2025 vs 2008 Civics Test: What Changed and Which One You Take

Short answer: if you filed your Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test: 128 study questions, the officer asks up to 20, and you need 12 correct. If you filed before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 test: 100 study questions, up to 10 asked, and you need 6 correct.

Side by side

Questions to study: 2025 test 128 · 2008 test 100
Questions asked: up to 20 · up to 10
Needed to pass: 12 correct · 6 correct
Early stop (2025): the test can end at 12 correct or 9 incorrect
Format: both are oral — the officer reads the question and you answer out loud

How to know which test applies to you

Look at the date USCIS received your N-400. It is shown on the receipt notice you got after filing. Received on or after October 20, 2025 means the 2025 test; earlier means the 2008 test. If you are not sure, studying the 2025 list does not hurt: many questions are the same or very similar.

The 65/20 special consideration

If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more, you study only the 20 questions marked with an asterisk. The officer asks 10 of them and you need 6 correct, and you may take the civics test in the language of your choice.

Answers that change

Some answers depend on elections or where you live: the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, your senators, your representative, your governor and your state capital. Answer with the person serving on the day of your interview, and check the USCIS test updates page shortly before you go.

Practicing the right way

Because the test is oral, practice saying the answer before you look at it. Civikin's mock interview follows the 2025 rules — up to 20 questions, pass at 12, stop at 9 wrong — and switches to the 2008 or 65/20 rules if you choose those tests. Civikin is not affiliated with USCIS.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 civics test harder?

It has more questions to study (128 instead of 100) and you must answer more correctly (12 instead of 6). The format is the same: an oral test where the officer asks and you answer out loud.

Does the test stop early?

On the 2025 test the officer can stop once you have 12 correct answers (pass) or 9 incorrect answers (fail).

What if I am 65 or older?

If you are 65+ and have been a permanent resident for 20+ years, you study only the 20 marked questions. The officer asks 10 of them and you need 6 correct. You may also take the civics test in the language of your choice.

Official source: USCIS civics test study materials. Civikin is not affiliated with USCIS.

← See Civikin: your state's answers, audio and a mock interview based on the 2025 test rules