Preparing Your Clients for the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test
Background
Becoming a U.S. citizen is often considered the highest and most meaningful benefit a noncitizen can achieve. To reach this step, applicants must first complete a lengthy process to obtain lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. Once eligible, they can apply for U.S. citizenship through a process known as naturalization. Individuals seeking U.S. citizenship status must accept all associated responsibilities and, in turn, gain the rights and privileges afforded to U.S. citizens. These responsibilities include serving on federal juries and most state juries, supporting and defending the United States and its Constitution, pledging loyalty to the United States while renouncing allegiance to any other country, and fulfilling military or civilian service as required by the government. In return, they gain the right to vote, the ability to hold public office, access to federal benefits, a greater sense of security from deportation, fewer restrictions when traveling, amongst other benefits.
The law requires that those willing to carry these rights and responsibilities demonstrate “English proficiency, knowledge of the fundamentals of American history, and U.S. government and civics.” Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1423, outlines these requirements. INA § 312(a)(1) states that an applicant must demonstrate an understanding of the English language including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language. It acknowledges that “...no extraordinary or unreasonable condition shall be imposed upon the applicant...” so long as the applicant demonstrates that he/she can read or write simple words and phrases in the English language. INA § 312(a)(2) requires that applicants demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history of the U.S. government. Below, we highlight the exceptions to these requirements.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), administers the naturalization process and assesses applicants’ knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government through the civics test. USCIS officers have the authority to conduct the naturalization examinations after the applicants file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. During the examination, the applicants are placed under oath and are asked a series of questions regarding their application, eligibility and are administered for the civics test. USCIS also retains authority to develop and revise the civics test as needed through policy guidance and test updates. Over the years, USCIS has consistently reviewed the test. While it has remained largely aligned with the 2008 version, periodic changes have been introduced through updates to study materials and test procedures.
2008 Naturalization Civics Test v. 2025 Naturalization Civics Test
During the first Trump administration, the 2008 version of the civics test was revised and implemented as the 2020 naturalization test. This version was briefly administered from Dec. 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021, before being replaced by the 2008 version again under the Biden administration. Now, under Trump’s second term, USCIS has introduced a modified version of the 2020 test, titled the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.
The 2025 version includes new and reworded questions designed to assess applicants’ comprehension rather than memorization. In its update, USCIS claims that the changes aim to enhance and fulfill the statutory requirement that applicants demonstrate knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and principles. Accordingly, USCIS also states that the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test does not change the language component, but more clearly defines the qualifications applicants must meet.
However, the new test expands the pool of potential questions, increases difficulty in phrasing, and raises the passing threshold. This may present additional challenges for some applicants, especially those with limited English proficiency.
Under the 2025 version, applicants are required to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, an increase from the previous requirement of 6 out of 10 questions. These questions are drawn from a bank of 128 possible questions, an increase of 100 and include both questions from the 2008 test questions and newly added questions with varying levels of difficulty. The 2025 Naturalization Civics Test will be administered to those who file form N-400 on or after Oct. 20, 2025. The major changes in the test are noted below:
| 2008 Version | 2025 Version |
|---|---|
| Bank of 100 questions | Bank of 128 questions |
| 10 questions asked | 20 questions asked |
| Must answer 6 of 10 questions correctly | Must answer 12 of 20 questions correctly |
| Questions formatted in the “what” context | Questions formatted in the “why” or “how” context |
Notably, the 2025 test rewords some questions differently from the 2008 version. Instead of asking “what” or “when,” several questions are now framed to ask “why” or “how,” shifting the focus toward deeper understanding and reasoning. Examples:
| 2008 Version | 2025 Version |
|---|---|
| 56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?* | 71. Why is it important to pay federal taxes? |
| 81. Who did the United States fight in World War II? | 106. Why did the United States enter World War II? |
Other questions invert the structure of prior questions, requiring more analytical or open-ended responses. These questions may require more conceptual knowledge – and therefore more language – as opposed to rote memory. Examples:
| 2008 | 2025 |
|---|---|
| 3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? | 4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean? |
| 4. What is an amendment? | 5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution? |
For questions that require more than one answer, the target number of correct answers on the 2025 test may be increased. Examples:
| 2008 | 2025 |
|---|---|
| 13. Name one branch or part of the government | 16. Name the three branches of government. |
| 51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? | 65. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? |
| 64. There were 13 original states. Name three. | 81. There were 13 original states. Name five. |
| 100. Name two national U.S. holidays. | 126. Name three national U.S. holidays |
It may be worth noting that some of the changes in the 2025 version may align with policy framing choices by the current administration. The announcement of the 2025 test indicated slight modifications between 2020 and 2025.
Those changes are limited to adding Juneteenth in the list of federal holidays, and amending two new questions about the 14th Amendment to qualify the idea of birthright citizenship; they are otherwise the same. In comparison, there are no 14th Amendment/birthright citizenship questions in the 2008 version of the test.
| 2008 | 2025 |
|---|---|
68. How can people become United States citizens?
|
68. How can people become United States citizens?
|
97. What amendment gives citizenship to all persons born in the United States?
|
97. What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?
|
A minor structural change between the 2008 and 2025 versions of the civics test appears to reframe how the test describes “democracy” as a defining U.S. characteristic. Under the “American Government” section of the test, a 2008 subheading is retitled from “Principles of American Democracy” to “Principles of American Government” in both the 2020 and 2025 versions.
The 2025 version also introduces two new questions that were not on the 2008 test, and which could be read to similarly decenter or qualify democratic ideals. Examples, both from the 2025 test:
1. What is the form of government of the United States?
- Republic
- Constitution-based federal republic
- Representative democracy
49. Why is the Electoral College important?
- It decides who is elected president.
