The Naturalization Test

Overview of Requirements and 

Available Resources

M-685 (rev. 09/14)

Prepare for the Naturalization Test

What should I expect at my naturalization 

eligibility interview? 

Once you have completed and submitted your Form N-400, 

Application for Naturalization, and 

you have had your fingerprints 

taken at a USCIS facility, you will 

receive an appointment notice 

for an interview. 

At your naturalization interview, 

you will be required to answer 

questions about your application 

and background. A USCIS Officer 

will test your ability to read, 

write, speak, and understand 

English (unless you are exempt 

from the English requirements). 

You will also be given a civics 

test in English to test your 

knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government. 

You will be given two opportunities to take the English and 

civics tests and to answer all questions relating to your Form 

N-400, Application for Naturalization, in English. If you fail any of the 

tests during your initial interview, you will be retested on the 

portion of the test that you failed (English or civics) between 60 

and 90 days from the date of your initial interview. 

Applicants who are age 65 or older and have been a permanent 

resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing Form N-400, 

Application for Naturalization, are only required to study 20 of the 100 

civics test questions for the naturalization test. These questions 

are flagged with an asterisk (*) in this brochure. 

For information on exceptions or modifications to the English 

and civics requirements for naturalization, see “Exceptions and 

Accommodations” available at www.uscis.gov/citizenship. 

Study Materials for the Naturalization Test

What study materials are available and how 

can I find English language, civics, and/or 

citizenship classes?

The USCIS Office of Citizenship has developed a variety of 

study materials for the naturalization test. These materials 

include Civics Flash Cards, Vocabulary Flash Cards, Learn About 

the United States: Quick Civics Lessons, The USCIS Naturalization Interview 

and Test video, and translated versions of the 100 civics (history 

and government) questions and answers. All materials are 

available on the Citizenship Resource Center at www.uscis.gov/

citizenship.

• Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons with 

Audio CD

As you prepare for U.S. citizenship, this booklet will help you 

study for the civics and English portions of the naturalization 

test. Learn About the United States contains short lessons based on 

each of the 100 civics (history and government) questions 

and answers. 

• Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test

Another option to help you study is the Civics Flash Cards. 

With historical photos and informative captions, the Civics 

Flash Cards cover each of the 100 civics (history and 

government) questions and answers. 

• Vocabulary Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test

These easy-to-use flash cards contain vocabulary words to 

help you study for the English reading and writing portions 

of the naturalization test. 

• The USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test (DVD)

This 16-minute video provides an overview of the 

naturalization process including eligibility requirements, 

the application process, the naturalization interview, and 

the naturalization test. The video includes two simulated 

interviews between applicants and USCIS Officers. 

Other Helpful USCIS Resources

USCIS offers a number of resources 

to help you find information on 

eligibility and testing requirements, 

the application process, and study 

materials. You can also learn 

more about citizenship rights and 

responsibilities and find a free 

information session in your area.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

The government agency that oversees lawful immigration to 

the United States. Visit this website for information related to 

immigration. 

www.uscis.gov

Citizenship Resource Center

Provides learners, teachers, and organizations with a one-stop 

resource for locating citizenship preparation materials.

www.uscis.gov/citizenship

A Guide to Naturalization

Offers a comprehensive overview of the naturalization 

application and interview process.

www.uscis.gov/natzguide

Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

Use this form to apply for U.S. citizenship.

www.uscis.gov/n-400

Naturalization Information Sessions

USCIS regularly holds free information sessions for the public 

on naturalization eligibility requirements, the naturalization 

process, and the naturalization test. Find a session in your area:

www.uscis.gov/citizenshipsessions

Pathway to U.S. Citizenship

For an adult immigrant to become a 

U.S. citizen, he or she must go through 

the process of naturalization. GENERAL 

requirements for naturalization call 

for the immigrant to:

Be at least 18 years old at the time 

 of ling the 

Be a lawfully admitted permanent 

 resident of the United States

At the time of ling the 

 application, have been a 

 permanent resident in the 

 United States for at least 

 5 years (or for at least

 3 years if you meet all 

 eligibility requirements 

 to le as a spouse of a 

 United States citizen)

 Have demonstrated 

 continuous permanent 

residence

 Have demonstrated 

physical presence

Have lived within the State or 

USCIS District for at least 

3 months prior to ling

Have demonstrated 

 good moral character

Demonstrate an attachment 

to the principles and ideals of 

 the U.S. Constitution 

 Demonstrate an ability to 

 read, write, speak, and 

understand basic English 

Demonstrate a basic knowledge 

 of U.S. history, government, 

 and civic principles 

Take an oath of 

allegiance to the 

United States

Receive a 

Certicate of Naturalization

H Download Form N-400: www.uscis.gov/n-400

H USCIS Forms Line: 1 800 870 3676

H USCIS Customer Service: 1 800 375 5283

H Learn more about specific eligibility requirements 

for naturalization: www.uscis.gov/citizenship
Components of the Naturalization 

Test

Civics Test

Oral 

Test

Reading

Test

Writing

Test

Integrated Civics American Government Reading Vocabular

y Writing Vocabular

y

English Test

American Histor

y

If you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study only the questions that have been mar

ked 

with an asterisk.

*

Speaking

An applicant will be asked up to 

10 questions from the list below. 

Applicants must answer correctly 

six of the 10 questions to pass 

the civics test.

Each writing test administered to an applicant contains no more than 3 sentences. Applicants must write 1 out of 3 sentences correctly in order to demonstrate an ability to write in English. To help applicants prepare, USCIS provides a writing vocabulary list containing all the words found in the English writing portion of the test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.

