U.S. Naturalization Civics Test Study Guide

The civics test is oral. The USCIS officer reads questions out loud, and you answer out loud - there is no multiple choice. Spelling does not count, but pronunciation must be intelligible.[1]

57 of the 100 questions are about American government, divided into Principles of American Democracy, System of Government, and Rights and Responsibilities.

• Principles of American Democracy: the Constitution is the supreme law of the land; the first three words are 'We the People'; the Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments; freedoms include speech, religion, assembly, press, and petition.
• System of Government: three branches - legislative (Congress), executive (President), judicial (courts). Congress has two parts: Senate (100 members, 2 per state, 6-year terms) and House of Representatives (435 voting members, 2-year terms).
• Rights and Responsibilities: only U.S. citizens may vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a federal jury. Two responsibilities reserved for citizens: serving on a jury, and voting in federal elections.

30 of the 100 questions cover history, from the colonial period to recent decades.

1. Colonial period and independence - Pilgrims came to escape religious persecution. Declaration of Independence (1776) was written mainly by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on 4 July.
2. 1700s - the Constitution was written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention; The Federalist Papers supported its passage; James Madison is the 'Father of the Constitution'.
3. 1800s - the Civil War (1861-1865) was fought over slavery, states' rights, and economic issues. The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in Confederate states. Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union.
4. 1900s - World War I (Woodrow Wilson), Great Depression and World War II (Franklin Roosevelt), Korean War, Vietnam War (1950s-60s); civil rights movement (Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Act of 1964).
5. Recent - September 11, 2001 attacks; 1990s tech and globalisation; women's suffrage (19th Amendment, 1920); Native American removal (Trail of Tears) recognised in question 87.

• Geography - 50 states, 50 stars on the flag (each star is a state). 13 stripes (original colonies).
• Major rivers: Mississippi and Missouri.
• Pacific Ocean (west coast), Atlantic Ocean (east coast), Mexico (south border), Canada (north border).
• Capital: Washington, D.C. The Statue of Liberty stands in New York Harbour, originally a gift from France.
• National anthem: 'The Star-Spangled Banner' (Francis Scott Key, written during the War of 1812).
• Holidays: Independence Day (July 4), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November).

Most answers are fixed (the number of senators, the year of the Constitution). A handful change as elections happen - these are the ones to confirm on uscis.gov in the days before your interview:

• Q20: Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators?
• Q23: Name your U.S. Representative.
• Q28: What is the name of the President of the United States now?
• Q29: What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
• Q39: How many justices are on the Supreme Court? (currently 9)
• Q40: Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
• Q43: Who is the Governor of your state now?
• Q47: What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

The civics test is one of three parts of the naturalisation test. You must also pass an English reading test (read 1 of up to 3 sentences correctly), an English writing test (write 1 of up to 3 sentences correctly), and demonstrate basic spoken English during the interview itself.

• Reading and writing vocabulary lists are published by USCIS - typical words include 'America', 'Congress', 'flag', 'right', 'vote'.
• Sentences are simple statements about civics or American life, not literary prose.
• Some applicants are exempt from English (the '50/20', '55/15', or '65/20' rules - based on age and years as a permanent resident) and may take the civics test in their native language with a translator.

1. Days 1-3: Read the full USCIS 100-question PDF aloud. Mark questions you cannot answer immediately.
2. Days 4-6: American government section (Q1-57) - drill 20 per day in tutorial mode.
3. Days 7-10: American history section (Q58-87) - split colonial, 1800s, 1900s, recent.
4. Days 11-12: Integrated civics section (Q88-100) - geography, symbols, holidays.
5. Day 13: Verify all 'changing answer' questions on uscis.gov.
6. Days 14-16: Mixed drills, oral practice. Record yourself answering 20 random questions per day.
7. Day 17: English reading and writing practice using the official vocabulary lists.
8. Days 18-19: Mock interview with a friend or family member. Practise speaking, not writing.
9. Day 20: Final mixed drill of the full 100-question pool.
10. Day 21: Review weak items only. Bring your interview notice, valid ID, and re-confirm officials on uscis.gov.