- It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
These questions and possible correct answers are factually accurate, the U.S. is not a pure direct democracy; it is both a democracy and a republic. However, they indicate a subtle shift that is worthy of note, and assume a not-uncontroversial understanding of the importance of the electoral college.
The only other structural change is to replace the 2008 heading “Integrated Civics” with “Symbols and Holidays” in 2025, omitting a subsection on geography. The new version of the test emphasizes founding documents and historical symbols, reflecting a shift toward constitutional origins and traditional civic knowledge rather than contemporary rights principles.
Age- and Residency-Based "Special Consideration” Test and English Language Exceptions
As INA § 312(a)(2) imposes the naturalization civics test requirement, INA § 312(b)(3) establishes a “special consideration” process for applicants who, at the time of filing Form N-400, are (1) over sixty-five years of age and (2) have resided in the U.S. for periods totaling at least twenty years after LPR admission. This special consideration is commonly referred to as the 65/20 exemption, although it does not fully exempt qualifying applicants from having to demonstrate civics knowledge. Rather, it provides that these applicants can take a shorter, simplified version of the civics test, in the language of their choice.
Applicants who meet the requirements for the 65/20 exemption only need to study the 20 civics questions marked with an asterisk (*) in the general question bank. Of these 20 questions, the applicant will be asked up to 10, and will need to correctly answer 6 to pass the test. Like all applicants, they will have to use the test version that applies based on when they filed their N-400 application.
The 20 questions designated for 65/20 “special consideration” testing on the 2025 exam are mostly different from the 2020 version. Only two questions remain intact from the 2008 simplified version, and one of those has slightly modified answers. Changes to the 20 questions are generally representative of the overall shifts noted above. Some questions are inverted to call for more open-ended answers, require more abstraction, require more correct responses to a single question, or assume background knowledge. Still, the smaller pool of possible questions and lower threshold for passage may significantly benefit qualifying applicants.
Applicants who qualify for this exception are allowed to take the simplified civics exam and complete their interviews in the language of their choice, using an interpreter. This is because their age and tenure as LPRs make them eligible for the separate English language exceptions, provided in INA § 312(b)(2). These exceptions apply to applicants who, at the time of filing an N-400, are (1) over fifty years of age and have resided in the U.S. for periods totaling at least twenty years after LPR admission (50/20 exception), or (2) are over fifty-five years of age and have resided in the U.S. for periods totaling at least fifteen years after LPR admission (55/15 exception). All applicants who meet the 65/20 exception to receive special consideration for the civics test also qualify for one of the language exceptions. Under current USCIS policy, applicants who elect to use an interpreter during the interview must bring their own qualified interpreter, as USCIS does not provide one.
N-648 Waiver for Applicants With Disabilities
In addition to the age- and residency-based exceptions outlined above, INA § 312(b)(1) provides that the English language, history, principles and form of government requirements shall not apply to applicants who cannot comply “because of physical or developmental disability or mental impairment.” USCIS uses Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions as the form by which an applicant may request an exemption from these requirements.
Some applicants may struggle to learn the 2025 version due to the increased length and complexity of the test. The N-648 is available only to applicants with a diagnosed physical or developmental disability or mental impairment, certified by a licensed medical or mental-health professional, that prevents them from learning or demonstrating the required knowledge or skills. Those who are unable to pass the civics test after diligent attempts to learn the material may wish to seek evaluation to determine eligibility for the exemption. Borderline cases may require specific explanation from the certifying professional about how the individual’s condition specifically prevents compliance with the English and/or civics testing requirements of the 2025 version.
Prepare Your Clients
USCIS publishes study materials for all active versions of the naturalization civics test on its website.
- Applicants who filed their N-400 applications before Oct. 20, 2025, should study the 2008 version of the civics test, using the 100 questions and study guide.
- Applicants who file their N-400 applications on or after Oct. 20, 2025, should study the 2025 version of the civics test, using the 128 questions and study guide.
- Applicants who qualify for the 65/20 exception should study only the questions marked with an asterisk (*) in the relevant version of the test.
- Many local libraries and nonprofit organizations offer naturalization test preparation classes at low or no cost. Practitioners should familiarize themselves with any local resources (including those that offer remote instructions) and routinely refer naturalization clients.
Tips for practitioners:
- As always, advise applicants of risks and benefits of applying for naturalization, factoring in test preparedness in weighing potential benefit against any risks.
- Practitioners should be familiar with USCIS policies on exceptions and exemptions to naturalization language and testing requirements, and screen clients for eligibility.
- Applicants who are eligible to use interpreters for their naturalization interviews should arrange their own interpreter for support. USCIS will not schedule or provide interpreters.
- Provide applicants with sufficient time to study the 128 questions, particularly those who may have limited knowledge U.S. history and lower English proficiency.
- Be mindful that processing times may vary by field office, so the best timing for filing Form N-400 may differ depending on each individual case.
- When possible, conduct mock interviews to help applicants become more comfortable and prepared for the naturalization interview and examination.
- Keep in mind that some civics test answers will change over time due to elections or appointments. Updated answers, or links to jurisdictionally specific updates, are available on the USCIS "Check for Test Updates” site.
- Both active versions of the civics test contain the acknowledgement that “[a]lthough USCIS is aware that there may be additional correct answers... applicants are encouraged to respond to the questions using the answers provided.” Given that the 2025 version of the test frames the questions in a more open-ended way, applicants may be more likely to give correct but non-conforming answers. Practitioners representing clients in interviews should listen for this, and be prepared to assist an adjudicating officer in recognizing correct answers.