An applicant’s ability to speak English will bedetermined by the USCIS Ofcer from the applicant’s answers to questions normally asked during the eligibility interview on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

 Naturalization Test

Each reading test administered to an applicant contains no more than 3 sentences. Applicants must read 1 out of 3 sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English. To help applicants prepare, USCIS provides a reading vocabulary list containing all the words found in the English reading portion of the test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.

 Who is the Chief Justice of the United States 

now?

 Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the 

federal government. What is one power of the 

federal government?

 Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the 

states. What is one power of the states? 

 Who is the Governor of your state now? What is the capital of your state?* What are the two major political parties 

in the United States?*

 What is the political party of the President now? What is the name of the Speaker of the House of 

Representatives now?

C: Rights and Responsibilities There are four amendments to the Constitution 

about who can vote. Describe one of them.

 What is one responsibility that is only for 

United States citizens?*

 Name one right only for United States citizens.

 What are two rights of everyone living in the 

United States?

 What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge 

of Allegiance?

 What is one promise you make when you become a 

United States citizen?

 How old do citizens have to be to vote for 

President?*

 What are two ways that Americans can participate 

in their democracy?

 When is the last day you can send in federal 

income tax forms?*

 When must all men register for the 

Selective Service?

A: Geography Name one of the two longest rivers in the 

United States.

 What ocean is on the West Coast 

of the United States?

 What ocean is on the East Coast 

of the United States?

 Name one U.S. territory.

 Name one state that borders Canada.  Name one state that borders Mexico. What is the capital of the United States?* Where is the Statue of Liberty?*B: Symbols Why does the ag have 13 stripes?  Why does the ag have 50 stars?* What is the name of the national anthem?C: Holidays When do we celebrate Independence Day?* Name two national U.S. holidays.

PEOPLE Abraham 

Lincoln

 George

Washington

CIVICS

 American ag Bill of Rights capital citizen city Congress country Father of Our 

Country

 government President right Senators state/states White House

PLACES

 America United State

s

 U.S.

HOLIDAYS

 Presidents’ 

Day

 Memorial Day Flag Day Independence

Day

 Labor Day Columbus Day Thanksgiving

QUESTION WORDS

 How What When Where Who Why

VERBS

 can come do/does elects have/has is/are/was/be lives/lived meet name pay vote want

OTHER (FUNCTION)

 a for here in of on the to we

OTHER (CONTENT)

 colors dollar bill rst largest many most north one people second south

PEOPLE 

 Adams Lincoln Washington

CIVICS

 American 

Indians

 capital citizens Civil War Congress Father of 

Our Country

 ag free freedom of 

speech

 President right Senators state/states White House

PLACES

 Alaska California Canada Delaware Mexico New York 

City

 United States Washington Washington,

D.C.

MONTHS

 February May June July September October November

HOLIDAYS

 Presidents’ 

Day

 Memorial Day Flag Day Independence 

Day

 Labor Day Columbus Day Thanksgiving

VERBS

 can come elect have/has is/was/be lives/lived meets pay vote want

OTHER (FUNCTION)

 and during for here in of on the to we

OTHER (CONTENT)

 blue dollar bill fty/50 rst largest most north one one 

hundred/100

 people red second south taxes white

A: Principles of American Democracy What is the supreme law of the land? What does the Constitution do? The idea of self-government is in the rst 

three words of the Constitution. What are these words? 

 What is an amendment? What do we call the rst ten amendments 

to the Constitution?

 What is one right or freedom from 

the First Amendment?* 

 How many amendments does 

the Constitution have?

 What did the Declaration of Independence do? What are two rights in the Declaration 

of Independence?

 What is freedom of religion? What is the economic system 

in the United States?*

 What is the “rule of law”?B: System of Government Name one branch or part of the government.*

 What stops one branch of government 

from becoming too powerful?

 Who is in charge of the executive branch? Who makes federal laws? What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*

 How many U.S. Senators are there? We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?  Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators 

now?* 

 The House of Representatives has how many 

voting members? 

 We elect a U.S. Representative for how 

many years?

 Name your U.S. Representative. Who does a U.S. Senator represent? Why do some states have more 

Representatives than other states?

 We elect a President for how many years? In what month do we vote for President?* What is the name of the President of the United 

States now?*

 What is the name of the Vice President of the 

United States now?

 If the President can no longer serve, who 

becomes President?

 If both the President and the Vice President can 

no longer serve, who becomes President?

 Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? Who signs bills to become laws? Who vetoes bills? What does the President’s Cabinet do?  What are two Cabinet-level positions? 

 What does the judicial branch do?  What is the highest court in the United States? How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

A: Colonial Period and Independence What is one reason colonists came 

to America?

 Who lived in America before the 

Europeans arrived?

 What group of people was taken 

to America and sold as slaves?

 Why did the colonists ght the British? Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? When was the Declaration of Independence 

adopted?

 There were 13 original states. Name three. What happened at the Constitutional 

Convention? 

 When was the Constitution written? The Federalist Papers supported the passage 

of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

 What is one thing Benjamin Franklin 

is famous for?

 Who is the "Father of Our Country"? Who was the rst President?*B: 1800s What territory did the United States buy from 

France in 1803?

 Name one war fought by the United States in 

the 1800s. 

 Name the U.S. war between the North 

and the South. 

 Name one problem that led to the Civil War. What was one important thing that Abraham 

Lincoln did?*

 What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? What did Susan B. Anthony do?C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information Name one war fought by the United States in 

the 1900s.*

 Who was President during World War I? Who was President during the Great 

Depression and World War II? 

 Who did the United States ght 

in World War II? 

 Before he was President, Eisenhower was a 

general. What war was he in?

 During the Cold War, what was the main 

concern of the United States?

 What movement tried to end racial 

discrimination?

 What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?* What major event happened on September 11, 

2001, in the United States?

 Name one American Indian tribe in the United 

States.