Beginning October 20, 2025, USCIS will administer a revamped civics test to naturalization applicants, significantly changing the structure, scope, and difficulty of the examination. The new civics test expands the question bank from 100 to 128 items—including more questions about American history, government structure, and civic responsibilities—while removing or de-emphasizing geography topics. USCIS will release updated study materials on its website, and applicants should ensure they review the correct version based on the timing of their application.
Major Changes
- Number of Questions: The previous test, used since 2008, required applicants to study 100 questions. During the interview, up to 10 random questions were asked, and six correct answers were needed to pass. Under the new system, there are 128 questions in the study pool, with up to 20 questions asked at the citizenship interview. Applicants must answer at least 12 correctly to pass.
- Test Procedure: The interviewing officer now stops once an applicant either reaches 12 correct answers (pass) or 9 incorrect answers (fail), potentially making the exam shorter or longer depending on the applicant’s performance.
- Content Focus: About 75% of questions are retained or modified from the older material, but roughly 25% are new—these new questions put greater emphasis on understanding U.S. governance and foundational historical events over rote facts.
Context, Impact, and Preparation
- Eligibility and Transition: Applicants filing their N-400 before October 20, 2025, will still take the longstanding 2008 test. Anyone applying on or after that date must take the new civics exam.
- Preparation Advice: The Law Office of Mariana Toledo-Hermina encourages applicants to focus on deep conceptual understanding rather than pure memorization, as questions may be phrased differently than in the study materials.
Exceptions for Certain Applicants
Applicants over a certain age or with long-term residency still benefit from exceptions:
The English language test can be waived for certain elderly applicants, and they may use their native language with an interpreter during the civics exam. Special rules also provide a simplified set of civics questions for those age 65 and over with more than 20 years of permanent residence.
The Law Office of Mariana Toledo-Hermina advises applicants to review study materials early, focus on core concepts, and file naturalization applications before the deadline if they wish to take the earlier, less demanding civics test.