USCIS began using the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test for all applications filed on or after October 20, 2025. The 2025 Naturalization Civics Test requires applicants to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, double the previous number of questions. The new test includes 128 potential civics questions compared to the previous 100 questions. The 2025 Naturalization Civics Test places a greater emphasis on American history and governance. All the previous questions on geography have been removed from the 2025 test and existing questions have been modified to increase their difficulty. For example, the 2008 test asked applicants to name three of the thirteen original states; the 2025 test asks applicants to name five of the original states.
It is still highly recommended that eligible lawful permanent residents pursue naturalization, as U.S. citizenship provides many benefits, including protection from removal and the ability to petition additional relatives for lawful permanent residence. Ultimately, the changes to the civics test should not discourage eligible applicants and do not make the benefit significantly more challenging to obtain. Naturalization applicants who do not pass the civics test are eligible to retake the test one time without having to file a new N-400. Failing a civics test when applying for naturalization does not jeopardize a noncitizen’s lawful permanent residence status.
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