Updated August 7, 2026
U.S. citizenship test: what to expect and how to prepare
Preparing for a naturalization interview in 2026? The current civics exam is officially named the 2025 civics test. Here is how to confirm your version, understand the score, and build a study plan around the official questions.
Start with the right material
Which USCIS civics test will you take?
The year of your interview is not the deciding factor. USCIS uses the date it receives your Form N-400 to determine which civics test generally applies. The transition date is October 20, 2025.
Filed before October 20, 2025
You generally take the 2008 civics test, which uses a 100-question pool.
Filed on or after October 20, 2025
You generally take the 2025 civics test, which uses a 128-question pool.
Not sure?
Check your filing receipt and use the official USCIS guidance before choosing study materials.
See the differences side by side in our guide to choosing your USCIS civics test.
Know the target
How the current civics test works
For the standard 2025 version, a USCIS officer asks up to 20 questions from the official pool of 128. You pass after answering 12 correctly. The officer stops once you have passed or once a passing score is no longer possible.
The official test is oral, not multiple choice. Practice questions can help you learn the material, but you should also rehearse by listening to a question and answering aloud without visible choices.
Review all 128 questions and answersPractice for spoken recall
A focused study plan for your interview
-
Confirm your version first.
Use your N-400 filing date and current USCIS guidance so you do not memorize the wrong question bank.
-
Learn by topic.
Study government, history, symbols, and holidays in small groups instead of memorizing 128 items in order.
-
Retrieve, then check.
Say an answer before revealing it. Spend extra time on questions you miss and return to them on another day.
-
Practice the real format.
Finish with mixed oral rounds. Your target is at least 12 correct answers out of 20 without notes or choices.
Stay current
Check answers that can change before your interview
Some answers involve current elected or appointed officials. Others depend on the state or territory where you live. Review the current President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, governor, U.S. senators, U.S. representative, and state capital when those questions apply to you.
Use the USCIS test updates page close to your interview rather than relying on an old answer sheet.
Quick answers
Common questions about the current USCIS test
Is there a new U.S. citizenship test for 2026?
USCIS calls the current version the 2025 civics test. Applicants who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 generally take that version, including applicants who file in 2026.
How many questions are on the citizenship test in 2026?
The official 2025 civics test pool contains 128 questions. A USCIS officer asks up to 20 during the oral test.
How many correct answers do I need to pass?
You need 12 correct answers on the standard 2025 civics test. The officer stops once you have passed or failed.
Is the U.S. citizenship civics test multiple choice?
No. The officer asks questions aloud, and you answer aloud. Multiple-choice practice is a useful study tool, not the format of the interview.
Ready to begin?
Turn the question bank into steady progress.
Practice offline on your iPhone, then use spoken recall to prepare for the real interview.
Primary sources: USCIS 2025 civics test information, official 128 questions and answers, and USCIS test updates. Prepare for Civics is not affiliated with or endorsed by USCIS.