Preparing for the

Naturalization

Test

A Pocket Study Guide

M-1122 (02/16)

Preparing for the

Naturalization

Test

A Pocket Study Guide

1

Preparing for the Naturalization Test

A Pocket Study Guide 

Are you thinking about applying for 

naturalization?

This pocket study guide will help you prepare 

for the naturalization test. If you were not 

born in the United States, naturalization is the 

way that you can voluntarily become a U.S. 

citizen. To become a naturalized U.S. citizen, 

you must pass the naturalization test. We’ve 

provided you with the civics test questions 

and answers, and the reading and writing 

vocabulary to help you study. 

Additionally, this guide contains general 

information on naturalization eligibility 

requirements on page 2.

To learn about and study for the civics portion 

of the naturalization test, turn to page 5.

To learn about and study for the English 

portion of the naturalization test, turn to

page 27.

You can find more resources to help you 

prepare in the back of the study guide on 

page 36.
2

General Eligibility Requirements

Before you apply for naturalization, you must 

meet a few requirements. Depending on your 

situation, different requirements may apply to 

you. Below is a list of the general eligibility 

requirements.

★ Be at least 18 years old at the time 

you file Form N-400, Application for 

Naturalization.

★ Be a permanent resident (have a “Green 

Card”) for at least five years.

★ Show that you have lived for at least three 

months in the state or USCIS district 

where you apply. 

★ Demonstrate continuous residence in 

the United States for at least five years 

immediately preceding the date of filing 

Form N-400. 

★ Show that you have been physically 

present in the United States for at least 30 

months out of the five years immediately 

preceding the date of filing Form N-400. 

★ Be able to read, write, and speak basic 

English. 

★ Have a basic understanding of U.S. history 

and government (civics). 

★ Be a person of good moral character. 

★ Demonstrate an attachment to the 

principles and ideals of the U.S. 

Constitution.
3

For more information, visit A Guide to 

Naturalization at www.uscis.gov/natzguide.

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

Citizenship offers many benefits and equally 

important responsibilities. When you 

naturalize, you agree to accept all of the 

responsibilities of becoming a U.S. citizen. 

You agree to support the United States, its 

Constitution, and its laws. In return, you gain 

all the rights and privileges of citizenship 

such as the right to vote and travel with a U.S. 

passport. 

The Naturalization Test

During your naturalization interview, a USCIS 

officer will ask you questions about your 

application and background. You will also take 

an English and civics test unless you qualify 

for an exemption or waiver. 

English Test

The English test has three components: 

reading, writing, and speaking. For the reading 

test, you must read one out of three sentences 

correctly to demonstrate an ability to read 

in English. There is a reading vocabulary list 

on page 28 with all the words found in the 

English reading portion of the naturalization 

test. 

For the writing test, you must write one out 

of three sentences correctly to demonstrate an 

ability to write in English. There is a writing 
4

vocabulary list on page 31 with all the words 

found in the English writing portion of the 

naturalization test. 

Your ability to speak English is determined 

by the USCIS officer based on your answers 

to questions normally asked during the 

naturalization interview.

Civics Test

The civics test covers important U.S. history 

and government topics. There are 100 civics 

questions on the naturalization test. During 

your naturalization interview, you will be 

asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 

questions. You must answer correctly 6 of the 

10 questions to pass the civics test.

Retaking the Naturalization Test

You have two opportunities to take the English 

and civics tests per application. If you fail any 

portion of the test during your first interview, 

you will be retested on the portion of the test 

that you failed at a second interview. USCIS 

will schedule you to return to be retested 

between 60 and 90 days after the date of your 

initial interview.

Exceptions

Certain applicants, because of age and time 

as a permanent resident, are exempt from 

the English requirements for naturalization 

and may take the civics test in the language 

of their choice. For more information, visit 

www.uscis.gov/citizenship.
5

Study Materials

for the 

Civics Portion 

of the 

Naturalization Test



Civics (History and Government) 

Questions for the Naturalization Test

The 100 civics (history and government) 

questions and answers for the naturalization 

test are listed on the following pages. The 

civics test is an oral test and the USCIS officer 

will ask you up to 10 of the 100 civics 

questions. You must answer 6 out of 10 

questions correctly to pass the civics portion 

of the naturalization test. 

