How many questions are on the US citizenship test?

On the 2025 civics test the officer asks up to 20 questions from a list of 128, and you need 12 correct. People who filed Form N-400 before 20 October 2025 take the 2008 test: up to 10 questions from 100, with 6 correct to pass.

Is the US citizenship test multiple choice?

No. A USCIS officer asks the questions out loud and you answer out loud. Our practice questions use multiple choice to help you learn the facts, so also practise answering without options.

What happens if you fail the US citizenship test?

You get a second attempt. USCIS retests you between 60 and 90 days after your first interview, only on the part you failed (English or civics).

Do I need to learn all 128 civics questions?

Yes, unless you qualify for the 65/20 rule. The officer can ask any 20 of the 128. Applicants aged 65 or over with 20 years as permanent residents only study the 20 questions marked with an asterisk.

How long does it take to study for the citizenship test?

About 4 weeks at 20 to 30 minutes a day is enough for most people to learn the list and practise saying the answers.

How to pass the US citizenship test

Checked against official sources on 1 October 2026

The US civics test is spoken, not written. A USCIS officer asks you up to 20 questions from an official list of 128, and you pass when you have answered 12 correctly. Because USCIS publishes every question, you can prepare for all of them. Here is how.

Questions: 20
Pass mark: 12 correct
Time: Oral test

Which test will you take?

It depends on when you filed Form N-400. If you filed on or after 20 October 2025, you take the 2025 test: 20 questions from a list of 128, with 12 correct needed to pass.

If you filed before 20 October 2025, you take the 2008 test: up to 10 questions from a list of 100, with 6 correct needed to pass.

If you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more, you only need to study the 20 questions marked with an asterisk, and you can take the test in the language of your choice.

How the 2025 civics test works

The officer asks the questions out loud and you answer out loud. There are no multiple-choice options.
The officer stops as soon as you have 12 correct answers, or 9 incorrect ones.
Many questions have several accepted answers. You only need to give one, unless the question asks for more.
Some answers change over time, such as the names of the President or your senators. USCIS lists the current answers on its test updates page.
Some answers depend on where you live, such as your state's governor and capital.

The English test

The civics test comes with an English test in three parts. Speaking: the officer judges your spoken English during the interview about your N-400. Reading: you read 1 of 3 sentences aloud correctly. Writing: you write 1 of 3 sentences correctly.

Reading your own N-400 answers aloud is good practice, because the officer will ask about them.

If you do not pass

You get two attempts. If you fail the English test or the civics test at your first interview, USCIS retests you between 60 and 90 days later, and only on the part you failed.

A 4-week study plan

128 questions is a lot to learn at once. About 15 new questions a day, said aloud, gets you through the list in under two weeks with time to repeat it.

Weeks 1 and 2Learn the list one topic at a time with our topic quizzes. For each question, pick the accepted answer that is easiest for you to say, and say it aloud.
Week 3Look up the answers that are about you: your state's senators, your representative, your governor and your state capital. Check the current office holders on the USCIS test updates page.
Week 4Ask a friend or family member to read questions to you in a random order, without showing you options. Practise until you can answer 18 of 20.
Every weekPractise the English test: read short sentences aloud and write them down from dictation.

Practise for free

Full 20-question practice tests with the real pass mark, and a quiz for every topic. Every answer is explained.

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Common mistakes

Studying the wrong list. Check your N-400 filing date to see whether you take the 2008 or the 2025 test.
Only practising with multiple choice. In the real test nobody shows you options.
Memorising every accepted answer when one is enough.
Learning old names for office holders instead of checking the current ones.
Forgetting the English reading and writing test.

Questions

How many questions are on the US citizenship test?: On the 2025 civics test the officer asks up to 20 questions from a list of 128, and you need 12 correct. People who filed Form N-400 before 20 October 2025 take the 2008 test: up to 10 questions from 100, with 6 correct to pass.
Is the US citizenship test multiple choice?: No. A USCIS officer asks the questions out loud and you answer out loud. Our practice questions use multiple choice to help you learn the facts, so also practise answering without options.
What happens if you fail the US citizenship test?: You get a second attempt. USCIS retests you between 60 and 90 days after your first interview, only on the part you failed (English or civics).
Do I need to learn all 128 civics questions?: Yes, unless you qualify for the 65/20 rule. The officer can ask any 20 of the 128. Applicants aged 65 or over with 20 years as permanent residents only study the 20 questions marked with an asterisk.
How long does it take to study for the citizenship test?: About 4 weeks at 20 to 30 minutes a day is enough for most people to learn the list and practise saying the answers.

Official sources

TestWise Prep is an independent practice site and is not affiliated with the government of United States. The test facts on this page come from the official pages above; the study plan and tips are our own advice. Rules can change, so always confirm on the official website.