What’s on the Test?

The citizenship interview is broken up into 4 parts:

  1. Reading
  2. Writing
  3. 100 Civics Questions
  4. Questions based on your N-400 Application

Reading

During the reading part, the officer will ask you to read a sentence. Many USCIS field offices are using tablets such as iPads. You will read the sentence that appears on the screen. You will only have to read the sentence; you don’t have to answer it if it’s a question. You will have 3 tries to pass this section. Here is a list of the Reading Vocabulary to study.

USCIS Video: The Reading/Writing Test

Writing

During the writing part, the officer will dictate a sentence to you and you will have to write down what you hear. You will not be able to see the sentence. Many USCIS field offices are using tablets such as iPads for the reading and writing sections. You will have 3 tries to pass this section. Your writing doesn’t have to be perfect and you may leave out short words that do not interfere with the meaning. Here is a list of the Writing Vocabulary to study.

Study Tip: To practice writing on a screen, you can use the Notes app on a smartphone or tablet and either your finger or a stylus pen.

USCIS Video: The Reading/Writing Test

100 Civics Questions

There are 100 Civics Questions to study for this part of the interview. The officer will randomly choose 10 questions to ask and you will need to answer 6 correctly. Once you answer 6 questions correctly, the officer will move on to the next part of the interview. Because you won’t know which 10 questions the officer will ask, you will need to study all 100 Civics Questions.

If you are 65 years old or older at the time of filing your N-400 application and have had your Green Card for 20 years, you only need to study 20 Civics Questions.

USCIS Video: The Civics Test

N-400 Application

The officer will ask you questions based on the answers you gave on your N-400 Application. It’s important to keep a copy of your application to help you study. Be sure you are able to answer all questions and understand all vocabulary on the application.

USCIS Video: The Naturalization Interview

Exceptions and Accommodations

English Language Exemptions

If you are:

Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization AND have lived as a permanent resident (Green Card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception),

OR

Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization AND have lived as a permanent resident (Green Card holder) in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception),

You do not need to take the English language requirement (read, write, speak, and understand English), but you need to take and pass the Civics portion (100 Civics Questions).

During the interview, you are able to:

  • Take the civics test in your native language.
  • If you take the test in your native language, you must bring an interpreter with you to your interview.
  • Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language.

If you are:

Age 65 or older AND have been a permanent resident (Green Card holder) for at least 20 years at the time of filing for naturalization

You do not need to take the English language requirement (read, write, speak, and understand English), but will need to take and pass a modified Civics portion (20 Civics Questions). The 65/20 Special Consideration Civics version is a list of 20 questions to study instead of 100 questions. The officer will ask you 10 out of 20 questions and you will need to answer 6 out of 10 correct to pass.

You can also:

  • Take the civics test in your native language.
  • If you take the test in your native language, you must bring an interpreter with you to your interview.
  • Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language.

A full list of Exceptions and Accommodations can be found on the USCIS Website: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/exceptions-and-accommodations