U.S. Civics Test, 2008 Version: 100 Questions

About the real exam

Which version you take depends on when you filed Form N-400. If you filed before October 20, 2025, you take this 2008 version. If you filed on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 version.

The civics test is an oral test. A USCIS officer asks you up to 10 of the 100 questions, and you must answer 6 correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test.

Some answers change because of elections or appointments. Answer with the name of the official serving at the time of your interview.

How to pass

• The officer asks up to 10 of the 100 questions; you must answer 6 correctly to pass.
• If you are 65 or older and have been a legal permanent resident for 20 or more years, you may study just the 20 questions marked with an asterisk.
• USCIS encourages applicants to answer with the answers on its list, although there may be other correct answers.
• This exam simulation asks 10 questions and uses the same pass mark of 6 correct answers.

Study tips

• Check which version applies to you: the date you filed Form N-400 decides it.
• Learn one official answer for every question; give two or three only when the question asks for them.
• Practice saying the answers out loud, because the real test is oral.
• Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates shortly before your interview for answers that change after elections or appointments.
• Look up your own U.S. senators, U.S. representative, governor and state capital before your interview (see the list below).

Prefer to read first? All 96 questions are on one page with their answers and explanations: Civics Test 2008 Questions and Answers

Want to practice reading, writing and civics together, the way the interview runs them? U.S. Citizenship Interview Practice Test

Need the answers that depend on where you live? Your State’s Officials for the Civics Test

Also preparing for the English part of the interview? USCIS English Test: Reading & Writing Practice

Have a test date? Make a short daily plan from your saved progress: Study Planner for Your Citizenship or Permit Test

Applicants 65 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident (65/20)

If you are 65 or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the 20 questions marked with an asterisk on the official 2008 list. They are listed below with one official answer each.

• Question 6: What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? Answer: Speech.
• Question 11: What is the economic system in the United States? Answer: Capitalist economy.
• Question 13: Name one branch or part of the government. Answer: Congress.
• Question 17: What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? Answer: Senate and House of Representatives.
• Question 20: Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now? Answer: depends on where you live (see below).
• Question 27: In what month do we vote for President? Answer: November.
• Question 28: What is the name of the President of the United States now? Answer: Donald J. Trump.
• Question 44: What is the capital of your state? Answer: depends on where you live (see below).
• Question 45: What are the two major political parties in the United States? Answer: Democratic and Republican.
• Question 49: What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? Answer: Serve on a jury.
• Question 54: How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? Answer: Eighteen (18) and older.
• Question 56: When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms? Answer: April 15.
• Question 70: Who was the first President? Answer: (George) Washington.
• Question 75: What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did? Answer: Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation).
• Question 78: Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. Answer: World War II.
• Question 85: What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do? Answer: Fought for civil rights.
• Question 94: What is the capital of the United States? Answer: Washington, D.C..
• Question 95: Where is the Statue of Liberty? Answer: New York Harbor.
• Question 97: Why does the flag have 50 stars? Answer: Because there is one star for each state.
• Question 99: When do we celebrate Independence Day? Answer: July 4.

2008 and 2025 versions: what is different

• 2008 version: for Form N-400 filed before October 20, 2025. Up to 10 questions from a list of 100; 6 correct answers to pass.
• 2025 version: for Form N-400 filed on or after October 20, 2025. Up to 20 questions from a list of 128; 12 correct answers to pass.
• Many questions appear in both lists, but the lists, the number of questions asked and the pass marks are different. Study the list for your version.

Questions whose answers depend on where you live

These 4 official questions are not multiple choice here because the correct answer depends on your state or territory. Prepare your own answers before the interview.

• Question 20: Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now? Answers vary by where you live. USCIS note: 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 is one of the 20 asterisked questions for applicants 65/20.
• Question 23: Name your U.S. Representative. Answers vary by where you live. USCIS note: 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.
• Question 43: Who is the Governor of your state now? Answers vary by where you live. USCIS note: District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor.
• Question 44: What is the capital of your state? Answers vary by where you live. USCIS note: 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 is one of the 20 asterisked questions for applicants 65/20.

Answers that can change

Questions 28, 29, 39, 40, 46 and 47 ask about the current President, Vice President, number of Supreme Court justices, Chief Justice, the President’s political party and the Speaker of the House. The official list sends you to USCIS’s Check for Test Updates page for these answers; the answers used here come from that page (last updated September 18, 2025, verified October 13, 2026). Always check it shortly before your interview.

Frequently asked questions

Do I take the 2008 or the 2025 civics test?

It depends on when you filed Form N-400. If you filed before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 version (up to 10 questions from 100, 6 correct to pass). If you filed on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 version.

How many questions do I need to answer correctly?

For the 2008 version, 6 of the up to 10 questions the officer asks.

What if I am 65 or older?

If you are 65 or older and have been a legal permanent resident for 20 or more years, you may study just the 20 questions marked with an asterisk. Use the “65/20” practice set on this page; it has 18 of them, and the other 2 depend on where you live and are listed below the test.

Do I need to give the exact official wording?

USCIS encourages applicants to answer with the answers on its list. Learning one official answer per question is the safest way to prepare.

Is this the official USCIS test?

No. KorayGlobal is an independent study site and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. The questions and accepted answers are taken from the official USCIS list.

This is an independent practice test, not the official exam. Always confirm the current rules with the official source.