no answer sheet and no multiple choice: the officer reads a question and you answer out loud. Because the officer stops at 12 correct answers, a strong run can end the civics part after 12 questions, and 9 wrong answers end it with a fail. Either way, the pass mark is 60%.
Applicants who are 65 or older and have been permanent residents for at least 20 years get special consideration on both versions. They study only the 20 questions marked with an asterisk, are asked 10 of them and need 6 correct. They may also take the civics test in the language of their choice.
The interview also includes an English test. You must read 1 of 3 sentences correctly out loud and write 1 of 3 sentences correctly, and the officer judges your speaking during the interview itself. Some civics answers change after elections or appointments, such as the names of officials. Check the USCIS test updates page before your interview and answer with whoever serves at that time.
2025 civics test vs 2008 civics test (USCIS)
| Detail | 2025 test | 2008 test |
|---|---|---|
| Who takes it | N-400 filed on or after Oct 20, 2025 | N-400 filed before Oct 20, 2025 |
| Questions to study | 128 | 100 |
| Questions asked | Up to 20 | Up to 10 |
| Correct answers to pass | 12 | 6 |
| Wrong answers that fail | 9 | 5 |
| 65/20 special consideration | 10 of 20 starred questions, 6 to pass | 10 of 20 starred questions, 6 to pass |
Step by step
- 1
Check your N-400 filing date to see which test and which list you need.
- 2
Download the official question list from uscis.gov and split it into themed chunks, such as the Constitution, the branches of government and American history.
- 3
Turn each question into a flashcard and answer it out loud before you flip it, because the real test is spoken.
- 4
Review the cards you miss every day and the ones you know every few days.
- 5
In the last week, have someone read you random questions and stop at 12 right or 9 wrong, like the officer does.
- 6
Check the USCIS test updates page for answers that changed after an election.
How StudyPDF helps
Upload the USCIS question list, the study guide or your citizenship class handouts, then press New material for flashcards or a quiz on one theme at a time, such as the branches of government. StudyPDF tracks the questions you keep missing, so your next quiz targets them, and every answer links back to the page it came from. You can start on the free plan.
Sources
See also
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More questions
Is the citizenship test multiple choice?
No. It is an oral test. The officer asks each question out loud and you answer out loud. Many questions accept more than one correct answer, and the official USCIS list shows them.
Do I need to study all 128 questions?
Yes, if you take the 2025 test, because the officer can pick any question from the list. The exception is the 65/20 rule: applicants 65 or older with at least 20 years as permanent residents study only the 20 starred questions.
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