If your naturalization interview is in 2026, first check which civics test applies to you. USCIS now uses the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test for applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025; that version has 128 study questions. The 100-question list below is the 2008 civics test, which still applies if you filed before October 20, 2025 and your interview happens later.
For example, someone who filed on September 30, 2025 and interviews in 2026 should study these 100 questions. Someone who files in 2026 should instead use the newer 128-question material. For the older test, the officer asks up to 10 civics questions and you need 6 correct answers. Where several answers are accepted, this guide gives one simple accepted response; state- and district-specific answers must match where you live.
American Government
1. Supreme law of the land? The Constitution.
2. What does the Constitution do? Sets up government.
3. First three Constitution words? We the People.
4. What is an amendment? A constitutional change.
5. First ten amendments? The Bill of Rights.
6. One First Amendment freedom? Freedom of speech.
7. How many amendments? Twenty-seven.
8. What did the Declaration do? Declared independence.
9. Two Declaration rights? Life and liberty.
10. Freedom of religion means? Any religion or none.
11. U.S. economic system? Capitalist economy.
12. Rule of law means? Nobody is above the law.
13. Name one government branch. Legislative.
14. What prevents excessive branch power? Checks and balances.
15. Who leads the executive branch? The President.
16. Who makes federal laws? Congress.
17. Two parts of Congress? Senate and House.
18. How many U.S. senators? One hundred.
19. Senator term length? Six years.
20. Name one current senator. Your state’s senator.
21. Voting House members? Four hundred thirty-five.
22. Representative term length? Two years.
23. Name your U.S. Representative. Your district’s representative.
24. Senators represent whom? Everyone in their state.
25. Why do states have different representatives? Population.
26. Presidential term length? Four years.
27. Presidential election month? November.
28. Current U.S. President? Donald J. Trump.
29. Current Vice President? JD Vance.
30. President cannot serve; who takes over? Vice President.
31. President and VP cannot serve? Speaker of the House.
32. Commander in Chief? The President.
33. Who signs bills? The President.
34. Who vetoes bills? The President.
35. What does the Cabinet do? Advises the President.
36. Name two Cabinet positions. State and Defense.
37. What does judicial branch do? Reviews laws.
38. Highest U.S. court? Supreme Court.
39. Supreme Court justices? Nine.
40. Current Chief Justice? John G. Roberts, Jr.
41. One federal power? Declare war.
42. One state power? Provide schooling.
43. Your state’s governor? Answer for your state.
44. Your state capital? Answer for your state.
45. Two major political parties? Democratic and Republican.
46. President’s political party? Republican.
47. Current Speaker of the House? Mike Johnson.
Rights and Responsibilities
48. One voting-right amendment? Citizens eighteen and older can vote.
49. One citizen-only responsibility? Serve on a jury.
50. One citizen-only right? Vote in federal elections.
51. Two rights for everyone? Speech and religion.
52. What do we show loyalty to? United States.
53. One naturalization promise? Obey U.S. laws.
54. Presidential voting age? Eighteen and older.
55. One way to participate? Vote.
56. Federal income-tax deadline? April 15.
57. Selective Service registration age? Eighteen through twenty-five.
American History
58. One reason colonists came? Religious freedom.
59. Who lived here before Europeans? Native Americans.
60. Who was enslaved from Africa? Africans.
61. Why fight Britain? Taxation without representation.
62. Who wrote the Declaration? Thomas Jefferson.
63. Declaration adopted when? July 4, 1776.
64. Name three original states. Virginia, New York, Georgia.
65. What happened at Constitutional Convention? Constitution was written.
66. Constitution written when? 1787.
67. One Federalist Papers writer? James Madison.
68. One Benjamin Franklin achievement? U.S. diplomat.
69. Father of Our Country? George Washington.
70. First U.S. President? George Washington.
71. Territory bought from France? Louisiana Territory.
72. One 1800s war? Civil War.
73. North-South war? Civil War.
74. One Civil War cause? Slavery.
75. One Lincoln achievement? Preserved the Union.
76. Emancipation Proclamation did what? Freed Confederate slaves.
77. Susan B. Anthony did what? Fought for women’s rights.
78. One 1900s U.S. war? World War II.
79. President during World War I? Woodrow Wilson.
80. President during Depression and WWII? Franklin Roosevelt.
81. U.S. fought whom in WWII? Japan, Germany, Italy.
82. Eisenhower was general in which war? World War II.
83. Main Cold War concern? Communism.
84. Movement against racial discrimination? Civil rights movement.
85. Martin Luther King, Jr. did what? Fought for civil rights.
86. What happened September 11, 2001? Terrorists attacked the United States.
87. Name one American Indian tribe. Cherokee.
Geography, Symbols, and Holidays
88. One longest U.S. river? Missouri River.
89. Ocean on West Coast? Pacific Ocean.
90. Ocean on East Coast? Atlantic Ocean.
91. Name one U.S. territory. Puerto Rico.
92. One state bordering Canada? New York.
93. One state bordering Mexico? Texas.
94. U.S. capital? Washington, D.C.
95. Statue of Liberty location? New York Harbor.
96. Why thirteen flag stripes? Thirteen original colonies.
97. Why fifty flag stars? One for each state.
98. National anthem? The Star-Spangled Banner.
99. Independence Day date? July 4.
100. Name two national holidays. Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
How to Study for Your N-400 Interview
Practice aloud, because the civics portion is oral. Mix the questions instead of memorizing them only in order, and confirm changing answers—especially elected officials—shortly before your appointment. Your N-400 interview prep should also include reviewing your own application, because the officer will ask about your background and eligibility as well as administer the naturalization test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these the correct U.S. citizenship test questions for everyone in 2026?
No. These 100 questions apply to the 2008 civics test for applicants who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025. Applicants filing on or after that date generally take the 2025 test with 128 study questions.
How many questions are asked on the 2008 civics test?
USCIS asks up to 10 questions, and you must answer 6 correctly to pass.
Do answers about officials change?
Yes. Names of the President, Vice President, Speaker, governor, senators, representatives, and other officeholders can change. Use the answer that is current on your interview date.
Should I memorize only these short answers?
Use them as a quick-review guide, then study the official USCIS materials so you recognize the full wording and every accepted answer.
Final Study Check
The most useful first step is confirming which test version your filing date requires. If the 2008 civics test applies, work through these 100 items until you can answer them naturally without relying on sequence. Pair that practice with a careful review of your N-400 and current officeholders so your preparation matches the interview you will actually face.
