USA Citizen Test 2026

2008 version

2008 US Civics Test: All 100 Questions and Answers

If your Form N-400 was filed before October 20, 2025, this is the civics bank to study. One hundred official questions. Up to 10 asked. Six correct answers to pass.

Practice the 2008 list

Content last reviewed November 3, 2026. Not legal advice.

Overview

The 2008 naturalization civics test is still in use. USCIS gives it to applicants who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025. It is an oral test. The officer asks up to 10 questions from the list of 100 and stops at 6 correct or 5 incorrect.

The questions and the 65/20 asterisks below follow the official 2008 civics list. See the USCIS 100-question PDF. Names of current officials were aligned with the USCIS test-updates page on November 3, 2026. Older copies of this test still say the previous president. Do not memorize those.

Answers and the 65/20 list

Any one accepted answer is enough unless the question asks for more. Twenty questions are marked for the 65/20 special consideration. Those applicants are asked 10 of the 20 and need 6 correct. Everyone else studies all 100, including the geography questions that the 2025 bank does not use in the same way.

Study strategy

Do not “upgrade” yourself to the 128-question test if your filing date is earlier. The questions are a different set. Say answers aloud, and keep senator, representative, governor, and state-capital questions tied to where you live.

All 100 official questions

Showing 100 of 100. Wording follows the official 2008 USCIS list. Open the USCIS PDF. Some answers change — check the test updates page.

1What is the supreme law of the land?Principles of American Democracy
  • the Constitution
2What does the Constitution do?Principles of American Democracy
  • sets up the government
  • defines the government
  • protects basic rights of Americans
3The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?Principles of American Democracy
  • We the People
4What is an amendment?Principles of American Democracy
  • a change (to the Constitution)
  • an addition (to the Constitution)
5What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?Principles of American Democracy
  • the Bill of Rights
6What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?★Principles of American Democracy · 65/20 list
  • speech
  • religion
  • assembly
  • press
  • petition the government
7How many amendments does the Constitution have?Principles of American Democracy
  • twenty-seven (27)
8What did the Declaration of Independence do?Principles of American Democracy
  • announced our independence (from Great Britain)
  • declared our independence (from Great Britain)
  • said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
9What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?Principles of American Democracy
  • life
  • liberty
  • pursuit of happiness
10What is freedom of religion?Principles of American Democracy
  • You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
11What is the economic system in the United States?★Principles of American Democracy · 65/20 list
  • capitalist economy
  • market economy
12What is the “rule of law”?Principles of American Democracy
  • Everyone must follow the law.
  • Leaders must obey the law.
  • Government must obey the law.
  • No one is above the law.
13Name one branch or part of the government.★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • Congress
  • legislative
  • President
  • executive
  • the courts
  • judicial
14What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?System of Government
  • checks and balances
  • separation of powers
15Who is in charge of the executive branch?System of Government
  • the President
16Who makes federal laws?System of Government
  • Congress
  • Senate and House (of Representatives)
  • (U.S. or national) legislature
17What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • the Senate and House (of Representatives)
18How many U.S. Senators are there?System of Government
  • one hundred (100)
19We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?System of Government
  • six (6)
20Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • Answers will vary. District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.
  • Look up your state's senators at senate.gov.

This answer depends on where you live. USCIS expects the fact for your state or territory at the time of the interview. Citizen Prep US does not look that up for you.

21The House of Representatives has how many voting members?System of Government
  • four hundred thirty-five (435)
22We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?System of Government
  • two (2)
23Name your U.S. Representative.System of Government
  • Answers will vary. Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) Representatives in Congress.
  • Look up your representative at house.gov.

This answer depends on where you live. USCIS expects the fact for your state or territory at the time of the interview. Citizen Prep US does not look that up for you.

24Who does a U.S. Senator represent?System of Government
  • all people of the state
25Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?System of Government
  • (because of) the state’s population
  • (because) they have more people
  • (because) some states have more people
26We elect a President for how many years?System of Government
  • four (4)
27In what month do we vote for President?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • November
28What is the name of the President of the United States now?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • Donald J. Trump
  • Donald Trump
  • Trump

Officeholder answers can change after elections or appointments. The names below match the USCIS test-updates page as checked on November 3, 2026 (USCIS last reviewed that page on September 18, 2025). Confirm the current name before your interview.

