PassEveryTest

Citizenship

US Citizenship Test Practice (Civics) 2026

Practice for the civics part of the U.S. naturalization interview with the official 2025 USCIS questions. In the real test an officer asks you up to 20 of the 128 questions out loud, and you pass with 12 correct answers. Each practice set has 20 questions with the official answer and a short explanation.

Read before you practiseStart with the US Citizenship Test Study Guide (2025 Civics): plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 20

    What is the form of government of the United States?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Republic

    The United States is a republic: the people elect leaders to govern for them. The official answers also accept "constitution-based federal republic" and "representative democracy." (Official question 1.)

  2. Question 2 of 20

    What is the supreme law of the land?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The U.S. Constitution

    The Constitution is the highest law in the country. No federal or state law may go against it. (Official question 2.)

  3. Question 3 of 20

    Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Protects the rights of the people

    The Constitution forms the government, defines its parts and powers, and protects the rights of the people. Declaring independence was done by the Declaration of Independence. (Official question 3.)

  4. Question 4 of 20

    The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Self-government

    "We the People" means the power of government comes from the people. Official answers include self-government, popular sovereignty and consent of the governed. (Official question 4.)

  5. Question 5 of 20

    How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Amendments

    The Constitution is changed through amendments. An amendment must go through the amendment process set out in the Constitution. (Official question 5.)

  6. Question 6 of 20

    What does the Bill of Rights protect?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The basic rights of Americans

    The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments. It protects the basic rights of Americans and of people living in the United States. (Official question 6.)

  7. Question 7 of 20

    How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Twenty-seven (27)

    The Constitution has 27 amendments. The first ten are called the Bill of Rights. (Official question 7.)

  8. Question 8 of 20

    Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It says all people are created equal.

    The Declaration says America is free from British control, that all people are created equal, and that people have rights that cannot be taken away. (Official question 8.)

  9. Question 9 of 20

    What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, said the 13 colonies were free from Britain. (Official question 9.)

  10. Question 10 of 20

    Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Equality and liberty

    Key ideas in both documents include equality, liberty, natural rights, limited government, self-government and the social contract. (Official question 10.)

  11. Question 11 of 20

    The words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are in what founding document?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Declaration of Independence

    These famous words are in the Declaration of Independence, written mainly by Thomas Jefferson. (Official question 11.)

  12. Question 12 of 20

    What is the economic system of the United States?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Capitalism

    The United States has a capitalist, or free market, economy. People and private businesses own most property and make most economic choices. (Official question 12.)

  13. Question 13 of 20

    What is the rule of law?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No one is above the law.

    The rule of law means everyone must follow the law, including leaders and the government. (Official question 13.)

  14. Question 14 of 20

    Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Articles of Confederation

    The Articles of Confederation were the first plan of government. Other answers include the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers and the Mayflower Compact. The other choices came after 1787. (Official question 14.)

  15. Question 15 of 20

    There are three branches of government. Why?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. So one part does not become too powerful

    Splitting power into three branches creates separation of powers and checks and balances, so no one part becomes too powerful. (Official question 15.)

  16. Question 16 of 20

    Name the three branches of government.
    123
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Legislative, executive, and judicial

    The three branches are legislative (Congress), executive (the President) and judicial (the courts). Federal, state and local are levels of government, not branches. (Official question 16.)

  17. Question 17 of 20

    The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Executive branch

    The President leads the executive branch, which carries out and enforces the laws. (Official question 17.)

  18. Question 18 of 20

    What part of the federal government writes laws?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. U.S. Congress

    Congress, the legislative branch, writes federal laws. (Official question 18.)

  19. Question 19 of 20

    What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Senate and House (of Representatives)

    Congress has two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. (Official question 19.)

  20. Question 20 of 20

    Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Writes laws

    Congress writes laws, declares war and makes the federal budget. Vetoing bills is a power of the President, and the courts decide if laws follow the Constitution. (Official question 20.)

What to know before the test

  • If you filed your naturalization application (Form N-400) on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test. If you filed before that date, you take the older 2008 test.
  • The 2025 civics test is oral. The officer asks up to 20 of the 128 official questions, and you must answer at least 12 correctly. The officer stops as soon as you get 12 right or 9 wrong.
  • If you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years, you study only the 20 questions marked with an asterisk. The officer asks 10 of them and you need 6 correct.
  • For questions about officials, such as the President or the Speaker of the House, you must give the name of the person serving on the day of your interview.
  • The English test has three parts. The officer judges your speaking during the interview, and you must read one of three sentences and write one of three sentences correctly.
  • If you fail any part of the English or civics test, you get a second chance to take the part you failed within 90 days of your first interview.
  • If you are over 50 and have lived in the U.S. as a permanent resident for 20 years, or over 55 with 15 years, you do not take the English test and may take the civics test in your own language with an interpreter.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the US citizenship test?

For the 2025 civics test, there are 128 official questions. The officer asks you up to 20 of them out loud, and you pass when you answer 12 correctly.

What is on the English part of the citizenship test?

There are three parts: speaking, reading and writing. The officer checks your speaking as you answer interview questions. You must read aloud one of three sentences and write one of three sentences correctly.

What happens if I fail the citizenship test?

You get a second chance. USCIS retests you on the part you failed, English or civics, within 90 days of your first interview.

What is the 65/20 rule?

If you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years, you only study the 20 questions marked with an asterisk. The officer asks 10 of them, you need 6 correct, and you may take the test in your own language with an interpreter.

Do I take the 2025 or the 2008 civics test?

It depends on when you filed Form N-400. Applications filed on or after October 20, 2025 get the 2025 test with 128 questions. Applications filed earlier get the 2008 test.

Do the answers about the President and other officials change?

Yes. Answers about the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House and Chief Justice change after elections or appointments. Always check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.

Sources

Related tests