If you're preparing for the US citizenship test, one of the first things you need to understand is the format: how many questions there are, how many you need to answer correctly, and what topics they cover.
Quick Answer
The officer asks up to 10 questions from a bank of 100. You must answer 6 correctly to pass (60%). Once you reach 6 correct, the officer stops asking. The test is oral—you speak your answers. There's also an English reading and writing test.
The Numbers
100 Total Questions in the Bank
USCIS publishes an official list of 100 civics questions. All test questions come from this list—there are no surprise questions or questions from outside the list. The complete list is available free on uscis.gov.
10 Questions Per Test
During your interview, the USCIS officer selects 10 questions from the 100. The selection varies for each applicant, so you can't predict which 10 you'll get. This is why you need to study all 100.
6 Correct to Pass
You need to answer 6 out of 10 correctly (60%). The officer keeps track as you go. Once you've answered 6 correctly, the officer stops asking—you've passed the civics portion. If you reach 10 questions without getting 6 correct, you've failed.
20 Questions for the 65/20 Exception
If you're 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20+ years, you only need to study 20 of the 100 questions (marked with asterisks on the USCIS list). Your 10 test questions will come from this smaller set.
What Topics Are Covered?
The 100 questions are divided into three main categories:
American Government (Questions 1-57)
- Principles of American Democracy (12 questions): Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, rule of law, economic system
- System of Government (35 questions): Three branches, Congress, President, courts, state and local government, current officials
- Rights and Responsibilities (10 questions): Voting rights, citizenship obligations, Selective Service
American History (Questions 58-87)
- Colonial Period and Independence (10 questions): Why colonists came, Founding Fathers, Revolutionary War, Constitutional Convention
- The 1800s (7 questions): Westward expansion, Civil War, Lincoln, Amendments 13-15
- Recent American History (13 questions): WWI, WWII, Cold War, Civil Rights, September 11
Integrated Civics (Questions 88-100)
- Geography (5 questions): Rivers, oceans, territories, border states
- Symbols (3 questions): Flag stripes and stars, Statue of Liberty, national anthem
- Holidays (5 questions): National holidays and their significance
Beyond the Civics Test
The civics test is only one part of your naturalization interview. You'll also need to pass:
English Reading Test
Read one out of three simple sentences aloud. Uses basic vocabulary from the USCIS reading list.
English Writing Test
Write one out of three dictated sentences correctly. Uses basic vocabulary from the USCIS writing list.
English Speaking Test
Assessed throughout the interview based on your ability to understand and respond to the officer's questions.
N-400 Application Review
The officer reviews your N-400 application, asking you to confirm information, clarify answers, and provide additional details. This is also part of the interview.
How to Study All 100 Questions
100 questions sounds like a lot, but it's manageable with a plan:
- Days 1-3: Study questions 1-25 (Government basics)
- Days 4-6: Study questions 26-50 (Government continued)
- Days 7-9: Study questions 51-75 (Rights/Responsibilities + History)
- Days 10-12: Study questions 76-100 (History + Civics)
- Days 13-14: Review all 100, focus on weak areas
- Days 15-21: Practice tests and daily reviews
Remember: the test is oral. Don't just read the answers—practice saying them out loud. Have someone quiz you by reading questions and listening to your spoken answers. This is the single most important study tip for this particular test.