The Official 100 Civics Questions for US Citizenship Test (2026 Study Guide)
Passing your naturalization test doesn’t require memorizing a heavy history book. Your main task is simply learning the 100 civics questions for us citizenship test to finally secure your US passport.
Before you start memorizing dates and names, check out our complete guide on the US Citizenship Interview: Civics Questions and English Test so you know exactly what happens on your appointment day.
To make studying easier, we took the official USCIS materials and broke them down into simple, clean charts. Let’s look at how the test actually works and start practicing the answers.
How the US Citizenship Civics Test Works
A lot of applicants panic thinking they have to answer all 100 questions in front of the officer. Don’t worry—it doesn’t work that way.
During your interview, the USCIS officer will ask you up to 10 questions out loud from the official list. You only need to answer 6 correctly to pass.
The moment you get 6 right, the officer stops asking questions, and you pass this section on the spot!
💡 Pro Tip: You only need to provide one of the correct answers from the list below, unless the question specifically asks for more (for example, “Name two rights”).
100 Civics Questions and Answers 2026 (Categorized for Easy Learning)
Staring at a huge list of questions is exhausting. To help you learn faster, we broke the official 2026 list into three simple sections: American Government, American History, and Integrated Civics.
American Government (Principles of Democracy)
This section covers the basic rules of how US laws and the government actually work.
| No. | Official USCIS Question | Acceptable Answers (Say ONE) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the supreme law of the land? | • The Constitution |
| 2 | What does the Constitution do? | • Sets up the government |
| 3 | The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? | • We the People |
| 4 | What is an amendment? | • A change (to the Constitution) |
| 5 | What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? | • The Bill of Rights |
| 6 ★ | What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? | • Speech • Religion |
| 7 | How many amendments does the Constitution have? | • Twenty-seven (27) |
| 8 | What did the Declaration of Independence do? | • Announced our independence |
| 9 | What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? | • Life and Liberty |
| 10 | What is freedom of religion? | • You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion. |
| 11 ★ | What is the economic system in the United States? | • Capitalist economy |
| 12 | What is the “rule of law”? | • No one is above the law. |
(Note: If you are 65 or older and have been a green card holder for 20 or more years, you only need to study the questions marked with a star ★).
System of Government (How America is Run)
This section covers the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the US government. These are the most frequently asked questions during the citizenship interview.
| No. | Official USCIS Question | Acceptable Answers (Say ONE) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 ★ | Name one branch or part of the government. | • Congress • President |
| 14 | What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? | • Checks and balances |
| 15 | Who is in charge of the executive branch? | • The President |
| 16 | Who makes federal laws? | • Congress |
| 17 ★ | What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? | • The Senate and House (of Representatives) |
| 18 | How many U.S. Senators are there? | • One hundred (100) |
| 19 | We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? | • Six (6) |
| 20 ★ | Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now? | • Answers will vary. (Search online for your state) |
| 21 | The House of Representatives has how many voting members? | • Four hundred thirty-five (435) |
| 22 | We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? | • Two (2) |
| 23 | Name your U.S. Representative. | • Answers will vary based on zip code. |
| 24 | Who does a U.S. Senator represent? | • All people of the state |
| 25 | Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? | • Because of the state’s population |
| 26 | We elect a President for how many years? | • Four (4) |
| 27 ★ | In what month do we vote for President? | • November |
| 28 ★ | What is the name of the President of the United States now? | • Check USCIS.gov for the current President. |
| 29 | What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? | • Check USCIS.gov for the current VP. |
| 30 | If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? | • The Vice President |
| 31 | If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? | • The Speaker of the House |
| 32 | Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? | • The President |
| 33 | Who signs bills to become laws? | • The President |
| 34 | Who vetoes bills? | • The President |
| 35 | What does the President’s Cabinet do? | • Advises the President |
(Reminder: Questions with a star ★ are the only ones required for applicants who are 65 or older and have held a green card for 20+ years).
The Judicial Branch, State Powers, and Citizen Rights
This section finalizes the American Government category. It focuses on the courts, the differences between federal and state powers, and the rights and responsibilities of being a US citizen.
| No. | Official USCIS Question | Acceptable Answers (Say ONE) |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | What are two Cabinet-level positions? | • Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State |
| 37 | What does the judicial branch do? | • Explains laws |
| 38 | What is the highest court in the United States? | • The Supreme Court |
| 39 | How many justices are on the Supreme Court? | • Nine (9) |
| 40 | Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? | • John Roberts |
| 41 | Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power? | • To print money |
| 42 | Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power? | • Give a driver’s license |
| 43 | Who is the Governor of your state now? | • Answers will vary by state. |
| 44 ★ | What is the capital of your state? | • Answers will vary by state. |
| 45 ★ | What are the two major political parties in the United States? | • Democratic and Republican |
| 46 | What is the political party of the President now? | • Check USCIS.gov for the current party. |
| 47 | What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? | • Check USCIS.gov for the current Speaker. |
| 48 | There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. | • Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). |
| 49 ★ | What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? | • Vote in a federal election |
| 50 | Name one right only for United States citizens. | • Vote in a federal election |
| 51 | What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? | • Freedom of speech and freedom of religion |
| 52 | What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? | • The United States |
| 53 | What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? | • Defend the Constitution and laws of the United States |
| 54 ★ | How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? | • Eighteen (18) and older |
| 55 | What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? | • Vote and join a political party |
| 56 ★ | When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms? | • April 15 |
| 57 | When must all men register for the Selective Service? | • At age eighteen (18) |
American History
This section covers the colonial period, independence, and major historical events of the 1800s and 1900s. Knowing these historical milestones is crucial for passing the US citizenship civics test.
