The naturalization interview includes three parts: a civics test on U.S. history and government, an English reading test, and an English writing test (speaking ability is assessed by the USCIS officer throughout the interview). Which civics test you take depends on your N-400 filing date: applications filed on or after October 20, 2025 use the 2025 civics test (20 questions asked from a 128-question bank, 12 correct needed to pass); applications filed before that date use the 2008 civics test (10 questions asked from a 100-question bank, 6 correct needed to pass). For the English test, you must read one of three sentences correctly and write one of three sentences correctly, in addition to the officer assessing your speaking ability during the interview. Always confirm current requirements on the official USCIS website, as test content and procedures can change.
It depends on when you filed Form N-400. If you filed on or after October 20, 2025, USCIS uses the 2025 civics test: the officer asks 20 questions from a public bank of 128, and you must answer at least 12 correctly to pass (the test stops as soon as you've clearly passed or failed). If you filed before October 20, 2025, the 2008 civics test applies: 10 questions from a bank of 100, and you need 6 correct. Applicants 65 or older with 20+ years as a lawful permanent resident may study a shorter 20-question subset under either version.
Preparation matters, but the U.S. naturalization test (civics, reading, and writing) is designed to be passable with consistent study. USCIS does not publish a single official national pass-rate percentage for the citizenship test, so treat any specific pass-rate figure you see elsewhere with caution. With structured study of the current question bank for your filing date (the 2008 or 2025 version, per the rule above) using official USCIS materials and practice tests, most well-prepared applicants pass.
To pass on your first try, focus on active recall. Use our free online practice tests to quiz yourself repeatedly without looking at the answers. This simulates the real exam environment and builds confidence. Consistently scoring high on these practice exams is the best indicator that you are ready for your 2026 interview.
There is no separate fee for the civics/English test itself — it is part of your N-400 Application for Naturalization. Per the current USCIS fee schedule, the N-400 filing fee is $760 (paper filing) or $710 (online filing), with a reduced fee of $380 for eligible applicants and a fee waiver (Form I-912) available for those who qualify. Fees are set by USCIS and can change, so always confirm the current amount on uscis.gov/n-400 before filing.
PracticeTestGeeks.com offers FREE US citizenship practice tests built from the official USCIS civics question banks. Because USCIS now maintains two versions (the 2008 100-question bank and, for N-400 applications filed on or after October 20, 2025, the newer 128-question bank), check which set applies to your filing date and study accordingly. Our practice tests offer instant scoring and explanations to help you prepare for your naturalization interview.