What if you fail the English test?
Answer
You can retake it
Explanation
Applicants who fail any portion of the English test (reading, writing, or speaking and understanding) at the first interview are given one additional opportunity to retake the failed portion under 8 CFR section 312.5(a). USCIS schedules a re-examination interview between 60 and 90 days after the original interview, at the same field office, with no additional fee. At the re-examination, the applicant retakes only the portion or portions that were failed: just the reading test if the applicant failed reading, just the writing test if the applicant failed writing, or all of them if the applicant failed multiple portions.
The applicant should use the 60-to-90-day interval for additional study using the USCIS-published M-679 Reading Test Vocabulary List (about 95 words) and the M-680 Writing Test Vocabulary List (about 100 words), available at uscis.gov/citizenship. Practice should focus on the actual word list and on the simple sentence structures that USCIS uses on the test. Free citizenship classes offered by community organizations, public libraries, and adult education programs typically use the same materials.
Applicants who repeatedly struggle with reading or writing should consider whether they qualify for a language exception (50/20, 55/15, or 65/20) or for a Form N-648 medical disability waiver based on a learning disability or other condition affecting language acquisition. Form N-648 requires certification by a licensed medical professional and can be submitted at any point in the process, including before the re-examination.
If the applicant fails the English portion at the re-examination as well, USCIS denies the application under section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. After denial, the applicant may file Form N-336 (Request for a Hearing) within 30 days, file a new Form N-400 after further study, or in some cases qualify for a Form N-648 disability waiver and re-file.
Most applicants who fail the English portion at the first interview pass on the re-examination after focused practice with the official vocabulary lists. Applicants who feel anxious about the test should practice with a friend, tutor, or community volunteer playing the role of the officer, using the actual sentence structures from the USCIS materials.
Why this matters for your test
The English re-examination policy gives applicants a second chance without additional fees, and most pass on the second try with targeted study. Knowing the official vocabulary lists are the test source helps applicants focus their preparation efficiently rather than studying English broadly.
Source: USCIS Application Guide (2025)