Some answers may change because of 

elections or appointments. As you study for 

the test, make sure that you know the most 

current answers to these questions. Answer 

these questions with the name of the official 

who is serving at the time of your eligibility 

interview with USCIS. The USCIS officer will 

not accept an incorrect answer.
6

Although USCIS is aware that there may be 

additional correct answers to the 100 civics 

questions, you are encouraged to respond 

to the civics questions using the answers 

provided in this pocket study guide. 

65/20 Civics Test Exemption

If you are 65 years old or older and have been 

a legal permanent resident of the United States 

for 20 or more years, you may study just the 

questions that have been marked with an 

asterisk (*).

American Government

A: Principles of American Democracy

1. What is the supreme law of the land?

★ the Constitution

2. What does the Constitution do?

★ sets up the government

★ defines the government

★ protects basic rights of Americans

3. The idea of self-government is in the first 

three words of the Constitution. What are 

these words?

★ We the People
7

4. What is an amendment?

★ a change (to the Constitution)

★ an addition (to the Constitution)

5. What do we call the first ten amendments 

to the Constitution?

★ the Bill of Rights

6. What is one right or freedom from the First 

Amendment?*

★ speech

★ religion

★ assembly

★ press

★ petition the government

7. How many amendments does the 

Constitution have?

★ twenty-seven (27)

8. What did the Declaration of Independence 

do?

★ announced our independence (from Great 

Britain)

★ declared our independence (from Great 

Britain)

★ said that the United States is free (from 

Great Britain)
8

9. What are two rights in the Declaration of 

Independence?

★ life

★ liberty

★ pursuit of happiness

10. What is freedom of religion?

★ You can practice any religion, or not practice 

a religion.

11. What is the economic system in the United 

States?*

★ capitalist economy

★ market economy

12. 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.

B: System of Government

13. Name one branch or part of the 

government.*

★ Congress

★ legislative

★ President

★ executive

★ the courts

★ judicial
9

14. What stops one branch of government from 

becoming too powerful?

★ checks and balances

★ separation of powers

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?

★ the President

16. Who makes federal laws?

★ Congress

★ Senate and House (of Representatives)

★ (U.S. or national) legislature

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. 

Congress?*

★ the Senate and House (of Representatives)

18. How many U.S. Senators are there?

★ one hundred (100)

19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

★ six (6)

20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators 

now?*

★ Answers will vary. [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.]
10

21. The House of Representatives has how many 

voting members?

★ four hundred thirty-five (435)

22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many 

years?

★ two (2)

23. Name your U.S. Representative.

★ Answers will vary. [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.]

24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

★ all people of the state

25. Why do some states have more 

Representatives than other states?

★ (because of) the state’s population

★ (because) they have more people

★ (because) some states have more people

26. We elect a President for how many years?

★ four (4)

27. In what month do we vote for President?*

★ November
11

28. What is the name of the President of the 

United States now?*

★ Barack Obama

★ Obama

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the 

United States now?

★ Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

★ Joe Biden

★ Biden

30. If the President can no longer serve, who 

becomes President?

★ the Vice President

31. If both the President and the Vice President 

can no longer serve, who becomes 

President?

★ the Speaker of the House

32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the 

military?

★ the President

33. Who signs bills to become laws?

★ the President

34. Who vetoes bills?

★ the President
12

35. What does the President’s Cabinet do?

★ advises the President

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

★ Secretary of Agriculture

★ Secretary of Commerce

★ Secretary of Defense

★ 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

★ Attorney General

★ Vice President

37. What does the judicial branch do?

★ reviews laws

★ explains laws

★ resolves disputes (disagreements)

★ decides if a law goes against the Constitution
13

38. What is the highest court in the United 

States?

★ the Supreme Court

39. How many justices are on the Supreme 

Court?

