Civics test topic guide
The US citizenship civics test
The US naturalization civics test explained: up to 20 oral questions from a list of 128, 12 correct to pass, the 65/20 rule, which version applies to you, and free practice questions.
The civics test is the oral test about American government and history in the naturalization interview. The officer asks up to 20 questions from the official list of 128, and you pass with 12 correct answers.
Below are the seven topics with a photo, what each guide covers and what to remember. Open a guide to read the whole topic, then study its questions.
All eight topic guides
The principles of American governmentThe Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the rule of law, the separation of powers and the idea that the people govern themselves.Read the full guide
The system of governmentCongress, the president, the Supreme Court, the states and how a bill becomes a law.Read the full guide
Rights and responsibilities of citizensThe freedoms of the First Amendment, voting, the duties of a citizen and the Oath of Allegiance.Read the full guide
The colonial period and independenceThe first people, the thirteen colonies, the Revolutionary War and the founding of the nation.Read the full guide
The 1800s: expansion, the Civil War and reformThe Louisiana Purchase, westward expansion, slavery and the Civil War, and the fight for women’s and civil rights.Read the full guide
Recent American historyThe world wars, the Great Depression, the Cold War, the civil rights movement and September 11.Read the full guide
American symbols and holidaysThe flag, the national anthem, the Statue of Liberty and the bald eagle, and the national holidays.Read the full guide
A sample question from the bank
Question: What is the supreme law of the land? Answer: The U.S. Constitution.
Some answers depend on the day or on where you live: the president, vice president, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, and your state’s senators, representative, governor and capital. Look them up before your interview at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.
Questions people ask
Do I have to say the answer exactly as written?
No. USCIS says there may be other correct answers, but it encourages you to use the answers it publishes. For questions that say “name one”, one correct answer is enough.
What if I fail the civics test?
USCIS gives you a second chance to retake the part you failed, normally between 60 and 90 days after the first interview.
Is Asagno the real test?
No. The real test is spoken. Asagno uses the public USCIS questions so you can learn the content and practise with multiple choice.
How are the seven topics divided?
The official list is grouped into principles of government, system of government, rights and responsibilities, colonial period and independence, the 1800s, recent American history and symbols and holidays. USCIS does not say how many questions you will get from each group, so study them all.
Where do I start?
Start with the principles of government, then the system of government, which has the most numbers. Learn the history in order, and finish with the symbols and holidays, which are short and easy.
Ready to practise?
Study the questions by theme, then take the timed practice exam.