| No. | Official USCIS Question | Acceptable Answers (Say ONE) |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | What is one reason colonists came to America? | • Freedom |
| 59 | Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? | • Native Americans |
| 60 | What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? | • Africans |
| 61 | Why did the colonists fight the British? | • Because of high taxes (taxation without representation) |
| 62 | Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? | • Thomas Jefferson |
| 63 | When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? | • July 4, 1776 |
| 64 | There were 13 original states. Name three. | • New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania |
| 65 | What happened at the Constitutional Convention? | • The Constitution was written. |
| 66 | When was the Constitution written? | • 1787 |
| 67 | The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. | • Alexander Hamilton |
| 68 | What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? | • U.S. diplomat |
| 69 | Who is the “Father of Our Country”? | • (George) Washington |
| 70 ★ | Who was the first President? | • (George) Washington |
| 71 | What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? | • The Louisiana Territory |
| 72 | Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. | • Civil War |
| 73 | Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. | • The Civil War |
| 74 | Name one problem that led to the Civil War. | • Slavery |
| 75 ★ | What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did? | • Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) |
| 76 | What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? | • Freed the slaves |
| 77 | What did Susan B. Anthony do? | • Fought for women’s rights |
| 78 ★ | Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. | • World War II |
| 79 | Who was President during World War I? | • (Woodrow) Wilson |
| 80 | Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? | • (Franklin) Roosevelt |
| 81 | Who did the United States fight in World War II? | • Japan, Germany, and Italy |
| 82 | Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in? | • World War II |
| 83 | During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States? | • Communism |
| 84 | What movement tried to end racial discrimination? | • Civil rights (movement) |
| 85 | What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do? | • Fought for civil rights |
| 86 | What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States? | • Terrorists attacked the United States. |
| 87 ★ | Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. | • Cherokee |
Integrated Civics (Geography, Symbols, and Holidays)
This final section focuses on United States geography, national symbols, and important national holidays. Many applicants find these questions the easiest to memorize.
| No. | Official USCIS Question | Acceptable Answers (Say ONE unless asked for more) |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. | • Mississippi (River) |
| 89 | What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? | • Pacific (Ocean) |
| 90 | What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? | • Atlantic (Ocean) |
| 91 | Name one U.S. territory. | • Puerto Rico |
| 92 | Name one state that borders Canada. | • New York |
| 93 | Name one state that borders Mexico. | • Texas |
| 94 ★ | What is the capital of the United States? | • Washington, D.C. |
| 95 ★ | Where is the Statue of Liberty? | • New York (Harbor) |
| 96 | Why does the flag have 13 stripes? | • Because there were 13 original colonies |
| 97 ★ | Why does the flag have 50 stars? | • Because there are 50 states |
| 98 | What is the name of the national anthem? | • The Star-Spangled Banner |
| 99 ★ | When do we celebrate Independence Day? | • July 4 |
| 100 | Name two national U.S. holidays. | • Thanksgiving and Christmas |
The 65/20 Exception: Do You Have to Study All 100 Questions?
Worried about memorizing all 100 questions? You might qualify for a massive shortcut called the “65/20 Rule.”
You get this special USCIS exemption if:
- You are 65 or older on the day you file your Form N-400.
- You have held your Green Card for at least 20 years.
If you meet both rules, you can skip the big list. You only need to study the 20 specific questions marked with a star (★) above. The officer will only ask you from this short list, and you still just need 6 correct answers to pass.
Best Tips to Pass Your US Citizenship Practice Test
Memorizing history is tough, especially if English isn’t your first language. Here are three simple tips to pass on your first try:
- Do Not Over-Answer: If the officer asks for one reason, just give one. Don’t list them all. Talking too much only increases your chance of making a mistake.
- Listen to the Audio: The best way to memorize these civics questions is by listening. Download the official USCIS audio files and play them in your car or while doing chores.
- Check Current Names: Answers about the current President, Vice President, or your Governor change after elections. Always check the official website a week before your interview to get the latest names.
FAQs
Do I need to study the 2008 or 2020 version of the civics test?
You must study the 2008 version containing 100 questions. USCIS officially canceled the 2020 version (which had 128 questions). Regardless of your application date, all current applicants take the standard 2008 civics test. Do not study the 2020 materials.
Can I take the civics test in my native language?
Yes, but only if you qualify for a specific exemption. If you are 50 or older with a green card for 20 years, or 55 and older with a green card for 15 years, you are allowed to bring an interpreter for the civics test.
Will I fail the civics test if the officer cannot understand my accent?
No. USCIS officers are specially trained to understand different accents and minor pronunciation errors. As long as the officer can reasonably recognize that you know the correct historical answer, you will pass. The civics portion is a knowledge test, not an English pronunciation test.
Source of Information
To ensure the highest level of accuracy and compliance with current US immigration laws, all 100 civics questions, acceptable answers, and special exemption rules (like the 65/20 rule) provided in this guide are directly sourced from the official United States government portals.
For further verification and the most up-to-date 2026 announcements, please refer to the official resources below:
- Official 2008 Civics Test Materials: USCIS Study for the Test (100 Questions)
- Age and Residency Exemptions: USCIS Exceptions and Accommodations
- Citizenship Resource Center: Official USCIS Portal
