The U.S. citizenship (naturalization) test is administered during the N-400 interview and consists of two components: an English language test and a civics test.
8 steps across 2 sections
1. Preparing for the English Test
- Speaking test: Assessed throughout the entire interview. The USCIS officer evaluates your ability to understand and respond to questions in English.
- Reading test: You must correctly read aloud 1 out of 3 English sentences displayed by the officer.
- Writing test: You must correctly write 1 out of 3 English sentences dictated by the officer.
2. Preparing for the Civics Test
- Study the official question list: USCIS publishes the complete list of 128 civics questions (new test) or 100 questions (current test, for those filing before October 20, 2026).
- Focus on key topics: American government (principles, system of government, rights and responsibilities), American history (colonial period, 1800s, recent history), and integrated civics (geography...
- Practice with flash cards: USCIS provides free flashcards and study materials.
- Take practice tests: Multiple free online practice tests are available.
- Study for 2-3 months: Most successful applicants study consistently for 2-3 months before their interview.
Common Mistakes
- Not studying enough
- Ignoring the English component
- Memorizing without understanding
- Using outdated study materials
- Not practicing under test conditions
Pro Tips
- Use official USCIS resources first
- Study a little each day
- Practice with a partner
- Focus on your weakest areas
- USCIS vocabulary lists