How the 2025 civics test works

Who takes it

USCIS gives the 2025 version to people who file their naturalization application (Form N-400) on or after October 20, 2025. If you filed earlier, you take the 2008 version, which has 100 questions; Oathway covers only the 2025 version.

What happens

The civics test is an oral test. The USCIS officer asks you up to 20 of the 128 questions, and you must answer at least 12 correctly to pass.

65/20 special consideration

If you are 65 or older and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years, you may study just the 20 questions marked with a star (★), and you may take the test in the language of your choice. The officer asks 10 of those 20, and you must answer at least 6 correctly.

The 20 starred questions

Answers that change

Some answers change because of elections or appointments. You must answer with the name of the official serving at the time of your interview. USCIS keeps the current answers at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates. Other answers depend on where you live, such as your state's senators, your representative, your governor and your state capital.

USCIS also says it knows there may be other correct answers, and encourages applicants to use the answers on its list. Oathway shows those answers, word for word.

How Oathway helps

• Hear it reads each question aloud with your device's own voice, so you practice listening, not only reading.
• The mock interview draws questions at random and stops once the result can no longer change (12 right, or 9 missed; for 65/20, 6 right or 5 missed).
• The Study Book brings back what you miss and spaces out what you know.

What Oathway is not

Oathway is not USCIS and not a law office. It gives no legal advice and does not help with forms, fees, eligibility or filing. It does not cover the English reading and writing tests. The official study materials are free at uscis.gov/citizenship.