Starting in October 2025, U.S. citizenship applicants will encounter more questions and stricter passing requirements.
Beginning October 20, 2025, the U.S. Naturalization Civics Test will undergo significant changes aimed at making the process more rigorous and comprehensive. Applicants will now face up to 20 questions drawn from an expanded pool of 128 questions, compared to the previous format of 10 questions from a 100-question pool. To pass, they must answer 12 questions correctly, and will automatically fail after 9 incorrect answers.
Unlike the 2020 version that required all 20 questions to be asked regardless of performance, officers may now stop administering the test once the applicant has either passed or failed. Special accommodations remain for applicants aged 65 or older with at least 20 years of permanent residency; they will continue to take a simplified 10-question version requiring 6 correct answers.
In addition to these test modifications, USCIS is increasingly scrutinizing other parts of the naturalization process. This includes more rigorous review of disability exception requests, tighter assessments of “good moral character,” and the resumption of neighborhood checks to verify personal history and documentation.
• Test Date Effective: October 20, 2025
• Questions Asked: 20 (up from 10)
• Question Pool: 128 (up from 100)
• Passing Score: 12 correct answers (previously 6)
• Automatic Failure: After 9 incorrect answers
• Officer Flexibility: Test can stop once pass/fail is determined
• Eligibility: Age 65+ with 20+ years of permanent residence
• Test Format: 10 questions
• Passing Requirement: 6 correct answers (unchanged)
• Stricter review of disability waiver requests
• Tighter evaluation of "good moral character"
• Neighborhood checks reinstated for verification
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Table of Contents
Have you ever wondered what's on the U.S. citizenship test questions? Probably, you have a pretty good idea of what the requirements are. But do you know what's actually on the test?
The U.S. Citizenship Test has ten questions from 100 possible questions. During your naturalization interview, an immigration officer will ask those ten questions. And you will pass the test if you answer at least 60% of the questions correctly.
| Questions | Answers |
| 1. What is the supreme law of the land? | The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Take note that it starts with "We the people" because it is a document people created for the people. |
| 2. What does the Constitution do? | The Constitution establishes the principles that govern the government and limits what it can do. Any law or action that violates the Constitution is invalid. Also, it makes the government protect the basic rights of its citizens. |
| 3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? | The first three words are "We the People." This phrase indicates that the Constitution is a document that belongs to the people.
Plus, it establishes democracy and outlines how citizens can come together to form a government. And it lays out fundamental rights that all citizens should have. |
| 4. What is an amendment? | An amendment is a change or an addition to the Constitution. The Constitution is amendable in one of two ways:
|
| 5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution? | The first ten amendments to the Constitution are the "Bill of Rights." Ratified on December 15, 1791, these amendments protect citizens' rights in several ways. |
| 6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? | The First Amendment protects United States citizens' rights to:
• Freedom of expression |
| 7. How many amendments does the Constitution have? | The Constitution has 27 amendments. |
| 8. What did the Declaration of Independence do? | The Declaration of Independence did a few things:
• Declared the 13 colonies in North America were independent nations and no longer under British rule. |
| 9. What are the two rights in the Declaration of Independence? | The Declaration of Independence lists "certain unalienable rights." These rights include the ability to pursue happiness, liberty, and life. |
| 10. What is freedom of religion? | Religion is a personal choice. You are free to practice any religion you choose or none at all. Plus, the Constitution protects your right to express those beliefs freely. |
| 11. What is the economic system in the United States? | The United States has a capitalist economy and a market economy. A capitalist economy is a kind of economic system where the means of production are privately owned and run for profit. Meanwhile, a market economy allows the trading of goods and services through voluntary transactions. |
| 12. What is the "rule of law"? | The "rule of law" holds that everyone must follow the law. Likewise, even people in positions of power, such as government officials, must follow the same laws as everyone else. |
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| Questions | Answers |
| 13. Name one branch or part of the government. | There are many different branches or parts of the government. Here is a list:
• Congress |
| 14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? | The separation of powers and the system of checks and balances provide the answer to this question. These two aspects of the Constitution prohibit any one arm of government from gaining an excessive amount of authority. |
| 15. Who is in charge of the executive branch? | In the United States, the President controls the executive branch. |
| 16. Who makes federal laws? | Congress makes federal government laws in the United States. |
| 17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? | The Congress is a bicameral legislature, which means it has two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. |
| 18. How many U.S. Senators are there? | The Senate has 100 members, each representing a state equally. |
| 19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? | U.S. senators have six-year terms. |
| 20. Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now? | Every state has two senators, and they all serve six-year terms. So, it depends on who your state elected. But you can visit www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact to know each state's current U.S. Senators. |
| 21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members? | There are 435 delegates in the House of Representatives. They are all elected directly from their corresponding congressional districts. |
| 22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? | U.S. representatives have a two-year term. |
| 23. Name your U.S. Representative. | Visit https://www.house.gov/representatives to learn who your delegate is. |
| 24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent? | A U.S. Senator represents its people. |
