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🇺🇸 US citizenship test 2026: format, pass mark and how to prepare
Reviewed November 10, 2026 against uscis.gov
The U.S. civics test is the spoken part of the naturalization interview, where a USCIS officer asks questions about American government and history. Oral interview — up to 20 questions, 12 correct to pass.
U.S. Naturalization Civics Test at a glance
| Number of questions | Up to 20, asked aloud by an officer |
|---|---|
| Pass mark | 12 correct |
| Time limit | Not timed (oral interview) |
| When it stops | As soon as you get 12 right, or 9 wrong |
| Topics | Principles of Government, System of Government, Rights & Responsibilities, Colonial Period & Independence, The 1800s, Recent American History, Geography, Symbols & Holidays |
| Official study material | uscis.gov |
Who takes the test
People applying to become U.S. citizens through naturalization (Form N-400). The rules on who must take it, and any exemptions, are set by the government and can change: check uscis.gov before you book.
What’s on the test
Questions come from the official study material. CivicPass groups its 150 practice questions into the same topics:
- Principles of Government — 18 questions, for example: “What is the supreme law of the land?”
- System of Government — 52 questions, for example: “Name one branch or part of the government.”
- Rights & Responsibilities — 14 questions, for example: “What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?”
- Colonial Period & Independence — 20 questions, for example: “Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?”
- The 1800s — 11 questions, for example: “What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?”
- Recent American History — 21 questions, for example: “Who was President during World War I?”
- Geography, Symbols & Holidays — 14 questions, for example: “Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.”
How to prepare
- Read the official guide from uscis.gov. Every question is based on it.
- Practise by topic until you get each question right twice in a row. Read the explanation when you get one wrong.
- Take full mock tests under real conditions: oral interview — up to 20 questions, 12 correct to pass.
- Book the test when you pass 3 mock tests in a row. That’s the bar for our Pass Guarantee.
Sample questions
Answer: The Constitution
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. No federal or state law may contradict it.
Answer: Sets up and defines the government
The Constitution sets up the government, defines it, and protects the basic rights of Americans.
Answer: We the People
"We the People" expresses that the government gets its power from the people.
Answer: A change or addition to the Constitution
An amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution.
Answer: The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments, ratified in 1791, are called the Bill of Rights.
More sample US citizenship test questions →
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the US citizenship test?
The officer asks up to 20 questions from the official list and stops once you have 12 right or 9 wrong.
What is the pass mark for the US citizenship test?
You need 12 correct answers to pass.
What topics are on the US citizenship test?
Principles of Government, System of Government, Rights & Responsibilities, Colonial Period & Independence, The 1800s, Recent American History, Geography, Symbols & Holidays. Questions are based on the official study material from uscis.gov.
Who has to take the US citizenship test?
People applying to become U.S. citizens through naturalization (Form N-400). Always check the current rules on uscis.gov.
Can I practise the US citizenship test for free?
Yes. CivicPass has 150 practice questions with explanations, and the first 1 topics are free. You can take 3 free quizzes a day with no sign-up. Timed mock tests that follow the official rules come with the 6-Month Pass ($9.99, one-time).
Practise the US citizenship test free
3 free quizzes a day, no sign-up. Timed mock tests with the official pass rules come with the 6-Month Pass ($9.99, one-time).
Start practising →CivicPass is an independent study tool, not affiliated with any government. Test rules change: the official source is always uscis.gov.