U.S. Citizenship Test: 2025 Civics Test Guide
Learn the 2025 U.S. civics test format, passing standard, study topics, and official USCIS resources.
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The civics portion of the naturalization test is an oral test for people whose Form N-400 was filed on or after October 20, 2025. Under the current format, an officer may ask up to 20 questions from the official 128-question list, and an applicant needs 12 correct answers to pass. USCIS publishes both the format and the complete study list, so preparation can stay tied to the source rather than to an unofficial question set. USCIS explains the 2025 civics test.
This guide is not affiliated with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is an independent study guide that points readers back to USCIS for the rules that control an individual case.
What the civics test covers
The official list groups 128 questions into American Government, American History, and Symbols and Holidays. The topics range from constitutional principles and the branches of government to the Civil War, national symbols, and holidays. Each listed question has one or more acceptable answers; using the wording and alternatives in the official list helps distinguish an accepted answer from a merely related fact. Read the official 128 questions and acceptable answers.
| Part of the preparation | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Question source | The official 128-question list and its acceptable answers |
| Test format | An oral exchange with an officer |
| Standard route | Up to 20 questions; 12 correct answers are needed to pass |
| Changing answers | The official USCIS updates page before the interview |
Some civics answers can change after an election or appointment. The official list directs applicants to check the USCIS test updates page for those answers. A study guide should not freeze the name of a current officeholder in a practice set.
A practical way to organize the list
Beginning with the three official subject areas makes the full list easier to review without treating it as one long sequence. American Government includes principles, the system of government, and rights and responsibilities. American History moves from the colonial period through more recent history. Symbols and Holidays closes the list with national symbols and holiday questions. Review can alternate across those groups while keeping the original question number available for reference.
Speaking an answer aloud is relevant because USCIS describes this civics test as oral. A review session can therefore pair a prompt with a short spoken response, then compare that response with the acceptable-answer list. The purpose is not to add a new scoring rule; it is to keep study practice aligned with the test’s stated format.
Readers looking for a question-by-question view can continue with citizenship test questions, use civics test practice to structure review sessions, and see the topic breakdown in 128 civics questions.
The 65/20 special consideration
USCIS also describes a special consideration for an applicant who is 65 or older and has been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years. The designated study list has 20 asterisked questions. An officer asks 10 of them, six correct answers are needed to pass, and the applicant may take that civics test in a language of choice. The individual eligibility rule and the marked questions are set out in USCIS materials. See USCIS guidance on the 65/20 consideration.
FAQ
Is the citizenship test written or oral?
For the 2025 civics test, USCIS states that the civics portion is oral. The officer asks questions from the official list during the naturalization test. USCIS 2025 civics test guidance.
How many civics questions must be answered correctly?
The regular 2025 format requires 12 correct answers, with the officer asking up to 20 questions. USCIS 2025 civics test guidance.
Where can changing civics answers be checked?
USCIS directs applicants to its test updates page for answers that change with elections or appointments.