study for your naturalization interview
During the naturalization interview, you will go through the following items with a USCIS officer:
- Questions about your N-400 application
- English reading and writing test
- Civics test (given verbally)
1. Questions about your N-400 application
At your interview, a USCIS officer will ask you questions based on the N400 Application for Naturalization you submitted. To prepare for this portion of the interview, you should look over the copy of your application and be very familiar with all the questions and answers. This portion of the interview is your English “speaking” test, unless you are eligible to conduct the interview in your own language – see below.
2. English reading and writing test
You will need to be able to show at your naturalization interview that you can read, write, and speak English at a basic level. There is no official speaking test; the officer will discuss your N-400 application with you to determine whether you can communicate in English.
To test your reading: The officer will give you a written sentence and ask you to read it aloud. For example, “The President lives in the White House.”
To test your writing: The officer will read aloud a sentence, and you must write it approximately correctly. For example, “July 4 is Independence Day.”
There are exemptions from the English exam for certain lawful permanent residents:
- If you are at least 55 years old AND have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 15 years, you will not be tested on your English ability.
- If you are at least 50 years old AND have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, you will not be tested on your English ability.
- If you have filed a Form N-648 Disability Waiver that has been approved by USCIS, you will not be tested on your English ability.
Click here for more information about qualifying for the English exemption.
3. Civics test
For applicants who filed before December 1, 2020 or on or after March 1, 2021:
At the naturalization interview, you will also be tested on your knowledge of U.S. civics and history. There is a list of 100 possible questions that you will need to study. (If you are eligible to complete the interview in your own language, you will study the questions in your own language). At your interview, the officer will randomly ask you any 10 questions from the list. The test is given verbally; it is not a written test. You must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass.
If you are at least 65 years old and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, you can study a shortened list of 20 questions. The officer will ask you up to 10 questions, and you must answer 6 correctly.
Click here for more information about the English and civics exams.
For applicants who filed on or after Dec. 1, 2020, and before March 1, 2021:
At the naturalization interview, you will also be tested on your knowledge of U.S. civics and history. There is a list of 128 possible questions that you will need to study. (If you are eligible to complete the interview in your own language, you will study the questions in your own language). At your interview, the officer will randomly ask you any 20 questions from the list. The test is given verbally; it is not a written test. You must answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly to pass.
IMPORTANT: Acceptable answers to some of the questions to the original 100 questions have been updated. Click here to see the updated list.
For applicants who filed before December 1st, 2020 on or after Dec. 1, 2020, and before March 1, 2021,
At the naturalization interview, you will also be tested on your knowledge of U.S. civics and history. There is a list of 100 possible questions that you will need to study. (If you are eligible to complete the interview in your own language, you will study the questions in your own language). At your interview, the officer will randomly ask you any 10 questions from the list. The test is given verbally; it is not a written test. You must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass.
If you are at least 65 years old and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, you can study a shortened list of 20 questions. The officer will ask you up to 10 questions, and you must answer 6 correctly
Click here for more information about the English and civics exams.
Citizenship and English classes
Classes are available in many areas to help you prepare for the English and civics exams. Classes are available all over the state in various locations:
If you need help finding classes in your area, call our hotline at 1-877-926-3924.
Resources to help you prepare for your naturalization interview
Websites to help prepare for English and Civics test:
100 Civics Question and Answers with MP3 Audio (English Version) USCIS website: Has audio file of 100 civics questions and answers.
USA LEARNS Free online class with videos and online quizzes to help prepare for the English and civics test.
Mobile Apps to help prepare for English and Civics test:
Android:
USCIS N400 Interview Questions App that has flash cards of various questions from the N-400.
USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools Official USCIS study tool to help with the naturalization test.
Free US Citizenship Test 2018 App that has many flash cards and quizzes to help with the civics test.
US Citizenship Test 2018 (audio) App that has many flash cards and quizzes to help with the civics test and test with the addition aid of voice.
Iphone:
USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools Official USCIS study tool to help with the naturalization test.
US Citizen Test 2018 USCIS App that has many flash cards and quizzes to help with the civics test.
US Citizenship Test 2018 (audio) App that has many flash cards and quizzes to help with the civics test and test with the addition aid of voice.
YouTube:
US Citizenship Naturalization Test 2018 (OFFICIAL 100 TEST QUESTIONS & ANSWERS):
US Citizenship/Naturalization Test Questions in Random Order 2018 (All 100 Questions and Answers):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaUmv4Dfp20
Example Naturalization Interview
The following video, created by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, provides examples of what you can expect during your naturalization interview. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov/citizenship.