USCIS to Launch Revised US Citizenship Civics Test in October 2025

Applicants for US citizenship who submit Form N-400 on or after 20 October 2025 will be required to take a revised version of the naturalisation civics test, according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The updated 2025 civics test introduces a more structured oral format and increases the number of possible questions to 128. During the interview, applicants will be asked up to 20 questions and must answer at least 12 correctly to pass. The interview will end early if the applicant either reaches 12 correct answers or gives 9 incorrect responses.

Core topics from previous versions of the test remain, including the US Constitution, branches of government, and founding documents. However, the new version places greater emphasis on key democratic principles such as the rule of law, constitutional government, and popular sovereignty. 

Applicants are expected to understand broader civic concepts, including natural rights, the social contract, the electoral system, and the structure of the federal government. The list of acceptable answers has also been revised in some areas to allow for a broader interpretation.

For instance, the answer to “What is the form of government of the United States?” may now include terms like “republic,” “representative democracy,” or “Constitution-based federal republic.”

Provisions for older applicants remain unchanged. Individuals aged 65 or older who have been lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years will continue to be eligible for a simplified test. This version includes 10 questions selected from a smaller pool of 20 and may be taken in the applicant’s preferred language. Eligibility for this accommodation is based on the application filing date, not the interview date.

Applicants who file Form N-400 before 20 October 2025 will continue to take the current version of the civics test, introduced in 2008, even if their interview occurs after the new test is implemented. USCIS has encouraged applicants to refer to its website for current information, especially for questions that involve the names of public officials, which may change depending on election outcomes or appointments.

According to USCIS, the revised test is part of a broader effort to update and standardise the naturalisation process while reinforcing knowledge of US democratic principles and civic responsibilities.