How to study for the citizenship civics and English test

This page helps you get ready for the English and civics parts of the citizenship interview. It is general information, not legal advice. For the rest of the interview, see What happens at the citizenship interview and oath ceremony.

What is on the test?

There are two parts, both at your interview with a USCIS officer.

1. English

• Speaking. There is no separate speaking test. The officer judges your English from how you answer questions about your N-400 application. You may ask the officer to repeat or say it another way.
• Reading. You read one of three sentences out loud. Once you read one well, the reading test ends.
• Writing. The officer says a sentence and you write it. You must write one of three sentences so the officer understands it. Small spelling, capital letter and punctuation mistakes are fine if the meaning is clear. Don't use abbreviations.

2. Civics (U.S. history and government). This is an oral test. The officer asks, you answer out loud.

The officer stops as soon as you reach the passing number, or the failing number. Either way you need 60 percent.

Which list should I study?

Most people applying today file on or after October 20, 2025, so they study the 128 questions. Use the official 128 Civics Questions and Answers.

Be careful with study apps, old books and videos. Many still teach the 100 question list. On the USCIS site, the flash cards, audio files and interactive practice test are labeled for the 2008 test. They can still help with English and with questions both lists share, but the 128 question list is your main study tool if you filed after October 20, 2025.

Some answers change. Questions about who holds an office (for example, the President, your senators or your representative) depend on elections and appointments. You must answer with the person serving on the day of your interview. Check the Civics Test Updates page the week before your interview. For your own members of Congress, look up your address on the official House and Senate sites.

What free materials are there?

All of these are free on the USCIS Study for the Test page. Never pay for official questions.

For the 2025 civics test

• 128 Civics Questions and Answers (PDF)
• One Nation, One People: The USCIS 2025 Civics Test Study Guide (PDF, a large file; download on Wi Fi)
• One Nation, One People: The USCIS Civics Test Textbook (PDF)

For English

• Reading Test Vocabulary List and Writing Test Vocabulary List (regular, large print and text only)
• Reading and Writing Vocabulary Flash Cards
• Reading and Writing Vocabulary Copy Sheets and Word Strips, to practice by hand
• Vocabulary for the Naturalization Interview Self Tests 1 and 2, online
• "Understanding Commands" self study flash cards and a practice exercise

For seniors (65/20)

• Special question lists. The questions marked with an asterisk (*) are the 20 you study.

Accessibility. Text only versions work with screen readers and Braille displays. Large print versions are there too.

How should I study?

A little every day beats a lot once a week. Twenty to thirty minutes a day is enough for most people.

Civics

1. Read the 128 questions once, without trying to memorize. Mark the ones you already know.
2. Learn 5 to 10 new questions a day. Say the answers out loud, because the test is oral.
3. Learn the meaning, not only the words. The officer may accept another way of saying a correct answer.
4. Have someone quiz you in random order. Family dinners and car rides work well.
5. Review the hard ones every few days.

Reading

1. Read the vocabulary list out loud every day.
2. Practice short sentences that use those words. Read them to someone who speaks English.
3. Read without long pauses. The officer needs to understand the meaning.

Writing

1. Copy the writing vocabulary words by hand.
2. Have someone read you short sentences, and write them down. Check them together.
3. Write numbers as words or digits; both are fine. Do not abbreviate words.

Speaking

1. Read your own N-400 out loud. The officer will ask about it: your name, address, work, trips, family and the "yes or no" questions.
2. Practice answering in short, honest sentences. If you don't understand, say "Can you repeat that, please?" or "Can you say that another way?"
3. Learn the words used in the N-400 questions, like "claimed," "arrested" and "overdue." The USCIS self tests help.

What if I am older?

Check your age and years as a green card holder on the day you file:

• 50 or older with 20 years, or 55 or older with 15 years: no English test. You still take the civics test, in your language, with an interpreter you bring. The interpreter must be fluent in English and your language.
• 65 or older with 20 years: no English test, and an easier civics test. The officer asks 10 questions from a special list of 20. You need 6 right. You may take it in your language.

The officer also gives "due consideration" to everyone. That means they consider your age, schooling, background and years here when they choose and phrase questions.

What happens if I don't pass?

You get two tries. If you fail any part at your first interview, USCIS schedules a second test 60 to 90 days later. At the second test, you retake only the part you failed. If you passed reading and civics but failed writing, you take only writing.

If you fail the same part again, USCIS denies the application. Missing the second test without a good reason counts as a failure. You can still ask for a hearing within 30 days, where you get one more chance at the failed part. See My citizenship application was denied. What can I do?

Where can I find a class or study partner?

Studying with others helps. Many libraries, churches and nonprofits run free citizenship classes. Ones we confirmed, both in San Mateo County:

• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City: free citizenship classes, and a free citizenship workshop the second Tuesday of each month, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register at (650) 780-7530 (checked October 18, 2026).
• Coastside Hope, Half Moon Bay: free citizenship classes in English and Spanish. 650-726-9071, extension 229 (checked October 18, 2026).

Anywhere in California, ask your local library and adult school too, or find a provider on the state's map of free immigration legal services. Contact any program to confirm dates, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

Helpers: if you lead a church or community study group, you can print the 128 questions and run short weekly quizzes. See Hosting a citizenship document workshop at church.

What mistakes should I avoid?

• Studying the 100 question list when you will take the 2025 test.
• Memorizing names of officials from an old book. Check the updates page.
• Only reading the answers silently. Practice out loud.
• Forgetting the speaking part. Know your own N-400 well.
• Paying for "guaranteed pass" programs or buying a fake disability form. See Warning signs of an immigration scam.

Questions people ask

How long should I study? There is no set time. It depends on your English and your schedule. Start the day you file, and use the 8 week plan below as a guide.

Can I answer in my own words? Yes. USCIS accepts the correct answer or another way of saying it.

Will they ask about my application in English? Yes, unless you qualify for an age exception or a disability exception. That is your speaking test.

I'm nervous. What if I freeze? Take a breath. Ask the officer to repeat the question. You only need 12 of 20 on the 2025 test, not all of them.

Is there a study plan I can print?

Every question you learn is a step closer to your oath day. You've already come so far. Keep going. We believe in you.