U.S. Citizenship Test (2025): Complete Civics & English Guide With 128 Questions and Answers
Applying for naturalization? One key step is the U.S. citizenship test, designed to confirm you understand America’s history, government, and civic principles. Below you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of the English and Civics components—plus the full set of 128 USCIS civics questions and answers and a quick look at commonly tricky items.
If you want personalized guidance on preparing for the exam or your naturalization interview, connect with immigration attorneys at Green Card Link. They can explain your options, evaluate eligibility, and help you get ready with confidence.
Update: As of October 25, 2025, USCIS will begin using the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.
Looking for terminology? Also see our explainer on the difference between citizenship and nationality.
What’s on the U.S. Citizenship Test?
The naturalization test has two parts:
1) English Test
USCIS evaluates your ability to read, write, and speak in English.
- Reading: You must correctly read 1 out of 3 sentences aloud. Typical vocabulary includes names of presidents, places, verbs, and basic civics terms. (USCIS provides a dedicated reading vocabulary list for the naturalization test.)
- Writing: You must correctly write 1 out of 3 sentences. Words often overlap with the reading list noted above. Minor spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes usually won’t cause you to fail—just write legibly.
- Speaking: You will answer the interviewing officer’s questions to demonstrate spoken English.
If you don’t understand a word or question, ask the officer to repeat or clarify—that is allowed.
Want to know what the interview is like from start to finish? Explore our U.S. Citizenship Interview overview. For tailored preparation, you can speak with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link.
2) Civics Test
During the civics portion, the officer may ask up to 20 questions from the official list. You must answer at least 12 correctly to pass. Below we’ve included the full set of 128 potential questions and answers.
Special rule: If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20+ years, only the questions marked with an asterisk (*) apply.
Full USCIS Civics Questions & Answers (128 Items)
Important: USCIS occasionally updates answers that depend on current officeholders (e.g., the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, your state officials). For those items, USCIS instructs applicants to check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for current names.
1. What is the form of government of the United States?
Correct answers:
- Republic
- Constitution-based federal republic
- Representative democracy
2. What is the supreme law of the land?
Correct answer: U.S. Constitution
Additional details: Drafted in 1787, the Constitution structures the federal government (legislative, executive, judicial), limits government power, and includes the Bill of Rights—the first ten amendments that protect fundamental freedoms such as speech, religion, and due process.
3. What does the Constitution do?
- Forms the government
- Defines the powers of government
- Defines the parts of government
- Protects the rights of the people
4. The U.S. Constitution starts with “We the People.” What does that mean?
- Self-government
- Popular sovereignty
- Consent of the governed
- People should govern themselves
- (Example of) social contract
5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
- Amendments
- The amendment process
6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?
- (The basic) rights of Americans
- (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
- Twenty-seven (27)
8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
- It declares independence from British rule
- Affirms that all people are created equal
- Identifies inherent rights and individual freedoms
9. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
- Declaration of Independence
10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
- Equality
- Liberty
- Social contract
- Natural rights
- Limited government
- Self-government
11. The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
- Declaration of Independence
12. What is the economic system of the United States?
- Capitalism
- Free-market economy
13. What is the rule of law?
Everyone must follow the law
Leaders must obey the law
Government must obey the law
No one is above the law
14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Federalist Papers
Anti-Federalist Papers
Virginia Declaration of Rights
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Mayflower Compact
Iroquois Great Law of Peace
15. There are three branches of government. Why?
So one part does not become too powerful
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
16. Name the three branches of government.
Legislative, executive, and judicial
Congress, the President, and the courts
17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Executive branch
18. What part of the federal government writes laws?
(U.S.) Congress
(U.S. or national) legislature
Legislative branch
19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House (of Representatives)
20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
Writes laws
Declares war
Makes the federal budget
21. How many U.S. senators are there?
One hundred (100)
22. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
Six (6) years
23. Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?
Answers will vary. D.C.andU.S.territorieshavenoU.S.senators.D.C. and U.S. territories have no U.S. senators.D.C.andU.S.territorieshavenoU.S.senators.
24. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
25. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two (2) years
26. Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
To more closely follow public opinion
27. How many senators does each state have?
Two (2)
28. Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representation (for small states)
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
29. Name your U.S. representative.
Answers will vary. TerritoriesmaynametheirDelegate/ResidentCommissioner;ornotetherearenovotingrepresentatives.Territories may name their Delegate/Resident Commissioner; or note there are no voting representatives.TerritoriesmaynametheirDelegate/ResidentCommissioner;ornotetherearenovotingrepresentatives.
30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.
31. Who does a U.S. senator represent?
Citizens (people) of their state
32. Who elects U.S. senators?
Citizens from their state
33. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Citizens (people) in their congressional district
34. Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their congressional district
35. Some states have more representatives than others. Why?
Because of the state’s population
They have more people
36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
Four (4) years
38. What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.
39. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.
40. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
- The Vice President
41. Name one power of the President.
Signs bills
Vetoes bills
Enforces laws
Commander in Chief
Chief diplomat
Appoints federal judges
42. Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President
43. Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
44. Who vetoes bills?
The President
45. Who appoints federal judges?
The President
46. The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
President
Cabinet
47. What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President
48. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Attorney General
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Homeland Security
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of State
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Vice President
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator of the Small Business Administration
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Director of National Intelligence
United States Trade Representative Historic“SecretaryofWar”appearsinsomelistsbutisnolongeranactiveCabinetdepartment.Historic “Secretary of War” appears in some lists but is no longer an active Cabinet department.Historic“SecretaryofWar”appearsinsomelistsbutisnolongeranactiveCabinetdepartment.
49. Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who becomes President
It balances direct popular election with congressional involvement
50. What is one part of the judicial branch?
Supreme Court
Federal courts
51. What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews and explains laws
Resolves legal disputes
Determines constitutionality
52. What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
53. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Nine (9)
54. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Five (5)
55. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
For life
Lifetime appointment
Until retirement
56. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To remain independent of politics
To limit outside influence
57. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.
58. Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Print paper money
Mint coins • Declare war
Create an army
Make treaties
Set foreign policy
59. Name one power that is only for the states.
Provide schooling and education
Police protection • Fire safety
Issue driver’s licenses
Approve zoning and land use
60. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people
61. Who is the governor of your state now?
Answers will vary. D.C.hasnogovernor.D.C. has no governor.D.C.hasnogovernor.
62. What is the capital of your state (or territory)?
Answers will vary.
63. There are four amendments about who can vote. Describe one.
- Citizens 18+ can vote
- No poll tax required
- Any citizen can vote (women and men)
- A male citizen of any race can vote
63. There are four amendments about who can vote. Describe one.
U.S. citizens
65. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of assembly
- Freedom to petition the government
- Freedom of religion
- Right to bear arms
66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States
The flag
67. Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
Give up loyalty to other countries
Defend the Constitution
Obey U.S. laws
Serve in the military (if needed)
Serve the nation (if needed)
Be loyal to the United States
68. How can people become United States citizens?
By birth in the U.S. (per the 14th Amendment)
Naturalization
Derivation of citizenship (as provided by Congress)
69. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Vote
Run for office
Join a political party
Volunteer for a campaign
Join a civic/community group
Contact elected officials
Support or oppose policies
Write to a newspaper
70. What is one way Americans can serve their country?
Vote
Pay taxes
Obey the law
Serve in the military
Run for office
Work for government
71. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Required by law
Funds the federal government
Authorized by the 16th Amendment
Civic duty
72. Why must men ages 18–25 register for Selective Service?
Required by law
Civic duty
Makes a potential draft fair
73. The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
Freedom
Political liberty
Religious freedom
Economic opportunity
To escape persecution
74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians
Native Americans
75. What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
Africans
People from Africa
76. What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
American Revolution
Revolutionary War
War for American Independence
77. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
High taxes / taxation without representation
Quartering of soldiers • Lack of self-government
Boston Massacre • Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)
Stamp Act
Sugar Act
Townshend Acts
Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
79. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
80. The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
(Battle of) Bunker Hill
Declaration of Independence
Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)
(Battle of) Saratoga
Valley Forge (Encampment)
(Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender)
81. There were 13 original states. Name five.
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
82. What founding document was written in 1787?
(U.S.) Constitution
83. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one writer.
(James) Madison
(Alexander) Hamilton
(John) Jay
Publius
84. Why were the Federalist Papers important?
They helped people understand and support the Constitution
85. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
Founded the first free public libraries
First Postmaster General
Helped write the Declaration of Independence
Inventor
U.S. diplomat
86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
“Father of Our Country”
First President
General of the Continental Army
President of the Constitutional Convention
87. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
Writer of the Declaration of Independence
Third President
Doubled U.S. territory (Louisiana Purchase)
First Secretary of State
Founded the University of Virginia
Wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
88. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
“Father of the Constitution”
Fourth President
President during the War of 1812
Federalist Papers author
89. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
First Secretary of the Treasury
Federalist Papers author
Helped establish the First Bank of the U.S.
Aide to Washington
Member of the Continental Congress
90. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana Territory
Louisiana
91. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
War of 1812
Mexican-American War
Civil War
Spanish-American War
92. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
The Civil War
93. The Civil War had many important events. Name one.
(Battle of) Fort Sumter
Emancipation Proclamation
(Battle of) Vicksburg
(Battle of) Gettysburg
Sherman’s March
(Surrender at) Appomattox
(Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg
Lincoln’s assassination
94. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
Preserved the Union
Led during the Civil War
16th President
Delivered the Gettysburg Address
95. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves (especially in the Confederacy and most Southern states)
96. What U.S. war ended slavery?
The Civil War
97. Which amendment says people born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens?
14th Amendment
98. When did all men get the right to vote?
- After the Civil War
- During Reconstruction
- 15th Amendment
- 1870
99. Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.