★ nine (9)

40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States 

now?

★ John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)

41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong 

to the federal government. What is one power 

of the federal government?

★ to print money

★ to declare war

★ to create an army

★ to make treaties

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong 

to the states. What is one power of the 

states?

★ provide schooling and education

★ provide protection (police)

★ provide safety (fire departments)

★ give a driver’s license

★ approve zoning and land use
14

43. Who is the Governor of your state now?

★ Answers will vary. [District of Columbia 

residents should answer that D.C. does not 

have a Governor.]

44. What is the capital of your state?*

★ Answers will vary. [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.]

45. What are the two major political parties 

in the United States?*

★ Democratic and Republican

46. What is the political party of the President 

now?

★ Democratic (Party)

47. What is the name of the Speaker of the 

House of Representatives now?

★ Paul D. Ryan

★ (Paul) Ryan
15

C: Rights and Responsibilities

48. There are four amendments to the 

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).

49. What is one responsibility that is only for 

United States citizens?*

★ serve on a jury

★ vote in a federal election

50. Name one right only for United States 

citizens.

★ vote in a federal election

★ run for federal office

51. What are two 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
16

52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the 

Pledge of Allegiance?

★ the United States

★ the flag

53. What is one promise you make when you 

become a United States citizen?

★ give up loyalty to other countries

★ defend the Constitution and laws of the 

United States

★ obey the laws of the United States

★ serve in the U.S. military (if needed)

★ serve (do important work for) the nation 

(if needed)

★ be loyal to the United States

54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for 

President?*

★ eighteen (18) and older

55. What are two ways that Americans can 

participate in their democracy?

★ vote

★ 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
17

★ call Senators and Representatives

★ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy

★ run for office

★ write to a newspaper

56. When is the last day you can send in federal 

income tax forms?*

★ April 15

57. When must all men register for the Selective 

Service?

★ at age eighteen (18)

★ between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)

American History

A: Colonial Period and Independence

58. What is one reason colonists came to 

America?

★ freedom

★ political liberty

★ religious freedom

★ economic opportunity

★ practice their religion

★ escape persecution

59. Who lived in America before the Europeans 

arrived?

★ American Indians

★ Native Americans
18

60. What group of people was taken to America 

and sold as slaves?

★ Africans

★ people from Africa

61. Why did the colonists fight the British?

★ because of high taxes (taxation without 

representation)

★ because the British army stayed in their 

houses (boarding, quartering)

★ because they didn’t have self-government

62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

★ (Thomas) Jefferson

63. When was the Declaration of Independence 

adopted?

★ July 4, 1776

64. There were 13 original states. Name three.

★ New Hampshire

★ Massachusetts

★ Rhode Island

★ Connecticut

★ New York

★ New Jersey

★ Pennsylvania

★ Delaware

★ Maryland
19

★ Virginia

★ North Carolina

★ South Carolina

★ Georgia

65. What happened at the Constitutional 

Convention?

★ The Constitution was written.

★ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.

66. When was the Constitution written?

★ 1787

67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage 

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

writers.

★ (James) Madison

★ (Alexander) Hamilton

★ (John) Jay

★ Publius

68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is 

famous for?

★ U.S. diplomat

★ oldest member of the Constitutional 

Convention

★ first Postmaster General of the United States

★ writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”

★ started the first free libraries
20

69. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?

★ (George) Washington

70. Who was the first President?*

★ (George) Washington

B: 1800s

71. What territory did the United States buy from 

France in 1803?

★ the Louisiana Territory

★ Louisiana

72. Name one war fought by the United States in 

the 1800s.

★ War of 1812

★ Mexican-American War

★ Civil War

★ Spanish-American War

73. Name the U.S. war between the North and 

the South.

