Civics test topic guide
The system of government
Congress, the president, the Supreme Court and the states: how many senators and representatives, how long each serves, who signs and vetoes bills, and the federal and state powers, with a real civics test question.
The system of government is the largest part of the test and the one with the most numbers to learn: Congress, the president, the courts and the states.
The guide covers the Senate and the House of Representatives, how a bill becomes a law, the president’s term and powers, the Cabinet, the Supreme Court and the 50 states, and tells you which answers you must look up yourself.
The system of government
Congress, the president, the Supreme Court, the states and how a bill becomes a law.
What each guide covers
- Congress: the Senate and the House of RepresentativesCongress is the legislative branch.
- The president and the executive branchThe president is the head of the executive branch.
- The Supreme Court and the judicial branchThe judicial branch explains the laws and decides if they agree with the Constitution.
- The states and local governmentThe United States has 50 states, and power is shared between the federal government and the states.
Remember for the exam
- Congress = Senate (100, 6 years) + House of Representatives (435, 2 years); it makes the laws.
- The president: 4-year term, maximum two terms, commander in chief, lives in the White House.
- Supreme Court: 9 justices, appointed for life, explains the laws.
- 50 states, each with a governor; the capital is Washington, D.C.
- Look up the current names on the day: president, vice president, Speaker, Chief Justice, your senators, representative and governor.
A sample question from the bank
Question: How long is a term for a U.S. senator? Answer: Six (6) years.
Question: Why does each state have two senators? Answer: Equal representation for small states (the Great Compromise).
Questions people ask
Do I need to know my own senators and governor?
Yes. The officer can ask who your state’s senators and governor are, and the capital of your state. Those answers depend on where you live, so they are not in our practice bank: look them up before the interview.
What is the Electoral College?
It is the system that decides who is elected president. On the test, the expected answer is that it decides who is elected president, or that it is a compromise between a popular vote and Congress choosing the president.
How many members does Congress have?
The Senate has 100 senators (two for each state, 6-year terms) and the House of Representatives has 435 voting members (2-year terms).
How long is the president’s term?
Four years, and a president can serve a maximum of two terms. The president is the commander in chief of the military and works in the White House.
More guides
Ready to practise?
Study the questions by theme, then take the timed practice exam.