Failing the citizenship test is more common than you might think, and it's not the end of the road. USCIS gives you a second chance, and most people who fail the first time pass on their second attempt with better preparation.
The Short Answer
If you fail the English or civics test during your first interview, USCIS will reschedule you for a second interview within 60-90 days. You only retake the portion you failed. If you fail the second time, your N-400 application is denied, but you can refile and try again.
What Exactly Counts as "Failing"?
The naturalization interview has multiple components. You can fail one or more:
Civics Test Failure
The officer asks up to 10 questions from the 100 civics questions list. If you answer fewer than 6 correctly, you fail the civics portion. Once you miss 5 questions (making it mathematically impossible to reach 6 correct), the officer stops.
English Test Failure
The English test has three parts: reading, writing, and speaking. For reading and writing, you get three attempts each. If you fail to correctly read at least one sentence out of three, or fail to correctly write at least one sentence out of three, you fail that portion. Speaking is assessed throughout the interview.
Interview Failure
Separate from the English and civics tests, the officer reviews your N-400 application during the interview. If the officer discovers issues with your application (discrepancies, missing information, eligibility concerns), this is a different kind of "failure" that may result in a request for additional evidence or a continuation of the case.
The Retake Process
Step 1: Receive Your Decision
After your first interview, you'll receive Form N-14 indicating which portions you failed. This notice will explain your right to a second interview.
Step 2: Wait for Rescheduling
USCIS is required to reschedule your second interview within 60-90 days of the first. You'll receive a notice with the new date and time. You don't need to do anything to request the retake—it's automatic.
Step 3: Prepare Better
Use the time between interviews to study more effectively. If you failed the civics test, focus on the questions you missed and the areas you're weakest in. If you failed the English test, practice reading and writing using the USCIS vocabulary lists.
Step 4: Take the Second Interview
At your second interview, you only retake the portions you failed. If you passed the civics test but failed the English test, you only take the English test again. The parts you passed previously remain valid.
What If You Fail the Second Time?
If you fail the second interview, USCIS will deny your N-400 application. You'll receive a written denial notice explaining the reason. At this point, you have two options:
Option 1: Request a Hearing (Appeal)
You can request a hearing before an immigration officer to review the denial. This must be done within 30 days of receiving the denial notice using Form N-336 (Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings). The filing fee is $700 as of 2025.
Option 2: Refile Your Application
You can submit a new N-400 application and start the process over. There's no waiting period—you can refile immediately. However, you'll need to pay the full application fee again ($710 as of 2025).
How to Pass on Your Second Attempt
Analyze What Went Wrong
Think honestly about why you failed. Did you not study enough? Were you too nervous to remember answers you actually knew? Did you misunderstand the questions because of language difficulties? The solution depends on the cause.
Study Differently
If your first attempt at studying didn't work, don't repeat the same approach. Try:
- Flashcards: Write each question on one side and the answer on the other. Review daily.
- Audio study: Listen to recordings of the 100 questions and answers while commuting or doing housework.
- Practice with a partner: Have someone quiz you orally, since the real test is oral.
- Study in short sessions: 20-30 minutes, 2-3 times per day, rather than one long session.
Practice the English Components
If you failed the English test:
- Reading: Practice reading simple English sentences using the USCIS reading vocabulary list. Read out loud every day.
- Writing: Practice writing simple sentences by hand. Focus on the USCIS writing vocabulary list. Have someone dictate sentences to you.
- Speaking: Practice answering questions in English. Start with simple yes/no questions and work up to the civics questions.
Consider a Prep Class
Many community organizations, libraries, and immigrant-serving agencies offer free citizenship test preparation classes. These are especially helpful if you're struggling with the English component, as they provide structured practice with a teacher.
How Common Is Failing?
USCIS doesn't publish detailed failure statistics, but estimates suggest that approximately 10-15% of applicants fail on their first attempt. The most common reason is insufficient preparation for the civics test, followed by English language difficulties.
Among applicants who fail the first time and retake the test, the pass rate on the second attempt is significantly higher—most estimates put it at 80-90%. This makes sense: people who fail once are usually motivated to study harder for their second attempt.
Don't Give Up
Failing the citizenship test is a setback, not a dead end. Thousands of people fail and then pass on their second attempt (or on a new application). The key is to use the time between attempts productively: study harder, study smarter, and practice the specific skills the test requires.
Your permanent residency is not affected by failing the citizenship test. You remain a lawful permanent resident regardless of the test outcome. Take the time you need to prepare properly, and try again when you're ready.