29What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?System of Government
  • JD Vance
  • Vance

Officeholder answers can change after elections or appointments. The names below match the USCIS test-updates page as checked on November 3, 2026 (USCIS last reviewed that page on September 18, 2025). Confirm the current name before your interview.

30If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?System of Government
  • the Vice President
31If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?System of Government
  • the Speaker of the House
32Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?System of Government
  • the President
33Who signs bills to become laws?System of Government
  • the President
34Who vetoes bills?System of Government
  • the President
35What does the President’s Cabinet do?System of Government
  • advises the President
36What are two Cabinet-level positions?System of Government
  • Secretary of Agriculture
  • Secretary of Commerce
  • Secretary of Defense
  • 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
  • Attorney General
  • Vice President
37What does the judicial branch do?System of Government
  • reviews laws
  • explains laws
  • resolves disputes (disagreements)
  • decides if a law goes against the Constitution
38What is the highest court in the United States?System of Government
  • the Supreme Court
39How many justices are on the Supreme Court?System of Government
  • nine (9)
40Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?System of Government
  • John Roberts
  • John G. Roberts, Jr.
  • Roberts

Officeholder answers can change after elections or appointments. The names below match the USCIS test-updates page as checked on November 3, 2026 (USCIS last reviewed that page on September 18, 2025). Confirm the current name before your interview.

41Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?System of Government
  • to print money
  • to declare war
  • to create an army
  • to make treaties
42Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?System of Government
  • provide schooling and education
  • provide protection (police)
  • provide safety (fire departments)
  • give a driver’s license
  • approve zoning and land use
43Who is the Governor of your state now?System of Government
  • Answers will vary. District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor.
  • Look up your governor at usa.gov/states-and-territories.

This answer depends on where you live. USCIS expects the fact for your state or territory at the time of the interview. Citizen Prep US does not look that up for you.

44What is the capital of your state?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • Answers will vary. District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.

This answer depends on where you live. USCIS expects the fact for your state or territory at the time of the interview. Citizen Prep US does not look that up for you.

45What are the two major political parties in the United States?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • Democratic and Republican
46What is the political party of the President now?System of Government
  • Republican (Party)

Officeholder answers can change after elections or appointments. The names below match the USCIS test-updates page as checked on November 3, 2026 (USCIS last reviewed that page on September 18, 2025). Confirm the current name before your interview.

47What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?System of Government
  • Mike Johnson
  • Johnson
  • James Michael Johnson

Officeholder answers can change after elections or appointments. The names below match the USCIS test-updates page as checked on November 3, 2026 (USCIS last reviewed that page on September 18, 2025). Confirm the current name before your interview.

