2025 edition
US Citizenship Test study guide
A practical preparation plan for the US Citizenship Test, based on publicly available official study material.
Exam questions
20
Passing score
60%
Time limit
None
Practice questions
119
Test overview
The US naturalisation process includes an English test and a civics test. The civics test checks your knowledge of American government, history, rights and responsibilities, and national symbols and holidays.
Under the 2025 version of the test, a USCIS officer asks you up to 20 questions drawn from a published list of 128, and you must answer at least 12 correctly (60%). Because the questions are published in advance, focused practice is extremely effective.
Applicants who filed their application before the 2025 version took effect generally study the older 2008 list of 100 questions (6 of 10 correct to pass). This guide reflects the 2025 format as published by USCIS; always verify which version applies to you on the official USCIS Citizenship Resource Center.
How the test works
- During your naturalisation interview, a USCIS officer asks you up to 20 civics questions in English (2025 version).
- You must answer at least 12 of them correctly to pass the civics portion.
- Answers are given orally, but officers accept paraphrased answers that match the official study material.
- A few official questions ask about your own state’s officials or the current President, Vice President, Speaker and Chief Justice - check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates shortly before your interview.
- If you are 65 or older and have lived in the US as a lawful permanent resident for 20+ years, you may study a marked subset of 20 questions and take the test in your language (the 65/20 consideration).
What to study
The exam draws on the topics below. Practise each one separately, then combine them in a full test.
Government
The branches of the US federal government, how laws are made and the system of checks and balances.
48 practice questions available
History
Key events and figures from colonial times, independence, the Civil War and modern America.
48 practice questions available
Rights & Responsibilities
The rights protected by the Constitution and the responsibilities of US citizens.
4 practice questions available
Geography
States, capitals, rivers, oceans and other geographic facts tested on the civics exam.
2 practice questions available
Symbols & Holidays
National symbols such as the flag and anthem, plus important national holidays.
8 practice questions available
Civics & Values
Core civic principles like the rule of law, citizenship duties and the American economic system.
9 practice questions available
Study strategy
- Study the official 100 questions first, then use practice tests here to check yourself under pressure.
- Group questions by topic. Mastering government and history separately is easier than memorising 100 random facts.
- Practise saying answers out loud, since the real test is spoken rather than written.
- Use flashcards for dates, numbers and names, which are the most commonly missed items.
- Take at least three full mock exams before your interview and review every question you miss.
- Re-read the official USCIS study booklet alongside practice so explanations stay anchored to the source.
Start practicing
Put the plan into action with free practice and mock tests.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the US citizenship civics test?
For the 2025 version of the test, a USCIS officer asks up to 20 questions from the published list of 128 civics questions during your interview. Applicants who filed earlier may take the older 2008 version (up to 10 of 100 questions). Always confirm which version applies to you on the official USCIS website.
What is the passing score for the US citizenship test?
For the 2025 version you must answer at least 12 of the up-to-20 asked questions correctly, which is a 60% pass mark. The older 2008 version required 6 of 10. Verify current requirements with USCIS before your interview.
What is the 128-question civics test?
The 2025 version of the civics test draws from an official USCIS list of 128 questions and answers. At your interview you are asked up to 20 of them and must answer at least 12 correctly. You can browse the complete list with answers and free practice on our 128 civics questions and answers page.
Is the US citizenship test multiple choice?
No. The real civics test is an oral test: the officer asks the questions and you answer aloud. Practising with written multiple-choice questions is still one of the most effective ways to learn the material.
What topics does the US citizenship test cover?
The official list of 128 civics questions (2025 version) covers American government, American history, rights and responsibilities, and national symbols and holidays.
Where can I find the official study material?
The official study materials, including the full list of 100 civics questions, are published by USCIS on the Citizenship Resource Center website. We link to it from every page so you can verify anything you read here.