The U.S. Citizenship Test: Your Guide to the Civics Questions & Answers

The U.S. Citizenship Test: Your Guide to the Civics Questions & Answers

Meta: Learn about the U.S. citizenship civics test: question categories, answer examples, study tips, and more.

Passing the U.S. citizenship test is a huge step on the journey to becoming a U.S. citizen! A key part of this test is the civics portion, where you'll be asked questions about American government, history, and other important topics. It might sound tough, but with the right preparation, you can ace it no problem.

This guide will walk you through what the civics test is, what kind of questions to expect, how to study, and where to find the official USCIS study materials.

What is the Citizenship Civics Test?

The civics test is usually given as an oral exam during your naturalization interview with a USCIS officer. It's not a written test for most people. The officer will ask you questions, and you'll answer them out loud.

• How many questions? The officer will ask you up to 10 questions from a list of 100 possible civics questions.
• How many to pass? You need to answer at least 6 out of the 10 questions correctly to pass the civics test.

Which Test Version Will You Take? (Important for June 2025 Filers) USCIS provides official study materials for the civics test. As of early-mid 2025, most applicants are taking the 2008 civics test. However, USCIS policies on test versions can sometimes change or have specific cut-off dates if updates occur. 

It is CRUCIAL to check the official USCIS Citizenship Resource Center to confirm which version of the civics test applies to you based on your application filing date.

What Kinds of Questions Are on the Test?

The 100 official civics questions are generally divided into three main categories. Here’s a peek at the types of topics covered, with a few examples from each (based on the commonly used 2008 civics test version).

1. American Government This section covers how the U.S. government is set up and how it works.

• Principles of American Democracy
  
  • Example Question: What is the supreme law of the land?
    
    • Answer: The Constitution
  • Example Question: What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
    
    • Answer: The Bill of Rights
  • Example Question: The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
    
    • Answer: We the People
• System of Government
  
  • Example Question: Name one branch or part of the government.
    
    • Answer: Congress (or Legislative / President / Executive / The Courts / Judicial)
  • Example Question: Who makes federal laws?
    
    • Answer: Congress (or Senate and House of Representatives / U.S. or National Legislature)
  • Example Question: How many U.S. Senators are there?
    
    • Answer: One hundred (100)
• Rights and Responsibilities
  
  • Example Question: What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
    
    • Answer: Serve on a jury (or Vote in a federal election)
  • Example Question: Name one right only for United States citizens.
    
    • Answer: Vote in a federal election (or Run for federal office)
  • Example Question: What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
    
    1. Answer: The United States (or The flag)

2. American History This section covers important periods and events in U.S. history.

• Colonial Period and Independence
  
  • Example Question: What is one reason colonists came to America?
    
    • Answer: Freedom (or Political liberty / Religious freedom / Economic opportunity / Practice their religion / Escape persecution)
  • Example Question: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
    
    • Answer: (Thomas) Jefferson
  • Example Question: When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
    
    • Answer: July 4, 1776
• The 1800s
  
  • Example Question: Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
    
    • Answer: War of 1812 (or Mexican-American War / Civil War / Spanish-American War)
  • Example Question: Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
    
    • Answer: The Civil War (or The War between the States)
  • Example Question: What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
    
    • Answer: Freed the slaves (or Freed slaves in the Confederacy / Freed slaves in the Confederate states / Freed slaves in most Southern states)
• Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  
  • Example Question: Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
    
    • Answer: World War I (or World War II / Korean War / Vietnam War / Persian Gulf War)
  • Example Question: Who was President during World War I?
    
    • Answer: (Woodrow) Wilson
  • Example Question: What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
    
    • Answer: Terrorists attacked the United States.

3. Integrated Civics This section covers geography, symbols, and holidays.

• Geography
  
  • Example Question: Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
    
    • Answer: Missouri (River) (or Mississippi (River))
  • Example Question: What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
    
    • Answer: Pacific (Ocean)
  • Example Question: Name one U.S. territory.
    
    • Answer: Puerto Rico (or U.S. Virgin Islands / American Samoa / Northern Mariana Islands / Guam)
• Symbols
  
  • Example Question: Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
    
    • Answer: Because there were 13 original colonies (or Because the stripes represent the original colonies)
  • Example Question: What is the name of the national anthem?
    
    • Answer: The Star-Spangled Banner
• Holidays
  
  • Example Question: When do we celebrate Independence Day?
    
    • Answer: July 4
  • Example Question: Name two national U.S. holidays.
    
    • Answer: New Year’s Day / Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / Presidents’ Day / Memorial Day / Juneteenth / Independence Day / Labor Day / Columbus Day / Veterans Day / Thanksgiving / Christmas

Where to Find ALL the Official Questions and Answers

While the examples above give you an idea of what you may expect, you'll need to study all 100 official questions and answers for the test version you'll be taking.

• The best place to get these is directly from USCIS. They provide the full list of questions, answers, and study materials for free.
• Go to the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center. Look for "Study Materials for the Civics Test."

Always use the official USCIS materials to make sure you're studying the correct and most up-to-date information!

Tips for Studying and Passing the Civics Test

• Start Early: Don't wait until the last minute to start studying.
• Use Official USCIS Materials: These are your go-to source. They often have flashcards, audio, and other helpful tools.
• Break It Down: Study a few questions each day or week rather than trying to cram them all at once.
• Understand, Don't Just Memorize: While you need to know the answers, understanding the concepts behind them can make them easier to remember.
• Practice Out Loud: Since it's an oral test, practice saying the answers out loud. Ask a friend or family member to quiz you.
• Focus on Key Facts: For questions with multiple correct answers, you usually only need to give one (unless the question specifically asks for more).
• Know Answers That Can Change: Some answers, like "Who is the current President?" or "What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?" can change with elections. USCIS will have the most current acceptable answers for these.

Special Considerations for Some Applicants (The 65/20 Rule)

There are some special considerations for older applicants who have been long-term permanent residents:

• The "65/20" Exemption: If you are age 65 or older AND have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, you have a few advantages:
  
  • You only need to study from a smaller list of 20 specific civics questions (instead of all 100).
  • You can take the civics test in the language of your choice (you'll need to bring an interpreter).
• The "50/20" English Exemption: (This applies to the English test, not a different civics test version, but good to know) If you are age 50 or older AND have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, you may take the civics test in the language of your choice. You still study all 100 questions for the standard civics test version unless you also qualify for the 65/20 civics consideration.

Always check the USCIS website section on Exceptions & Accommodations for details.

Passing the civics test is a proud moment for new citizens. By using the official study materials and preparing well, you'll be ready to show your knowledge of U.S. history and government!

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