USA Citizen Test 2026

2025 version

2025 USCIS Civics Test: 128 Questions and Practice Guide

The 2025 civics test is oral. You study 128 official questions. A USCIS officer asks up to 20, and 12 correct answers pass. The list below follows the USCIS 2025 question bank.

Practice this version

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

Overview

USCIS will administer the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test to applicants who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025. The test is based on the published 128-question bank. It is spoken. You do not need to give every acceptable answer printed under a question — only the number the question asks for.

Source: the USCIS 128 Civics Questions and Answers (form M-1778) and the 2025 Civics Test page. Question wording on this site was checked against a complete reproduction of that bank. Officeholder names were checked against the USCIS test-updates page on November 3, 2026. USCIS last reviewed that updates page on September 18, 2025. Re-check it before your interview. We do not silently rewrite official answers.

Test format and the oral exam

Up to 20 questions. 12 correct to pass. The officer stops when you reach 12 correct or 9 incorrect. An alternative phrasing of a correct answer can count. That judgment belongs to the officer.

65/20 special consideration

Applicants age 65 or older who have been lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years may be tested on 10 of the 20 starred questions, with 6 correct required, and may be allowed to take civics in the language of their choice. Eligibility is a USCIS determination. The stars are visible in the list below.

Answers that can change

8 questions in this bank depend on current officials or on where you live: senators, representative, governor, state capital, president, vice president, Speaker, and chief justice. The federal names shown here matched the USCIS updates page on our review date. State answers are not filled in, because they are not the same for every reader.

All 128 questions and answers

Showing 128 of 128. Wording follows the official 2025 USCIS list. Open the USCIS PDF. Some answers change — check the test updates page.

1What is the form of government of the United States?Principles of American Government
  • Republic
  • Constitution-based federal republic
  • Representative democracy
2What is the supreme law of the land?★Principles of American Government · 65/20 list
  • (U.S.) Constitution
3Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.Principles of American Government
  • Forms the government
  • Defines powers of government
  • Defines the parts of government
  • Protects the rights of the people
4The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?Principles of American Government
  • Self-government
  • Popular sovereignty
  • Consent of the governed
  • People should govern themselves
  • (Example of) social contract
5How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?Principles of American Government
  • Amendments
  • The amendment process
6What does the Bill of Rights protect?Principles of American Government
  • (The basic) rights of Americans
  • (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
7How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?★Principles of American Government · 65/20 list
  • Twenty-seven (27)
8Why is the Declaration of Independence important?Principles of American Government
  • It says America is free from British control.
  • It says all people are created equal.
  • It identifies inherent rights.
  • It identifies individual freedoms.
9What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?Principles of American Government
  • Declaration of Independence
10Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.Principles of American Government
  • Equality
  • Liberty
  • Social contract
  • Natural rights
  • Limited government
  • Self-government
11The words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are in what founding document?Principles of American Government
  • Declaration of Independence
12What is the economic system of the United States?★Principles of American Government · 65/20 list
  • Capitalism
  • Free market economy
13What is the rule of law?Principles of American Government
  • Everyone must follow the law.
  • Leaders must obey the law.
  • Government must obey the law.
  • No one is above the law.
14Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.Principles of American Government
  • 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
15There are three branches of government. Why?Principles of American Government
  • So one part does not become too powerful
  • Checks and balances
  • Separation of powers
16Name the three branches of government.System of Government
  • Legislative, executive, and judicial
  • Congress, president, and the courts
17The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?System of Government
  • Executive branch
18What part of the federal government writes laws?System of Government
  • (U.S.) Congress
  • (U.S. or national) legislature
  • Legislative branch
19What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?System of Government
  • Senate and House (of Representatives)
20Name one power of the U.S. Congress.★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • Writes laws
  • Declares war
  • Makes the federal budget
21How many U.S. senators are there?System of Government
  • One hundred (100)
22How long is a term for a U.S. senator?System of Government
  • Six (6) years
23Who is one of your state's U.S. senators now?System of Government
  • 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.]

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.

24How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?System of Government
  • Four hundred thirty-five (435)
25How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?System of Government
  • Two (2) years
26Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?System of Government
  • To more closely follow public opinion
27How many senators does each state have?System of Government
  • Two (2)
28Why does each state have two senators?System of Government
  • Equal representation (for small states)
  • The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
29Name 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.]

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.

30What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • 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.

31Who does a U.S. senator represent?System of Government
  • Citizens of their state
  • People of their state
32Who elects U.S. senators?System of Government
  • Citizens from their state
33Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?System of Government
  • Citizens in their (congressional) district
  • Citizens in their district
  • People from their (congressional) district
  • People in their district
34Who elects members of the House of Representatives?System of Government
  • Citizens from their (congressional) district
35Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?System of Government
  • (Because of) the state's population
  • (Because) they have more people
  • (Because) some states have more people
36The President of the United States is elected for how many years?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • Four (4) years
37The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?System of Government
  • (Because of) the 22nd Amendment
  • To keep the president from becoming too powerful
38What 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.