48There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.Rights and Responsibilities
  • Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
  • You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
  • Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
  • A male citizen of any race (can vote).
49What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?★Rights and Responsibilities · 65/20 list
  • serve on a jury
  • vote in a federal election
50Name one right only for United States citizens.Rights and Responsibilities
  • vote in a federal election
  • run for federal office
51What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?Rights and Responsibilities
  • freedom of expression
  • freedom of speech
  • freedom of assembly
  • freedom to petition the government
  • freedom of religion
  • the right to bear arms
52What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?Rights and Responsibilities
  • the United States
  • the flag
53What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?Rights and Responsibilities
  • give up loyalty to other countries
  • defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
  • obey the laws of the United States
  • serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
  • serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
  • be loyal to the United States
54How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?★Rights and Responsibilities · 65/20 list
  • eighteen (18) and older
55What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?Rights and Responsibilities
  • vote
  • join a political party
  • help with a campaign
  • join a civic group
  • join a community group
  • give an elected official your opinion on an issue
  • call Senators and Representatives
  • publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
  • run for office
  • write to a newspaper
56When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?★Rights and Responsibilities · 65/20 list
  • April 15
57When must all men register for the Selective Service?Rights and Responsibilities
  • at age eighteen (18)
  • between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
58What is one reason colonists came to America?Colonial Period and Independence
  • freedom
  • political liberty
  • religious freedom
  • economic opportunity
  • practice their religion
  • escape persecution
59Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?Colonial Period and Independence
  • American Indians
  • Native Americans
60What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?Colonial Period and Independence
  • Africans
  • people from Africa
61Why did the colonists fight the British?Colonial Period and Independence
  • because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
  • because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
  • because they didn’t have self-government
62Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?Colonial Period and Independence
  • (Thomas) Jefferson
63When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?Colonial Period and Independence
  • July 4, 1776
64There were 13 original states. Name three.Colonial Period and Independence
  • New Hampshire
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Connecticut
  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Georgia
65What happened at the Constitutional Convention?Colonial Period and Independence
  • The Constitution was written.
  • The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
66When was the Constitution written?Colonial Period and Independence
  • 1787
67The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.Colonial Period and Independence
  • (James) Madison
  • (Alexander) Hamilton
  • (John) Jay
  • Publius
68What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?Colonial Period and Independence
  • U.S. diplomat
  • oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
  • first Postmaster General of the United States
  • writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
  • started the first free libraries
69Who is the “Father of Our Country”?Colonial Period and Independence
  • (George) Washington
70Who was the first President?★Colonial Period and Independence · 65/20 list
  • (George) Washington
71What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?1800s
  • the Louisiana Territory
  • Louisiana
72Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.1800s
  • War of 1812
  • Mexican-American War
  • Civil War
  • Spanish-American War
73Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.1800s
  • the Civil War
  • the War between the States
74Name one problem that led to the Civil War.1800s
  • slavery
  • economic reasons
  • states rights
75What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?★1800s · 65/20 list
  • freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
  • saved (or preserved) the Union
  • led the United States during the Civil War
76What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?1800s
  • freed the slaves
  • freed slaves in the Confederacy
  • freed slaves in the Confederate states
  • freed slaves in most Southern states
77What did Susan B. Anthony do?1800s
  • fought for women’s rights
  • fought for civil rights
78Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.★Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · 65/20 list
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • Korean War
  • Vietnam War
  • (Persian) Gulf War
79Who was President during World War I?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • (Woodrow) Wilson
80Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • (Franklin) Roosevelt
81Who did the United States fight in World War II?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Japan, Germany, and Italy
82Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • World War II
83During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Communism
84What movement tried to end racial discrimination?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • civil rights (movement)
85What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?★Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · 65/20 list
  • fought for civil rights
  • worked for equality for all Americans
86What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Terrorists attacked the United States.
87Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Cherokee
  • Navajo
  • Sioux
  • Chippewa
  • Choctaw
  • Pueblo
  • Apache
  • Iroquois
  • Creek
  • Blackfeet
  • Seminole
  • Cheyenne
  • Arawak
  • Shawnee
  • Mohegan
  • Huron
  • Oneida
  • Lakota
  • Crow
  • Teton
  • Hopi
  • Inuit
88Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.Geography
  • Missouri (River)
  • Mississippi (River)
89What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?Geography
  • Pacific (Ocean)
90What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?Geography
  • Atlantic (Ocean)
91Name one U.S. territory.Geography
  • Puerto Rico
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • American Samoa
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Guam
92Name one state that borders Canada.Geography
  • Maine
  • New Hampshire
  • Vermont
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Ohio
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • North Dakota
  • Montana
  • Idaho
  • Washington
  • Alaska
93Name one state that borders Mexico.Geography
  • California
  • Arizona
  • New Mexico
  • Texas
94What is the capital of the United States?★Geography · 65/20 list
  • Washington, D.C.
95Where is the Statue of Liberty?★Geography · 65/20 list
  • New York (Harbor)
  • Liberty Island
96Why does the flag have 13 stripes?Symbols
  • because there were 13 original colonies
  • because the stripes represent the original colonies
97Why does the flag have 50 stars?★Symbols · 65/20 list
  • because there is one star for each state
  • because each star represents a state
  • because there are 50 states
98What is the name of the national anthem?Symbols
  • The Star-Spangled Banner
99When do we celebrate Independence Day?★Holidays · 65/20 list
  • July 4
100Name two national U.S. holidays.Holidays
  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents’ Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas

Interactive practice

A five-question sample from the 2008 bank. Multiple choice, not the oral exam.

Preparing questions…

Is the 2008 test retired?

No. USCIS still administers it to N-400 filings from before October 20, 2025. The 2025 test is an additional version, not a deletion of the older one.

What is the passing score?

Six correct answers out of up to ten questions.