New 2025 Naturalization Civics Test: What Citizenship Applicants Need to Know
USCIS implemented a new civics test for citizenship applicants filing Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 — 20 questions from a pool of 128, with 12 correct needed to pass.
USCIS has implemented a new version of the naturalization civics test. Through a Federal Register notice, USCIS confirmed the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test applies to anyone who files Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025.
What changed
| Feature | 2008 version | 2025 version |
|---|---|---|
| Study pool | 100 questions | 128 questions |
| Questions asked | Up to 10 | Up to 20 |
| Correct answers to pass | 6 of 10 | 12 of 20 |
Under the new test, the officer stops asking questions once you reach 12 correct (you pass) or 9 incorrect (you cannot reach 12). The English portions of the test — reading, writing, speaking, and understanding — did not change.
Who takes which test
- Filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025: you take the 2008 version (100-question pool, 10 asked, 6 to pass).
- Filed on or after October 20, 2025: you take the 2025 version (128-question pool, 20 asked, 12 to pass).
The cutoff is based on your filing date, not your interview date. Applicants 65 or older with 20+ years as lawful permanent residents may still qualify for a shorter test, but the question bank depends on the filing date.
What you should do
If you're preparing to apply for citizenship, study from the correct question bank for your filing date, and give yourself extra preparation time for the larger 128-question pool. Accurate, complete filings help avoid delays.
Asal Immigration Services helps Columbus-area applicants with Form N-400 and supporting document organization. See our citizenship resources or book a consultation to get started.
Source
This update summarizes information published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (Federal Register). Government rules, dates, and figures change—always confirm the current details on the official page.
Read the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (Federal Register) pageRelated
Asal Immigration Services is a non-attorney immigration support service operated by Asal Multi-Services LLC. We are not attorneys and are not authorized to practice law. We do not provide legal advice, explanations, opinions, or recommendations about legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies. We help with USCIS forms, application packets, translations, and case support based on information you provide. For legal advice, consult a licensed immigration attorney.