Study guide & FAQ
Key numbers, facts, and answers to common questions about the civics test.
Critical numbers to memorize
128
Total questions (2025 pool)
20
Questions asked (2025)
12
Correct to pass (2025)
9
Wrong = fail (2025)
100
U.S. Senators
435
House Representatives
27
Constitutional amendments
9
Supreme Court justices
6 yrs
Senator term
2 yrs
House term
4 yrs
President term
2
Max presidential terms
50
States
13
Original colonies
5
Justices to decide a case
Life
Supreme Court tenure
Three branches of government
Legislative
Congress = Senate (100, 6-year) + House (435, 2-year). Writes laws.
Executive
President + Cabinet. 4-year term, max 2 terms. Signs/vetoes laws, commands military.
Judicial
Supreme Court (9 justices, life) + federal courts. Reviews laws for constitutionality.
Key amendments
- 1stSpeech, religion, press, assembly, petition
- 2ndRight to bear arms
- 13thAbolished slavery (1865)
- 14thCitizenship for all born or naturalized in the U.S.
- 15thVote cannot be denied based on race (1870)
- 19thWomen’s right to vote (1920)
- 22ndPresident limited to 2 terms
- 24thNo poll tax to vote
- 26thVoting age lowered to 18
How to study
- Say answers out loud — this is an oral interview.
- Practice 15–20 minutes daily for 4–6 weeks.
- Use Smart review for weak questions, then simulate until you pass 3 times in a row.
- Verify changing answers at USCIS before your interview.
Frequently asked questions
Which test version do I take?+
If you filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 test (100 questions). On or after that date, you take the 2025 test (128 questions).
How does the interview scoring work?+
2025: up to 20 questions, need 12 correct; officer stops at 12 correct or 9 wrong. 2008: up to 10 questions, need 6 correct (stops at 6 correct or 5 wrong).
What is the 65/20 special consideration?+
If you are 65+ and a permanent resident for 20+ years, you study only 20 starred questions. The officer asks 10; you need 6 correct. You may take the civics test in your language of choice.
Can I take the civics test in my language?+
Normally the civics test is in English. Exceptions: 65/20 (language of choice), and English exemptions 50/20 or 55/15 for the English portion with an interpreter for civics.
Do some answers change?+
Yes — president, vice president, speaker, chief justice, your senators, representative, governor, and state capital. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates and use our ZIP lookup.