US Citizenship Test: Complete Preparation Guide

The U.S. citizenship test is the English and civics portion of the naturalization interview. A USCIS officer asks about your Form N-400, checks your English, and asks civics questions out loud. This guide is about the civics portion only. It is not a checklist for eligibility and it is not legal advice.

Two civics tests are in use

USCIS assigns the civics version by the date Form N-400 is filed. Applications filed before October 20, 2025 use the 2008 civics test: 100 questions in the study bank, up to 10 asked, 6 correct to pass. Applications filed on or after October 20, 2025 use the 2025 civics test: 128 questions in the study bank, up to 20 asked, 12 correct to pass. The officer stops early once you pass or once you can no longer pass.

• Confirm the filing date on your receipt, not the date you started studying.
• Do not mix the two lists. Some questions sound similar and have different wording.
• Read the USCIS test-updates page for names of officials, which change.

What the questions cover

Both banks cover American government, American history, and national symbols or holidays. The 2008 bank also has a geography section. You do not need a textbook of every event in U.S. history. You need the answers USCIS prints, said clearly, including the number of answers the question requests. “Name one” means one is enough. “Name three” means three.

A study plan that stays honest

Start with the starred 65/20 questions only if you already know you qualify. Everyone else should learn the full bank for their version. Study in short sessions, say the answer aloud, and mark the questions you hesitate on. A PDF is a good source. It is a weak practice tool, because it cannot tell you which questions you keep missing. That is the job of flashcards, a mock exam, and a progress record.

The multiple-choice sample on this website is a learning exercise. The interview is oral. An alternative phrasing of a correct answer can still count, and USCIS makes that decision.