USCIS Announces 2025 Civics Test: 128 Questions, 12/20 Pass

(UNITED STATES) The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will roll out a tougher civics test for naturalization on October 20, 2025, raising the bar for green card holders seeking U.S. citizenship. The agency confirmed that applicants who file the Form N-400 on or after that date will face a 128‑question study pool and must answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly during the oral interview. Applications filed before the deadline will continue under the 2008 test, which uses a 100‑question pool and a 6‑of‑10 passing standard. The move brings back key parts of the 2020 test introduced under President Trump and later rescinded by President Biden.

USCIS officials describe the shift as part of a broader effort to “enhance the integrity of the naturalization process.” The agency is also tightening other parts of adjudication, including how it reviews “good moral character,” and is reviving community checks and online vetting in certain cases. Immigrant advocates warn the changes could slow the pace of naturalization, especially for older applicants and those with limited English skills. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the higher question pool and increased passing threshold will likely demand longer preparation time and more structured study plans.

How the 2025 Civics Test Works

• An officer will ask up to 20 questions during the naturalization interview.
• The test ends early if the applicant reaches 12 correct answers, or if they miss 9 questions before reaching 20.
• The format remains oral — no multiple choice — and several questions may have more than one acceptable answer.
• USCIS says the English reading, writing, and speaking parts of the exam are unchanged at this time.
• Applicants who fail the civics test at the first interview receive a second chance; a second failure leads to denial of the application.

Policy Changes Overview

The updated civics test brings both new topics and wider coverage. USCIS study materials will include questions on:

• The 10th Amendment
• The Federalist Papers
• Founders Alexander Hamilton and James Madison
• Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Examples of American innovation

These additions complement the existing focus on the Constitution, branches of government, and U.S. history.

Special Rules and Exceptions

• 65/20 rule: People who are 65 or older and have been lawful permanent residents for 20 years or more may prepare from a shorter list of 20 questions and take the civics portion in their preferred language. They must still answer 6 out of 10 correctly.
• Disability exceptions: Continue to exist, though advocates expect closer review of medical evidence when applicants request waivers or accommodations.

Other Citizenship Process Tightenings

• Good moral character review: Officers may look more closely at minor offenses, tax filings, prior immigration history, and honesty in previous applications.
• Neighborhood and workplace checks: USCIS is returning to in‑person verification in some cases, speaking with neighbors or co‑workers to confirm an applicant’s activities and community ties.
• Social media review: Online posts and behavior judged to show “anti‑American” intentions can be examined as part of the overall eligibility review.
• Denaturalization focus: The Department of Justice is increasing efforts to revoke citizenship in cases of fraud or misrepresentation, including issues tied to tax compliance and concealed criminal conduct.

The agency notes these steps are part of a multi‑phase plan, with more changes possible in the months ahead. That prospect has raised concerns among attorneys and community groups about planning uncertainty for applicants who already face long waits and limited legal help.

Impact on Applicants

Filing Deadline and Immediate Actions

• Anyone who wishes to take the current test must submit the Form N-400 before October 20, 2025.
• After that date, applicants will face a larger study load and a higher passing requirement.
• For many green card holders, especially those juggling work and family, this means starting civics preparation earlier and studying more steadily.

Real‑World Examples

• A 72‑year‑old permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for 25 years can still rely on the 65/20 list and take the civics test in her own language—no change there.
• A 45‑year‑old factory supervisor with limited time will need to prepare for 128 questions rather than 100, and expect 20 questions during the interview instead of 10. That added scope often shifts study routines from quick reviews to months‑long schedules with flashcards, practice interviews, and group study.

Test Day Tips

• The civics portion is oral; applicants should practice speaking clearly and answering in full sentences when possible.
• Nervousness can cause even well‑prepared candidates to miss simple questions. Community classes, mock interviews, and repeated practice often help reduce stress.
• If you fail the civics portion at the first interview, USCIS will schedule a retest, usually within a few months. Use that time to focus on weak areas with live practice.

Documentation and Background Concerns

Advocacy groups warn that stricter good moral character checks may complicate borderline cases. Issues that can cause delays include:

• Missed tax filings
• Old misdemeanors
• Undisclosed past immigration violations

Neighborhood checks might also make some immigrants uneasy, particularly those who fear bias or live in tense communities.

USCIS emphasizes the goal of a fair, consistent process. Still, the agency’s new direction signals that small issues — once overlooked — could now delay or block a case. For many applicants, building a clean paper trail before filing will help:

• Up‑to‑date tax returns
• Proof of child support if required
• Court records showing resolved matters
• Evidence of community service or steady work

Expected Short‑ and Long‑Term Effects

• Legal scholars expect a short‑term dip in approval rates as applicants adjust to the new civics test and stricter reviews.
• Over time, pass rates may stabilize as study programs expand and community groups tailor lessons to the 128‑question pool.
• The initial learning curve could be steep in the first months after rollout, prompting expanded offerings from community legal clinics, libraries, and adult schools.

USCIS plans to release full study materials before the effective date and encourages applicants to use official resources — audio files, flashcards, and lesson plans — and to monitor updates that clarify interview procedures.

One official resource to monitor is USCIS’s test update page at https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources/check-for-test-updates, which will post fresh guidance and any technical corrections.

Practical Steps to Prepare

Applicants aiming to file soon should consider these actions:

1. Create a study schedule that covers the 128 questions well ahead of the interview.
2. Pay extra attention to new topics like the 10th Amendment and the Federalist Papers.
3. Keep records that reflect good moral character: tax transcripts, court dispositions, and proof of compliance with legal orders.
4. Review your online footprint and consider how public posts might be viewed by an officer.
5. If eligible, claim the 65/20 exemption and focus on the shortened list.

Applicants should also plan for the retest: if you don’t pass the civics portion at the first interview, use the intervening months to target weak spots and practice live questioning.

For official filing information, including eligibility, fees, and submission methods, see the USCIS page for Form N-400.

Broader Context and Final Takeaways

Political context continues to shape the debate. Supporters of the 2025 civics test argue that citizenship should reflect a firm grasp of U.S. history and government. The Biden administration reversed the 2020 test in 2021 citing fairness concerns, but USCIS now says the updated approach better meets its program goals. This reflects long‑running differences over how strict naturalization should be and how to measure civic readiness without shutting out deserving candidates.

Processing timelines remain a concern. Even without policy changes, naturalization can take many months from filing to oath. Added scrutiny may stretch some cases further, especially those that trigger extra questions.

For many immigrants, citizenship is about more than a test score — it’s the chance to vote, hold certain jobs, and anchor their families’ futures in the United States 🇺🇸. The tougher civics test and stricter review will demand more work, but with early planning and community support, many applicants will still succeed.

As October 20 approaches, the landscape is clear: higher standards on the civics test, closer checks on background and conduct, and a premium on preparation. For green card holders ready to move forward, the message is simple — start early, study broadly, and keep your record clean.