2025 Civics Test: All 128 Questions and Answers

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2025 Civics Test practice quiz

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    All 128 civics test questions and answers

    These are the official USCIS questions and answers for the 2025 test. Tap a question to see every accepted answer. Questions marked 65/20 are the 20 starred questions for older long-time green card holders.

    American Government

    Principles of American Government

    1. What is the form of government of the United States?
    • Republic
    • Constitution-based federal republic
    • Representative democracy
    2. What is the supreme law of the land? 65/20
    • (U.S.) Constitution
    3. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
    • Forms the government
    • Defines powers of government
    • Defines the parts of government
    • Protects the rights of the people
    4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
    • Self-government
    • Popular sovereignty
    • Consent of the governed
    • People should govern themselves
    • (Example of) social contract
    5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
    • Amendments
    • The amendment process
    6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?
    • (The basic) rights of Americans
    • (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
    7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? 65/20
    • Twenty-seven (27)
    8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
    • It says America is free from British control.
    • It says all people are created equal.
    • It identifies inherent rights.
    • It identifies individual freedoms.
    9. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
    • Declaration of Independence
    10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
    • Equality
    • Liberty
    • Social contract
    • Natural rights
    • Limited government
    • Self-government
    11. The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
    • Declaration of Independence
    12. What is the economic system of the United States? 65/20
    • Capitalism
    • Free market economy
    13. What is the rule of law?
    • Everyone must follow the law.
    • Leaders must obey the law.
    • Government must obey the law.
    • No one is above the law.
    14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
    • Declaration of Independence
    • Articles of Confederation
    • Federalist Papers
    • Anti-Federalist Papers
    • Virginia Declaration of Rights
    • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
    • Mayflower Compact
    • Iroquois Great Law of Peace
    15. There are three branches of government. Why?
    • So one part does not become too powerful
    • Checks and balances
    • Separation of powers

