New Naturalization Civics Test, Effective 10/20/25

The U.S. government has announced significant changes to the naturalization civics test, which will make the test longer and more difficult for applicants seeking U.S. citizenship. These changes will take effect for anyone filing their N-400 on or after October 20, 2025. 

This update represents the most substantial overhaul of the test in years and marks the return of a format first introduced in 2020, which was later discontinued. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the 2025 version will consist of 20 questions drawn from a wider pool and will require more correct answers to pass. 

Here are some key things to know about the new test: 

• There are no changes to the English language parts of the exam. 
• Many questions are different from the current (2008) test version, and the number of questions has been increased from 100 to 128. View the list of 128 questions and an updated study guide from USCIS. 
• During the test, the USCIS officer will ask applicants up to 20 questions, and the applicant must answer 12 correctly (an increase from 10 questions and six correct answers). 
• Officers will only be required to ask questions until the applicant either passes or fails the test, so if the 12 questions are answered correctly, the officer will stop administering the test. If the applicant answers nine questions incorrectly, thus failing the test, the officer will stop administering the test. 
• The 65/20 rule still applies. Applicants who are 65 years or older and have had their green cards for 20 years or more only need to study a list of 20 questions. They will be asked up to 10 questions and must answer six correctly. 

The naturalization process is a crucial step for immigrants seeking to become U.S. citizens, and this change will likely make it more challenging for many applicants. The New Americans Campaign and its partners are monitoring the rollout and continue to provide support to individuals seeking support on their naturalization journey.  

To find local support with the naturalization process, please visit: https://www.newamericanscampaign.org/find-local-help/. 

For further support and to review the questions in different languages, visit USA Hello: https://usahello.org/citizenship/prepare/citizenship-test-questions/