Complete study guide for the US naturalization civics test. Covers all 100 USCIS civics questions and answers, test format, exemptions, English test
The US citizenship civics test is part of the naturalization interview conducted by a USCIS officer. During the interview, the officer asks up to 10 questions drawn from USCIS's official list of 100 civics questions. To pass, you must answer at least 6 of the 10 questions correctly (60%).
The test is oral, the officer asks the questions verbally and you answer verbally. There is no written civics test. If you fail to answer 6 questions correctly in the first round, the officer will ask all remaining questions until you've had the full 10 questions. If you don't pass the first time, you receive one retake opportunity within 60–90 days.
Since March 2021, USCIS uses the 2008 Civics Test version (100 questions) for most applicants. Applicants who are 65 years of age or older and have been legal permanent residents for at least 20 years may take the 65/20 test, which covers only 20 of the 100 questions (marked with asterisks on the USCIS question list).
The USCIS 100 civics questions cover four thematic areas: American Government (principles of democracy, system of government, rights and responsibilities), American History (colonial period through 20th century), Integrated Civics (geography, symbols, national holidays), and Contemporary Topics (current federal and state officials at time of interview).
Principles of democracy: What is the supreme law of the land? The Constitution. What does the Constitution do? Sets up the government, defines the government, protects basic rights of Americans. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution, We the People. What is an amendment? A change to the Constitution.
System of government: How many US senators are there? 100. We elect a US senator for how many years? 6 years. The House of Representatives has how many voting members? 435. We elect a Representative for how many years? 2 years. How many justices are on the Supreme Court? 9. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government, name one power. To print money, to declare war, to create an army, to make treaties.
Rights and responsibilities: What is freedom of religion? You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion. What are two 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. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? The United States and the flag.
Current officials (these answers change and must be current at your interview): Who is the President of the United States now? Who is the Vice President now? Who is your state's governor? Who are your state's US Senators now? These require current knowledge, check current officeholders at the time of your interview.
Colonial and independence period: What is one reason colonists came to America? Freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, practice their religion, escape persecution. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? American Indians, Native Americans. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? Africans, people from Africa. Why did the colonists fight the British? High taxes (taxation without representation), British army stayed in their houses (quartering), they did not have self-government.
1800s: What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? The Louisiana Territory. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Civil War, Spanish-American War. 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. What did Susan B. Anthony do? Fought for women's rights, fought for civil rights.
Recent American history and other important historical information: Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, (Persian) Gulf War. Who was President during World War I? Woodrow Wilson. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? Franklin Roosevelt. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? Terrorists attacked the United States.
Civil Rights: What movement tried to end racial discrimination? Civil rights (movement). What did Martin Luther King Jr. do? Fought for civil rights, worked for equality for all Americans. What was one important thing Abraham Lincoln did? Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation), saved (or preserved) the Union, led the United States during the Civil War.
Geography: Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. Missouri (River), Mississippi (River). What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? Pacific (Ocean). What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? Atlantic (Ocean). Name one US territory. Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam. Name one state that borders Canada. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Alaska. Name one state that borders Mexico. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.
Symbols: What is the name of the national anthem? The Star-Spangled Banner. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? The Bill of Rights. What is the economic system in the United States? Capitalist economy, market economy. 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.
Holidays: What is Independence Day? July 4. Independence Day celebrates independence from whom? Great Britain. Name two national US holidays. New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
Name your state's capital: This varies by state and must be known for your interview. Capital of California is Sacramento. Capital of Texas is Austin. Capital of New York is Albany. Capital of Florida is Tallahassee. Capital of Illinois is Springfield. Look up your state's capital.
The English language test consists of three parts: reading (read one sentence from the USCIS reading vocabulary list correctly), writing (write one sentence dictated by the officer from the writing vocabulary list), and speaking (demonstrated throughout the interview).
USCIS reading vocabulary includes approximately 96 words covering civics topics: people (Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, the President), places (America, United States, Congress), things (Civil War, Constitution, Flag), and concepts (Bill of Rights, freedom, government). All reading sentences use words from this list.
USCIS writing vocabulary covers similar content. Practice writing sentences like: 'Abraham Lincoln was the President during the Civil War.' 'The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.' 'Citizens have the right to vote.' The sentences used in the actual test will be from combinations of these vocabulary words.
Exemptions from the English requirement: the 50/20 rule (50 years old and LPR for 20+ years) and the 55/15 rule (55 years old and LPR for 15+ years) exempt applicants from the English test. They may take the civics test in their native language with an interpreter. Form N-648 provides medical disability exemption for those unable to comply due to developmental disability or physical/mental impairment.
Sarah Chen, Immigration Attorney, has over a decade of experience advising employers and foreign nationals on H-1B petitions, green card sponsorship, and US immigration compliance.