    System of Government

    16. Name the three branches of government.
    • Legislative, executive, and judicial
    • Congress, president, and the courts
    17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
    • Executive branch
    18. What part of the federal government writes laws?
    • (U.S.) Congress
    • (U.S. or national) legislature
    • Legislative branch
    19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
    • Senate and House (of Representatives)
    20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress. 65/20
    • Writes laws
    • Declares war
    • Makes the federal budget
    21. How many U.S. senators are there?
    • One hundred (100)
    22. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
    • Six (6) years
    23. Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?
    • Answers vary by where you live. Find your senators at senate.gov
    • 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.
    24. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
    • Four hundred thirty-five (435)
    25. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
    • Two (2) years
    26. Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
    • To more closely follow public opinion
    27. How many senators does each state have?
    • Two (2)
    28. Why does each state have two senators?
    • Equal representation (for small states)
    • The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
    29. Name your U.S. representative.
    • Answers vary by where you live. Find your representative at house.gov
    • 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.
    30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? 65/20
    • Mike Johnson
    • Johnson
    • Current as of October 20, 2026. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.
    31. Who does a U.S. senator represent?
    • Citizens of their state
    • People of their state
    32. Who elects U.S. senators?
    • Citizens from their state
    33. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
    • Citizens in their (congressional) district
    • Citizens in their district
    • People from their (congressional) district
    • People in their district
    34. Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
    • Citizens from their (congressional) district
    35. Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
    • (Because of) the state’s population
    • (Because) they have more people
    • (Because) some states have more people
    36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years? 65/20
    • Four (4) years
    37. The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
    • (Because of) the 22nd Amendment
    • To keep the president from becoming too powerful
    38. What is the name of the President of the United States now? 65/20
    • Donald J. Trump
    • Donald Trump
    • Trump
    • Current as of October 20, 2026. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.
    39. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? 65/20
    • JD Vance
    • Vance
    • Current as of October 20, 2026. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.
    40. If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
    • The Vice President (of the United States)
    41. Name one power of the president.
    • Signs bills into law
    • Vetoes bills
    • Enforces laws
    • Commander in Chief (of the military)
    • Chief diplomat
    • Appoints federal judges
    42. Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
    • The President (of the United States)
    43. Who signs bills to become laws?
    • The President (of the United States)
    44. Who vetoes bills? 65/20
    • The President (of the United States)
    45. Who appoints federal judges?
    • The President (of the United States)
    46. The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
    • President (of the United States)
    • Cabinet
    • Federal departments and agencies
    47. What does the President’s Cabinet do?
    • Advises the President (of the United States)
    48. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
    • Attorney General
    • Secretary of Agriculture
    • Secretary of Commerce
    • Secretary of Education
    • Secretary of Energy
    • Secretary of Health and Human Services
    • Secretary of Homeland Security
    • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
    • Secretary of the Interior
    • Secretary of Labor
    • Secretary of State
    • Secretary of Transportation
    • Secretary of the Treasury
    • Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    • Secretary of War (Defense)
    • Vice-President
    • Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
    • Administrator of the Small Business Administration
    • Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
    • Director of the Office of Management and Budget
    • Director of National Intelligence
    • United States Trade Representative
    49. Why is the Electoral College important?
    • It decides who is elected president.
    • It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
    50. What is one part of the judicial branch?
    • Supreme Court
    • Federal Courts
    51. What does the judicial branch do?
    • Reviews laws
    • Explains laws
    • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
    • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution
    52. What is the highest court in the United States? 65/20
    • Supreme Court
    53. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
    • Nine (9)
    54. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
    • Five (5)
    55. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
    • (For) life
    • Lifetime appointment
    • (Until) retirement
    56. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
    • To be independent (of politics)
    • To limit outside (political) influence
    57. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
    • John Roberts
    • John G. Roberts, Jr.
    • Roberts
    • Current as of October 20, 2026. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.
    58. Name one power that is only for the federal government.
    • Print paper money
    • Mint coins
    • Declare war
    • Create an army
    • Make treaties
    • Set foreign policy
    59. Name one power that is only for the states.
    • Provide schooling and education
    • Provide protection (police)
    • Provide safety (fire departments)
    • Give a driver’s license
    • Approve zoning and land use
    60. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
    • (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
    61. Who is the governor of your state now? 65/20
    62. What is the capital of your state?
    • Answers vary by where you live. Find your state capital at usa.gov
    • 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.

    Rights and Responsibilities

    63. There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
    • Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
    • You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
    • Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
    • A male citizen of any race (can vote).
    64. Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
    • Citizens
    • Citizens of the United States
    • U.S. citizens
    65. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?
    • Freedom of expression
    • Freedom of speech
    • Freedom of assembly
    • Freedom to petition the government
    • Freedom of religion
    • The right to bear arms
    66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? 65/20
    • The United States
    • The flag
    67. Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
    • Give up loyalty to other countries
    • Defend the (U.S.) Constitution
    • Obey the laws of the United States
    • Serve in the military (if needed)
    • Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed)
    • Be loyal to the United States
    68. How can people become United States citizens?
    • Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
    • Naturalize
    • Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)
    69. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
    • Vote
    • Run for office
    • Join a political party
    • Help with a campaign
    • Join a civic group
    • Join a community group
    • Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue)
    • Contact elected officials
    • Support or oppose an issue or policy
    • Write to a newspaper
    70. What is one way Americans can serve their country?
    • Vote
    • Pay taxes
    • Obey the law
    • Serve in the military
    • Run for office
    • Work for local, state, or federal government
    71. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
    • Required by law
    • All people pay to fund the federal government
    • Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)
    • Civic duty
    72. It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
    • Required by law
    • Civic duty
    • Makes the draft fair, if needed
    American History

