U.S. Citizenship Test Guide: Civics, Reading, and Writing

During the naturalization interview, a USCIS officer administers tests of English ability and civics knowledge to most applicants for U.S. citizenship. The test has three parts most applicants must address: a civics test (U.S. history and government), an English reading test, and an English writing test. (Speaking ability is assessed throughout the interview.)

The civics test is given orally. The officer asks questions from an official published list covering American government, history, and geography, and the applicant answers aloud. The questions and acceptable answers are published by USCIS, so you can study the actual content. Applicants must answer a set number correctly to pass.

For the reading test, the officer shows sentences and the applicant must read one aloud correctly. For the writing test, the officer dictates a sentence and the applicant writes it. Both tests draw from published vocabulary lists (people, civics terms, places, holidays, months, question words, and verbs). Applicants generally must succeed on one of up to three attempts for each, and minor errors that do not obscure meaning are typically acceptable.

Applicants who are 65 or older and have been lawful permanent residents for 20 or more years may qualify to study a reduced set of civics questions (commonly known as the 65/20 list) and may take the civics test in their language of choice. There are also disability exceptions. Confirm current eligibility rules with USCIS, as test versions and rules can change.

Because the civics questions and the reading and writing vocabulary are officially published, the most efficient preparation is to study those exact materials. Practice answering the civics questions aloud, practice reading the vocabulary in simple sentences, and practice writing dictated sentences, focusing on commonly misspelled words. Free practice questions that mirror the official content are an effective way to prepare.