★ the Civil War

★ the War between the States

74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

★ slavery

★ economic reasons

★ states’ rights
21

75. What was one important thing that Abraham 

Lincoln did?*

★ freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)

★ saved (or preserved) the Union

★ led the United States during the Civil War

76. 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

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

★ fought for women’s rights

★ fought for civil rights

C: Recent American History and Other 

Important Historical Information

78. Name one war fought by the United States in 

the 1900s.*

★ World War I

★ World War II

★ Korean War

★ Vietnam War

★ (Persian) Gulf War
22

79. Who was President during World War I?

★ (Woodrow) Wilson

80. Who was President during the Great 

Depression and World War II?

★ (Franklin) Roosevelt

81. Who did the United States fight in 

World War II?

★ Japan, Germany, and Italy

82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a 

general. What war was he in?

★ World War II

83. During the Cold War, what was the main 

concern of the United States?

★ Communism

84. What movement tried to end racial 

discrimination?

★ civil rights (movement)

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

★ fought for civil rights

★ worked for equality for all Americans

86. What major event happened on 

September 11, 2001, in the 

United States?

★ Terrorists attacked the United States.
23

87. Name one American Indian tribe in the 

United States.

[USCIS Officers will be supplied with a list of federally 

recognized American Indian tribes.]

★ Cherokee

★ Navajo

★ Sioux

★ Chippewa

★ Choctaw

★ Pueblo

★ Apache

★ Iroquois

★ Creek

★ Blackfeet

★ Seminole

★ Cheyenne

★ Arawak

★ Shawnee

★ Mohegan

★ Huron

★ Oneida

★ Lakota

★ Crow

★ Teton

★ Hopi

★ Inuit
24

INTEGRATED CIVICS

A: Geography

88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the 

United States.

★ Missouri (River)

★ Mississippi (River)

89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the 

United States?

★ Pacific (Ocean)

90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the 

United States?

★ Atlantic (Ocean)

91. Name one U.S. territory.

★ Puerto Rico

★ U.S. Virgin Islands

★ American Samoa

★ Northern Mariana Islands

★ Guam

92. Name one state that borders Canada.

★ Maine

★ New Hampshire

★ Vermont
25

★ New York

★ Pennsylvania

★ Ohio

★ Michigan

★ Minnesota

★ North Dakota

★ Montana

★ Idaho

★ Washington

★ Alaska

93. Name one state that borders Mexico.

★ California

★ Arizona

★ New Mexico

★ Texas

94. What is the capital of the United States?*

★ Washington, D.C.

95. 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).]
26

B: Symbols

96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

★ because there were 13 original colonies

★ because the stripes represent the original 

colonies

97. 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

98. What is the name of the national anthem?

★ The Star-Spangled Banner

C: Holidays

99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*

★ July 4

100.Name two national U.S. holidays.

★ New Year’s Day

★ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

★ Presidents’ Day

★ Memorial Day

★ Independence Day

★ Labor Day

★ Columbus Day

★ Veterans Day

★ Thanksgiving

★ Christmas
27

Study Materials

for the 

English Portion 

of the 

Naturalization Test



English Test

According to the law, an applicant must 

demonstrate “an understanding of the English 

language, including an ability to read, write, 

and speak...simple words and phrases...in 

ordinary usage in the English language.”

This means that you must be able to read, 

write, and speak basic English in order to be 

eligible for naturalization. You are required 

to pass each of the three components of the 

English test. 

Reading Portion

Each reading test administered to you will 

contain no more than three sentences. You 

must read one out of three sentences correctly 

to demonstrate an ability to read in English. 

To help you prepare, see the reading 

vocabulary list on page 28 containing all the 

words found in the English reading portion of 
28

the naturalization test. The content focuses on 

civics and history topics.

Writing Portion

To test your ability to write in English, 

you must write one out of three sentences 

correctly in order to demonstrate an ability to 

write in English. 

To help you prepare, see the writing 

vocabulary list on page 31 containing all the 

words found in the English writing portion of 

the naturalization test. The content focuses on 

civics and history topics.

Speaking Portion

At your naturalization interview, a USCIS 

officer will determine your ability to speak 

English.