    Colonial Period and Independence

    73. The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
    • Freedom
    • Political liberty
    • Religious freedom
    • Economic opportunity
    • Escape persecution
    74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? 65/20
    • American Indians
    • Native Americans
    75. What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
    • Africans
    • People from Africa
    76. What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
    • American Revolution
    • The (American) Revolutionary War
    • War for (American) Independence
    77. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
    • High taxes
    • Taxation without representation
    • British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering)
    • They did not have self-government
    • Boston Massacre
    • Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)
    • Stamp Act
    • Sugar Act
    • Townshend Acts
    • Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
    78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? 65/20
    • (Thomas) Jefferson
    79. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
    • July 4, 1776
    80. The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
    • (Battle of) Bunker Hill
    • Declaration of Independence
    • Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)
    • (Battle of) Saratoga
    • Valley Forge (Encampment)
    • (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown)
    81. There were 13 original states. Name five.
    • New Hampshire
    • Massachusetts
    • Rhode Island
    • Connecticut
    • New York
    • New Jersey
    • Pennsylvania
    • Delaware
    • Maryland
    • Virginia
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Georgia
    82. What founding document was written in 1787?
    • (U.S.) Constitution
    83. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
    • (James) Madison
    • (Alexander) Hamilton
    • (John) Jay
    • Publius
    84. Why were the Federalist Papers important?
    • They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution.
    • They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.
    85. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
    • Founded the first free public libraries
    • First Postmaster General of the United States
    • Helped write the Declaration of Independence
    • Inventor
    • U.S. diplomat
    86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20
    • “Father of Our Country”
    • First president of the United States
    • General of the Continental Army
    • President of the Constitutional Convention
    87. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
    • Writer of the Declaration of Independence
    • Third president of the United States
    • Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase)
    • First Secretary of State
    • Founded the University of Virginia
    • Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom
    88. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
    • “Father of the Constitution”
    • Fourth president of the United States
    • President during the War of 1812
    • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
    89. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
    • First Secretary of the Treasury
    • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
    • Helped establish the First Bank of the United States
    • Aide to General George Washington
    • Member of the Continental Congress

    1800s

    90. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
    • Louisiana Territory
    • Louisiana
    91. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
    • War of 1812
    • Mexican-American War
    • Civil War
    • Spanish-American War
    92. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
    • The Civil War
    93. The Civil War had many important events. Name one.
    • (Battle of) Fort Sumter
    • Emancipation Proclamation
    • (Battle of) Vicksburg
    • (Battle of) Gettysburg
    • Sherman’s March
    • (Surrender at) Appomattox
    • (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg
    • Lincoln was assassinated.
    94. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20
    • Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
    • Saved (or preserved) the Union
    • Led the United States during the Civil War
    • 16th president of the United States
    • Delivered the Gettysburg Address
    95. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
    • Freed the slaves
    • Freed slaves in the Confederacy
    • Freed slaves in the Confederate states
    • Freed slaves in most Southern states
    96. What U.S. war ended slavery?
    • The Civil War
    97. What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?
    • 14th Amendment
    98. When did all men get the right to vote?
    • After the Civil War
    • During Reconstruction
    • (With the) 15th Amendment
    • 1870
    99. Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.
    • Susan B. Anthony
    • Elizabeth Cady Stanton
    • Sojourner Truth
    • Harriet Tubman
    • Lucretia Mott
    • Lucy Stone

    Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    100. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
    • World War I
    • World War II
    • Korean War
    • Vietnam War
    • (Persian) Gulf War
    101. Why did the United States enter World War I?
    • Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships
    • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia)
    • To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)
    102. When did all women get the right to vote?
    • 1920
    • After World War I
    • (With the) 19th Amendment
    103. What was the Great Depression?
    • Longest economic recession in modern history
    104. When did the Great Depression start?
    • The Great Crash (1929)
    • Stock market crash of 1929
    105. Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
    • (Franklin) Roosevelt
    106. Why did the United States enter World War II?
    • (Bombing of) Pearl Harbor
    • Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
    • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia)
    • To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan)
    107. Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.
    • General during World War II
    • President at the end of (during) the Korean War
    • 34th president of the United States
    • Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System)
    108. Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War?
    • Soviet Union
    • USSR
    • Russia
    109. During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?
    • Communism
    • Nuclear war
    110. Why did the United States enter the Korean War?
    • To stop the spread of communism
    111. Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?
    • To stop the spread of communism
    112. What did the civil rights movement do?
    • Fought to end racial discrimination
    113. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20
    • Fought for civil rights
    • Worked for equality for all Americans
    • Worked to ensure that people would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”
    114. Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
    • To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
    115. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? 65/20
    • Terrorists attacked the United States
    • Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City
    • Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
    • Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania
    116. Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
    • (Global) War on Terror
    • War in Afghanistan
    • War in Iraq
    117. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
    • Apache
    • Blackfeet
    • Cayuga
    • Cherokee
    • Cheyenne
    • Chippewa
    • Choctaw
    • Creek
    • Crow
    • Hopi
    • Huron
    • Inupiat
    • Lakota
    • Mohawk
    • Mohegan
    • Navajo
    • Oneida
    • Onondaga
    • Pueblo
    • Seminole
    • Seneca
    • Shawnee
    • Sioux
    • Teton
    • Tuscarora
    • For a complete list of tribes, please visit bia.gov.
    118. Name one example of an American innovation.
    • Light bulb
    • Automobile (cars, internal combustion engine)
    • Skyscrapers
    • Airplane
    • Assembly line
    • Landing on the moon
    • Integrated circuit (IC)
    Symbols and Holidays