39What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • 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.

40If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?System of Government
  • The Vice President (of the United States)
41Name one power of the president.System of Government
  • Signs bills into law
  • Vetoes bills
  • Enforces laws
  • Commander in Chief (of the military)
  • Chief diplomat
  • Appoints federal judges
42Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?System of Government
  • The President (of the United States)
43Who signs bills to become laws?System of Government
  • The President (of the United States)
44Who vetoes bills?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • The President (of the United States)
45Who appoints federal judges?System of Government
  • The President (of the United States)
46The executive branch has many parts. Name one.System of Government
  • President (of the United States)
  • Cabinet
  • Federal departments and agencies
47What does the President's Cabinet do?System of Government
  • Advises the President (of the United States)
48What are two Cabinet-level positions?System of Government
  • 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
  • Secretary of War (Defense)
  • 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
49Why is the Electoral College important?System of Government
  • It decides who is elected president.
  • It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
50What is one part of the judicial branch?System of Government
  • Supreme Court
  • Federal Courts
51What does the judicial branch do?System of Government
  • Reviews laws
  • Explains laws
  • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
  • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution
52What is the highest court in the United States?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • Supreme Court
53How many seats are on the Supreme Court?System of Government
  • Nine (9)
54How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?System of Government
  • Five (5)
55How long do Supreme Court justices serve?System of Government
  • (For) life
  • Lifetime appointment
  • (Until) retirement
56Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?System of Government
  • To be independent (of politics)
  • To limit outside (political) influence
57Who 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.

58Name one power that is only for the federal government.System of Government
  • Print paper money
  • Mint coins
  • Declare war
  • Create an army
  • Make treaties
  • Set foreign policy
59Name one power that is only for 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
60What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?System of Government
  • (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
61Who is the governor of your state now?★System of Government · 65/20 list
  • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a governor.]

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.

62What is the capital of your state?System of Government
  • 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.

