The 2025 civics test has 128 possible questions. At your interview, the officer asks up to 20 of them out loud, in English. You pass when you answer 12 correctly. As soon as you reach 12, the officer stops.
This is the version USCIS uses for N-400 applications filed after October 20, 2025. An older 2008 test had 100 questions and asked 10, with 6 needed to pass. If your filing date puts you on the older test, your numbers are different, so read your appointment notice.
What the 20 questions cover
The 128 questions are grouped into a few areas: principles of American government, the system of government, rights and responsibilities, American history, geography, symbols, and holidays. Your 20 come from across these groups at random. You will not know which 20 you get, so you prepare all 128.
You learn one answer each
Some questions accept several answers. You do not need all of them. Learn one correct answer per question and say it clearly. For “Name one branch of the government,” the officer accepts legislative, executive, or judicial. One is enough.
Eight answers change over time
Eight questions ask about current officials or your state: the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, your governor, your state capital, one of your U.S. senators, and your U.S. representative. Names change, so confirm these before your interview. USCIS lists the current answers at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.
The interview has other parts
Civics is one part. You also read one sentence aloud in English and write one sentence the officer dictates. The reading and writing tests use short official word lists, so the vocabulary is limited and easy to drill. The officer also checks your spoken English through normal questions about your application.
A simple plan
If you have a few weeks, learn about ten new questions a day and review the ones you miss. Once you know most of them, run through 20 random questions and score yourself. Keep going until you clear 12 of 20 without stress.
You can study all 128 questions for free, with the English answer to say and the meaning in your language.
Citizenship Answers is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government. Confirm current details on the official USCIS website.