    Symbols

    119. What is the capital of the United States?
    • Washington, D.C.
    120. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
    • New York (Harbor)
    • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
    121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? 65/20
    • (Because there were) 13 original colonies
    • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
    122. Why does the flag have 50 stars?
    • (Because there is) one star for each state
    • (Because) each star represents a state
    • (Because there are) 50 states
    123. What is the name of the national anthem?
    • The Star-Spangled Banner
    124. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
    • Out of many, one
    • We all become one

    Holidays

    125. What is Independence Day?
    • A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
    • The country’s birthday
    126. Name three national U.S. holidays. 65/20
    • New Year’s Day
    • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    • Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
    • Memorial Day
    • Juneteenth
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Columbus Day
    • Veterans Day
    • Thanksgiving Day
    • Christmas Day
    127. What is Memorial Day?
    • A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
    128. What is Veterans Day?
    • A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
    • A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)
    No questions match. Try a different word or filter.

    How the civics test works at your interview

    The civics test is oral. The officer reads a question, and you answer out loud. It happens at your naturalization interview, together with the English test.

    • 2025 test: the officer asks up to 20 questions from the 128. You pass with 12 right answers. The officer stops when you have 12 right or 9 wrong.
    • 65/20 version: the officer asks 10 questions from the 20 starred ones. You pass with 6 right answers.
    • 2008 test: 10 questions from a list of 100. You pass with 6 right answers.
    • If you are 50 or older with 20 years as a green card holder, or 55 or older with 15 years, you skip the English test. You still take the civics test, in your own language with an interpreter.

    Some answers change when people in office change. This applies to the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House and the Chief Justice. You must name the person in office on the day of your interview. Check the USCIS test updates page just before you go.

    If you do not pass, USCIS gives you a second chance 60 to 90 days later. You only retake the part you failed.

    Not sure when you can file? Use our N-400 early filing calculator. After your interview, read our N-652 result decoder.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which civics test will I take?
    It depends on when you filed Form N-400. If USCIS received it on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 test. If it was received before that date, you take the 2008 test.
    How many questions are on the 2025 civics test, and how many do I need to pass?
    The officer picks up to 20 questions from the 128 and asks them out loud. You need 12 right answers to pass. The officer stops when you reach 12 right answers or 9 wrong answers.
    What is the 65/20 rule?
    If you were 65 or older when you filed, and you have lived in the U.S. as a green card holder for 20 years or more in total, you study only the 20 questions marked with a star. The officer asks 10 of them, and you need 6 right. You may also take the civics test in your own language.
    What if the answer depends on where I live?
    Four questions ask for your senator, your representative, your governor and your state capital. Learn the answers for your own state. Residents of Washington, D.C. and U.S. territories have special answers, which are shown on the question.
    Do I have to give the exact words from the answer list?
    No. USCIS says an officer accepts the correct answer or another way of saying it. Still, it is safest to practice the answers as written.
    What happens if I fail the civics test?
    USCIS schedules a second interview 60 to 90 days after the first one. You are retested only on the part you failed, and the officer uses different questions.

    Sources