Reading Vocabulary List

PEOPLE

★ Abraham Lincoln

★ George Washington

CIVICS

★ American flag

★ Bill of Rights

★ capital

★ citizen

★ city
29

★ Congress

★ country

★ Father of Our Country

★ government

★ President

★ right

★ Senators

★ state/states

★ White House

PLACES

★ America

★ United States

★ U.S.

HOLIDAYS

★ Presidents’ Day

★ Memorial Day

★ Flag Day

★ Independence Day

★ Labor Day

★ Columbus Day

★ Thanksgiving
30

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
31

★ of

★ on

★ the

★ to

★ we

OTHER (CONTENT)

★ colors

★ dollar bill

★ first

★ largest

★ many

★ most

★ north

★ one

★ people

★ second

★ south

Writing Vocabulary List

PEOPLE

★ Adams

★ Lincoln

★ Washington
32

CIVICS

★ American Indians

★ capital

★ citizens

★ Civil War

★ Congress

★ Father of Our Country

★ flag

★ 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.
33

MONTHS

★ February

★ May

★ June

★ July

★ September

★ October

★ November

HOLIDAYS

★ Presidents’ Day

★ Memorial Day

★ Flag Day

★ Independence Day

★ Labor Day

★ Columbus Day

★ Thanksgiving
34

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
35

OTHER (CONTENT)

★ blue

★ dollar bill

★ fifty/50

★ first

★ largest

★ most

★ north

★ one

★ one hundred/100

★ people

★ red

★ second

★ south

★ taxes

★ white
36

More Resources to Help You Prepare

Visit the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center 

at www.uscis.gov/citizenship for free 

citizenship preparation materials. Be sure to 

look for these helpful study tools:

•	 A Guide to Naturalization 

This guide provides an overview of the 

naturalization process, information on the 

benefits and responsibilities of citizenship, 

eligibility requirements, and what to expect at 

your naturalization interview.

•	 Form N-400, Application for Naturalization 

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

•	 100 Civics Questions and Answers for the 

Naturalization Test 

The official list of civics questions and 

answers for the naturalization test is available 

in English, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, 

Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

•	 Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test 

These easy-to-use cards include each of 

the 100 civics (history and government) 

questions and answers on the naturalization 

test. 

•	 Learn About the United States: Quick Civics 

Lessons for the Naturalization Test 

This study booklet contains short lessons 

based on each of the 100 civics questions and 

answers on the naturalization test.
37

•	 Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and 

Civics for Citizenship 

This online resource provides videos and 

interactive activities on the 100 civics 

questions and answers and highlights museum 

objects from the Smithsonian Institution. 

•	 The USCIS Naturalization Interview and 

Test Video 

This short video provides an overview 

of the naturalization process and testing 

requirements. The video highlights scenes 

from the naturalization interview, including 

the naturalization test.

•	 Interactive Practice Tests (English portion of 

the naturalization test)

1. Understanding Commands for the 

Naturalization Interview

This activity has commands that you may 

hear during the naturalization interview.

2. Vocabulary for the Naturalization 

Interview: Self-Test 1

This reading activity has words and 

phrases that you may read on Form N-400, 

Application for Naturalization, or hear 

during the naturalization interview.

3. Vocabulary for the Naturalization 

Interview: Self-Test 2

This reading and listening activity has 

words and phrases that an applicant 

may read on Form N-400, Application 

for Naturalization, or hear during the 

naturalization interview.
38

•	 Naturalization Practice Test (civics portion 

of the naturalization test) 

Online study tool to help test your knowledge 

of U.S. history and government. 

•	 Find Help in Your Community 

Find an English and/or citizenship class, legal 

assistance, and USCIS-funded programs in 

your area. 

•	 Naturalization Information Sessions

USCIS regularly holds information sessions 

for the public to learn about naturalization 

eligibility, testing, and citizenship rights and 

responsibilities. Upcoming events are listed on 

the Citizenship Resource Center.

•	 Information in Other Languages 

Find USCIS citizenship publications and 

resources available in other languages as you 

prepare for U.S. citizenship.

www.uscis.gov/citizenship