How many civics questions are asked?
Answer
Usually up to ten
Explanation
USCIS asks up to ten civics questions during the naturalization interview. Under the standard 2008 civics test currently in use for most applicants, the officer selects ten questions from a study guide of 100 possible questions. The applicant must answer at least six of the ten questions correctly to pass; once the applicant gives six correct answers, the officer stops asking questions and marks the civics portion as passed.
The 100-question study guide is published by USCIS at uscis.gov/citizenship and covers three subject areas: principles of American democracy (the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the principles of self-government), the system of government (the three branches, federal and state powers, political parties, voting, and elected officials), and rights and responsibilities of citizens (the duties of citizenship, the role of voting). The questions are administered orally; the officer asks each question, and the applicant answers verbally. Reading the answers from notes is not permitted, although applicants may ask the officer to repeat or rephrase a question.
For applicants who qualify for the 65/20 exception (age 65 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident), USCIS uses a simplified civics test with a designated subset of 20 questions (marked with an asterisk in the study materials) and the applicant must answer six of the 20 questions correctly. USCIS announced a redesigned 128-question civics test in late 2020 that was implemented briefly, then suspended, and is currently being reintroduced gradually; the 2025 redesigned test increases the question pool to 128 and slightly changes the format, but the threshold of six correct answers out of ten administered remains.
Some answers (those identifying current officeholders such as the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, and the applicant's state's governor and U.S. senators) are subject to change; USCIS updates the answer key as offices change hands. Applicants who fail the civics portion at the first interview are given a second opportunity at a re-examination scheduled within 60 to 90 days, at which they may retake the civics test, the English test, or both.
Why this matters for your test
Knowing the structure of the civics test (10 questions, 6 correct to pass) lets applicants prepare effectively and arrive at the interview with realistic expectations. The 100-question study guide is the single most important preparation resource and is freely available on the USCIS website.
Source: USCIS Application Guide (2025)