Susan B. Anthony
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Sojourner Truth
Harriet Tubman
Lucretia Mott
Lucy Stone
100. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
(Persian) Gulf War
101. Why did the U.S. enter World War I?
German attacks on U.S. ships
To support the Allies
To oppose the Central Powers
102. When did women get the right to vote nationwide?
1920
After World War I
19th Amendment
103. What was the Great Depression?
The longest modern economic downturn
104. When did the Great Depression start?
1929
The Great Crash / Stock market crash of 1929
105. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
(Franklin) Roosevelt
106. Why did the U.S. enter World War II?
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
To support the Allies
To oppose the Axis Powers
107. Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.
General in WWII
President during/after Korean War
34th President
Signed the 1956 Federal-Aid Highway Act (Interstate System)
108. Who was the U.S. main rival during the Cold War?
Soviet Union
USSR
Russia
109. During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the U.S.?
Communism
Nuclear war
110. Why did the U.S. enter the Korean War?
To stop the spread of communism
111. Why did the U.S. enter the Vietnam War?
To stop the spread of communism
112. What did the civil rights movement do?
Fought to end racial discrimination
113. Martin Luther King Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
- Fought for civil rights
- Worked for equality
- Advocated judging people by character, not skin color
114. Why did the U.S. enter the Persian Gulf War?
To force Iraqi forces from Kuwait
115. What major event happened on September 11, 2001?
Terrorist attacks on the United States (World Trade Center, Pentagon, and a fourth plane that crashed in Pennsylvania)
To force Iraqi forces from Kuwait
116. Name one U.S. military conflict after September 11, 2001.
- (Global) War on Terror
- War in Afghanistan
- War in Iraq
117. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
Apache
Blackfeet
Cayuga
Cherokee
Cheyenne
Chippewa
Choctaw
Creek
Crow
Hopi
Huron
Inupiat
Lakota
Mohawk
Mohegan
Navajo
Oneida
Onondaga
Pueblo
Seminole
Seneca
Shawnee
Sioux
Teton
Tuscarora
(For a complete list, see bia.gov.)
118. Name one example of an American innovation.
Light bulb
Automobile
Skyscrapers
Airplane
Assembly line
Moon landing
Integrated circuit (IC)
119. What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
120. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York Harbor
Liberty Island
Alsoacceptable:NewJersey;nearNewYorkCity;ontheHudsonRiver.Also acceptable: New Jersey; near New York City; on the Hudson River.Alsoacceptable:NewJersey;nearNewYorkCity;ontheHudsonRiver.
121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
They represent the 13 original colonies
122. Why does the flag have 50 stars?
One star for each state (50 states)
123. What is the name of the national anthem?
“The Star-Spangled Banner”
124. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
- Out of many, one
- We all become one
125. What is Independence Day?
- A holiday celebrating U.S. independence from Britain
- The country’s birthday
126. Name three national U.S. holidays.
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
127. What is Memorial Day?
A holiday honoring soldiers who died in military service
128. What is Veterans Day?
A holiday honoring people who have served in the U.S. military
Study tip: Review all 128 questions ahead of your interview. USCIS also provides a downloadable PDF: “2025 Civics Test — 128 Questions and Answers.” For strategic prep and mock interviews, you can consult immigration attorneys at Green Card Link.
Frequently Asked Questions (Citizenship Test)
How many questions are on the civics test, and how many do I need to get right?
During your interview, you may be asked up to 20 civics questions from the official list. You must answer at least 12 correctly to pass the civics portion. Because the officer pulls from a pool of 128 possible questions, it’s wise to study all 128.
What are some of the hardest civics questions?
Many applicants find the following items challenging (especially those that depend on current officeholders or detailed history):
- Federalist Papers writers (Q83): (James) Madison, (Alexander) Hamilton, (John) Jay, Publius
- How many amendments are in the Constitution? (Q7) — 27
- What was Benjamin Franklin known for? (Q85) — several correct choices
- Who was President during World War I? (Q101 context) — Woodrow Wilson
- What does “rule of law” mean? (Q13)
- How many voting members are in the House? (Q24) — 435
- When was the Constitution written? (Q82) — 1787
- Which powers are federal vs. state? (Q58–59)
- How long is a U.S. Senate term? (Q22) — 6 years
- Current officeholders (President, Vice President, Speaker, Chief Justice) (Q38–39, Q30, Q57) — verify at uscis.gov before your interview.
How are the civics questions selected?
The officer randomly selects from the 128-question pool. The questions are not multiple-choice; you must give the answer aloud.
Any study strategy recommendations?
Break the material into sets of 10 questions and quiz yourself with flashcards. Spend extra time on items you find difficult, but don’t skip the rest. If you want an organized study plan or a mock interview, at Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys can help you prepare and reduce test-day anxiety.
Need One-on-One Naturalization Help?
If you have eligibility questions, prior immigration history, medical disability accommodations, or English-language concerns, an immigration attorney at Green Card Link can review your case, help with Form N-400, and walk you through the interview and test process step by step.