How many English writing questions?

USCIS administers up to three English writing questions during the naturalization test. The applicant must write at least one of the three sentences correctly to pass the writing test. Sentences are drawn from a USCIS writing test vocabulary list of approximately 100 words, published as the M-680 Writing Test Vocabulary List (available at uscis.gov/citizenship), covering civics topics (citizenship, government, holidays, the President, the Constitution), people in U.S. history (Adams, Lincoln, Washington), and basic action and connecting words.

Example sentences include Citizens can vote, The flag is red, white, and blue, Memorial Day is in May, and Adams was the second President. The officer dictates each sentence aloud, and the applicant writes it on a tablet stylus pad or paper. To pass, the applicant's writing must convey the meaning of the dictated sentence in a manner the officer can understand. USCIS officers are instructed to apply the standard generously: minor spelling errors, capitalization errors, or punctuation errors that do not change the meaning of the sentence do not cause the applicant to fail. Applicants are not required to use cursive handwriting; printed letters are fully acceptable.

The writing test is one of four parts of the English requirement under section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. section 1423): reading, writing, speaking, and understanding. Applicants who qualify for the 50/20 language exception (age 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident) or the 55/15 language exception (age 55 or older with 15 years as a permanent resident) are exempt from both the reading and writing tests, taking only the civics portion in their preferred language with an interpreter. Applicants who file an approved Form N-648 (Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions) are also exempt.

Applicants who fail the writing test at the first interview are scheduled for a re-examination between 60 and 90 days later, at which they retake only the failed portion. There is no additional fee for the re-examination; the original Form N-400 filing fee covers it. The 100-word vocabulary list is the single most important preparation resource for the writing test, and free citizenship classes offered by community organizations and public libraries typically use it for practice.