The 2025 Civics Test vs. the 2008 Test: What Changed

USCIS rolled out a new version of the civics test in 2025. If you are preparing for your naturalization interview, here is a clear breakdown of what changed and which test applies to you.

Which test do you take?

• If you filed your N-400 application on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 test.
• If you filed before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 test.

The 2008 test (the old version)

• The officer asks up to 10 questions from a pool of 100.
• You pass by answering 6 correctly.
• The officer stops asking once you pass or fail.

The 2025 test (the new version)

• The officer asks up to 20 questions from a pool of 128.
• You pass by answering 12 correctly.
• The question pool is larger, so you need to study more material.
• The officer still stops once you pass (12 correct) or fail (9 wrong).

How the question categories changed

Both tests cover American government and American history, but the 2025 test reorganizes the topics and adds many new questions. Here is how the question pool is divided.

2008 test: 100 questions in 3 sections

• American Government (57): Principles of American Democracy (12), System of Government (35), Rights and Responsibilities (10)
• American History (30): Colonial Period and Independence (13), the 1800s (7), Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information (10)
• Integrated Civics (13): Geography (8), Symbols (3), Holidays (2)

2025 test: 128 questions in 3 sections

• American Government (72): Principles of American Government (15), System of Government (47), Rights and Responsibilities (10)
• American History (46): Colonial Period and Independence (17), the 1800s (10), Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information (19)
• Symbols and Holidays (10): Symbols (6), Holidays (4)

What the category changes mean for you

• System of Government grew the most, from 35 to 47 questions. Expect more questions about Congress, the President, the courts and how laws are made.
• American History grew from 30 to 46 questions, with nearly twice as many on recent history (19 instead of 10).
• "Principles of American Democracy" is now called "Principles of American Government" and has 15 questions instead of 12.
• The Integrated Civics section is gone. Symbols and Holidays became their own section with more questions (10 instead of 5).
• The separate Geography group (rivers, oceans, borders, states) was removed as its own category.
• Rights and Responsibilities stays at 10 questions.

Tip: on the 2025 test, spend most of your study time on System of Government and American History, which together make up about 73% of the questions.

The 65/20 exception

If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years, you study a shorter list of 20 questions. The officer asks 10, and you pass with 6 correct answers. This applies to both test versions.

What stays the same

• The civics test is still spoken — the officer asks the questions out loud and you answer out loud.
• If you fail the civics or English part, you are retested only on the part you failed, usually within 60 to 90 days.
• Some answers depend on where you live (your senators, your representative, your governor), so always check the current officials for your area before your interview.

Bottom line

The 2025 test is bigger and a little harder: 128 questions instead of 100, and 12 correct answers needed instead of 6. Start studying early, focus on the questions that match your filing date, and practice answering out loud. You can do both right here on US Citizenship Prep — pick your test version on the Practice page and start a mock test today.