| 25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? | The number of Representatives relies on a state's population. And so, the number of Representatives increases as a state grows. |
| 26. We elect a President for how many years? | The President has a four-year term, as laid out in the U.S. Constitution. |
| 27. In what month do we vote for President? | The presidential election date varies from state to state. But Americans usually vote in November. |
| 28. What is the name of the President of the United States now? | Go to uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates to get the name of the current President. |
| 29. What is the name of the United States Vice President now? | Go to uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates to get the name of the current Vice President. |
| 30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? | In vacuity in the office of the President, the Vice President takes over as acting President. |
| 31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? | As per the line of succession, the Presidency goes to the House Speaker. |
| 32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? | The elected President of the country is Commander-in-Chief. Likewise, the one who is accountable for what the military accomplishes. |
| 33. Who signs bills to become laws? | Once Congress passes a bill, the U.S. President has ten days to sign it, and then it becomes law. |
| 34. Who vetoes bills? | A "pocket veto" occurs when the President refuses to take action, and the bill does not become law. |
| 35. What does the President's Cabinet do? | The President's cabinet advises the President on issues in which they have expertise. |
| 36. What are two Cabinet-level positions? | Below are the Cabinet-level positions:
• The Vice President |
| 37. What does the judicial branch do? | The judicial branch reviews laws to ensure they're constitutional. Also, they resolve disputes between people or businesses. |
| 38. What is the highest court in the United States? | The U.S. Supreme Court is the top court in the nation. |
| 39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court? | Have nine judges appointed by President and confirmed by the Senate. Yet, be aware if there is a vacancy by visiting uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates. |
| 40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? | Check the appointed Chief Justice's name at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates. |
| 41. What is one power of the federal government? | The federal government has a few key powers, including the following:
• Power to print money |
| 42. What is one power of the states? | States have a few primary powers, including the ability to:
• Deliver schooling and education |
| 43. Who is the Governor of your state now? | Per state in the United States has its own Governor. Yet, the District of Columbia has no Governor. For more information, please see https://www.usa.gov/state-governor. |
| 44. What is the capital of your state? | Be aware that the District of Columbia (DC) does not have capital. But if you're not living there, look at the state's capital or the territory you're living in: https://www.usa.gov/state-governor. |
| 45. What are the two major political parties in the United States? | The two major political parties are the following:
1. Democratic Party (left side of the political spectrum) |
| 46. What is the political party of the President now? | The President is currently a member of the Democratic Party list. |
| 47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? | The selected Speaker of the House of Representatives at the moment is Nancy Pelosi. |
Get all the immigration-related information here.
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| Questions | Answers |
| 48. Describe one of four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. | Some descriptions for those who can vote are the following:
• Citizens must be eighteen (18) years of age and older |
| 49. What is one responsibility that is only for persons born in the United States? | There are a few responsibilities for U.S. citizens, such as:
• Serving on a jury in a federal trial |
| 50. Name one right only for United States citizens. | You have the rights to the following:
• The right to vote in federal elections |
| 51. What are the two rights of everyone living in the United States? | The rights of everyone living in the United States include the following:
• The freedom of expression |
| 52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? | When pledging allegiance to the flag, we are pledging loyalty to the United States of America. |
| 53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? | When you become a U.S. citizen, you solemnly pledge to:
• Renounce your loyalty to any other country |
| 54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? | Citizens must be at least eighteen (18) years old to vote for President. |
| 55. What are two ways that Americans take part in their democracy? | You can participate in democracy by:
• Voting |
| 56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms? | The official deadline to file federal income taxes is April 15th. |
| 57. When must all men register for the Selective Service? | All men must register at or between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26) years old. |
An immigration lawyer can play a crucial role in preparing an applicant for the citizenship test portion of the naturalization process. During your USCIS naturalization interview, you'll be tested on your English skills (reading, writing, and speaking) and your knowledge of U.S. history and government—unless you qualify for an exemption.
A good lawyer can help you in several ways:
• They can determine which version of the civics test you’ll need to take (e.g., the 2008 or 2025 version).
• They can create a study plan based on the right set of questions.
• They can hold practice interviews with you.
• They’ll teach you how to clearly answer questions during the real test.
If your application contains any issues—like past immigration problems or inconsistencies that could raise concerns—the lawyer will point them out and help you prepare to answer questions about them honestly and clearly.
If you need help, an immigration lawyer from Hacking Immigration Law, LLC can assist with test prep, interview practice, and expert advice to help you feel more confident and ready for your citizenship interview.
Taking the U.S. citizenship test is a big step toward becoming a U.S. citizen. When you’re already a resident or a citizen, you’ll get the same equal protection as those living in the U.S. all their lives and vote for those in the federal election run lineup. Hopefully, this blog has given you a better grasp of what's involved in taking the test.
Reach out to any of our St. Louis immigration lawyers for your legal concerns today!