63There are four amendments to the U.S. 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).
64Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?Rights and Responsibilities
  • Citizens
  • Citizens of the United States
  • U.S. citizens
65What are three 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
66What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?★Rights and Responsibilities · 65/20 list
  • The United States
  • The flag
67Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.Rights and Responsibilities
  • Give up loyalty to other countries
  • Defend the (U.S.) Constitution
  • Obey the laws of the United States
  • Serve in the military (if needed)
  • Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed)
  • Be loyal to the United States
68How can people become United States citizens?Rights and Responsibilities
  • Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
  • Naturalize
  • Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)
69What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?Rights and Responsibilities
  • Vote
  • Run for office
  • 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)
  • Contact elected officials
  • Support or oppose an issue or policy
  • Write to a newspaper
70What is one way Americans can serve their country?Rights and Responsibilities
  • Vote
  • Pay taxes
  • Obey the law
  • Serve in the military
  • Run for office
  • Work for local, state, or federal government
71Why is it important to pay federal taxes?Rights and Responsibilities
  • Required by law
  • All people pay to fund the federal government
  • Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)
  • Civic duty
72It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.Rights and Responsibilities
  • Required by law
  • Civic duty
  • Makes the draft fair, if needed
73The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.Colonial Period and Independence
  • Freedom
  • Political liberty
  • Religious freedom
  • Economic opportunity
  • Escape persecution
74Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?★Colonial Period and Independence · 65/20 list
  • American Indians
  • Native Americans
75What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?Colonial Period and Independence
  • Africans
  • People from Africa
76What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?Colonial Period and Independence
  • American Revolution
  • The (American) Revolutionary War
  • War for (American) Independence
77Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.Colonial Period and Independence
  • High taxes
  • Taxation without representation
  • British soldiers stayed in Americans' houses (boarding, quartering)
  • They did not have self-government
  • Boston Massacre
  • Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)
  • Stamp Act
  • Sugar Act
  • Townshend Acts
  • Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
78Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?★Colonial Period and Independence · 65/20 list
  • (Thomas) Jefferson
79When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?Colonial Period and Independence
  • July 4, 1776
80The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.Colonial Period and Independence
  • (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 at Yorktown)
81There were 13 original states. Name five.Colonial Period and Independence
  • New Hampshire
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Connecticut
  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Georgia
82What founding document was written in 1787?Colonial Period and Independence
  • (U.S.) Constitution
83The 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
84Why were the Federalist Papers important?Colonial Period and Independence
  • They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution.
  • They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.
85Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.Colonial Period and Independence
  • Founded the first free public libraries
  • First Postmaster General of the United States
  • Helped write the Declaration of Independence
  • Inventor
  • U.S. diplomat
86George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.★Colonial Period and Independence · 65/20 list
  • "Father of Our Country"
  • First president of the United States
  • General of the Continental Army
  • President of the Constitutional Convention
87Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.Colonial Period and Independence
  • Writer of the Declaration of Independence
  • Third president of the United States
  • Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase)
  • First Secretary of State
  • Founded the University of Virginia
  • Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom
88James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.Colonial Period and Independence
  • "Father of the Constitution"
  • Fourth president of the United States
  • President during the War of 1812
  • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
89Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.Colonial Period and Independence
  • First Secretary of the Treasury
  • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
  • Helped establish the First Bank of the United States
  • Aide to General George Washington
  • Member of the Continental Congress
90What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?1800s
  • Louisiana Territory
  • Louisiana
91Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.1800s
  • War of 1812
  • Mexican-American War
  • Civil War
  • Spanish-American War
92Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.1800s
  • The Civil War
93The Civil War had many important events. Name one.1800s
  • (Battle of) Fort Sumter
  • Emancipation Proclamation
  • (Battle of) Vicksburg
  • (Battle of) Gettysburg
  • Sherman's March
  • (Surrender at) Appomattox
  • (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg
  • Lincoln was assassinated.
94Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.★1800s · 65/20 list
  • Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
  • Saved (or preserved) the Union
  • Led the United States during the Civil War
  • 16th president of the United States
  • Delivered the Gettysburg Address
95What 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
96What U.S. war ended slavery?1800s
  • The Civil War
97What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?1800s
  • 14th Amendment
98When did all men get the right to vote?1800s
  • After the Civil War
  • During Reconstruction
  • (With the) 15th Amendment
  • 1870
99Name one leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s.1800s
  • Susan B. Anthony
  • Elizabeth Cady Stanton
  • Sojourner Truth
  • Harriet Tubman
  • Lucretia Mott
  • Lucy Stone
100Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • Korean War
  • Vietnam War
  • (Persian) Gulf War
101Why did the United States enter World War I?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships
  • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia)
  • To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)
102When did all women get the right to vote?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • 1920
  • After World War I
  • (With the) 19th Amendment
103What was the Great Depression?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Longest economic recession in modern history
104When did the Great Depression start?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • The Great Crash (1929)
  • Stock market crash of 1929
105Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • (Franklin) Roosevelt
106Why did the United States enter World War II?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • (Bombing of) Pearl Harbor
  • Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
  • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia)
  • To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan)
107Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • General during World War II
  • President at the end of (during) the Korean War
  • 34th president of the United States
  • Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System)
108Who was the United States' main rival during the Cold War?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Soviet Union
  • USSR
  • Russia
109During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Communism
  • Nuclear war
110Why did the United States enter the Korean War?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • To stop the spread of communism
111Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • To stop the spread of communism
112What did the civil rights movement do?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Fought to end racial discrimination
113Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.★Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · 65/20 list
  • Fought for civil rights
  • Worked for equality for all Americans
  • Worked to ensure that people would "not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character"
114Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
115What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?★Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · 65/20 list
  • Terrorists attacked the United States
  • Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City
  • Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
  • Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania
116Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks.Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • (Global) War on Terror
  • War in Afghanistan
  • War in Iraq
117Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • 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 of tribes, please visit bia.gov.
118Name one example of an American innovation.Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
  • Light bulb
  • Automobile (cars, internal combustion engine)
  • Skyscrapers
  • Airplane
  • Assembly line
  • Landing on the moon
  • Integrated circuit (IC)
119What is the capital of the United States?Symbols
  • Washington, D.C.
120Where is the Statue of Liberty?Symbols
  • New York (Harbor)
  • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
121Why does the flag have 13 stripes?★Symbols · 65/20 list
  • (Because there were) 13 original colonies
  • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
122Why does the flag have 50 stars?Symbols
  • (Because there is) one star for each state
  • (Because) each star represents a state
  • (Because there are) 50 states
123What is the name of the national anthem?Symbols
  • The Star-Spangled Banner
124The Nation's first motto was "E Pluribus Unum." What does that mean?Symbols
  • Out of many, one
  • We all become one
125What is Independence Day?Holidays
  • A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
  • The country's birthday
126Name three national U.S. holidays.★Holidays · 65/20 list
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
127What is Memorial Day?Holidays
  • A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
128What is Veterans Day?Holidays
  • A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
  • A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)

How to study this version

Learn one accepted answer you can say cleanly. Add a second or third only when the question requires it. Keep the changing-answer questions on their own list and refresh them the week of the interview. Use the official PDF as the document of record: 128 Civics Questions and Answers and the 2025 study guide.

Preparing questions…

Questions about this version

Who takes the 2025 civics test?

USCIS says it gives the 2025 civics test to people who file Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025. If your application was filed earlier, study the 2008 list instead, and confirm the rule on uscis.gov.

How many questions do I need?

The officer asks up to 20 of the 128. You need 12 correct. The test stops at 12 correct or 9 incorrect.

Are the starred questions for everyone?

No. Twenty questions are marked for the 65/20 special consideration. Other applicants study the full bank.