Citizenship test guide
The citizenship test for seniors (65/20)
If you have lived in the United States as a permanent resident for a long time, the path to citizenship is a little shorter. Here is how the 65/20 rule works, and how to prepare.
Start practicing →Who qualifies
You qualify for the 65/20 rule if you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more.
What changes
The civics test is shorter, and you can take it in your own language.
- You study a shorter list of 20 questions, marked with an asterisk on the official list.
- At the interview the officer asks you 10 of those 20.
- You need 6 correct answers to pass.
- You may take the civics test in the language of your choice.
The officer chooses which 10, and you will not know ahead of time, so the best plan is to know all 20 well.
Check your filing date
The 20 questions depend on when you filed Form N-400: the 2008 version or the 2025 version. WelcomeOath teaches the 2025 list, so if you filed before October 20, 2025, use USCIS's 2008 materials.
Practice at your own pace
WelcomeOath has a 65/20 track with just your 20 questions. Listen to each question, answer out loud, and come back to the ones that are still difficult, with every lesson explained in the language you know best. A 10-question mock interview lets you practice the real interview.
Exceptions and accommodations
Some applicants qualify for other exceptions or accommodations, for example because of a medical condition. USCIS explains who qualifies and how to ask on its exceptions and accommodations page.
Questions people ask
What is the 65/20 rule?
If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more, you study a shorter list of 20 questions (marked with an asterisk). At the interview the officer asks you 10 of those 20, and you need 6 correct. You will not know which 10 you will get, so you want to be ready for all 20. You may take this test in the language of your choice.
USCIS: Exceptions and accommodations
WelcomeOath has a 65/20 track with just those 20 questions and a 10-question mock interview, so your practice matches the real interview.
Can I take the civics test in my own language?
Most applicants answer in English. Applicants who qualify for the 65/20 rule may take the civics test in the language of their choice, and some others may qualify for an exception or accommodation.
USCIS: Exceptions and accommodations
We explain every lesson in 23 languages so you understand why each answer is correct. Then you practice saying it in English, which is how most people answer at the interview.
What if I fail the citizenship test?
If you do not pass the English or civics part, USCIS schedules a second interview 60 to 90 days after the first, and you are tested again only on the part you did not pass. Failing the same part a second time leads to a denial. After all your work to get here, that is hard to face, so it is important to prepare well the first time.
USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part E, Chapter 2
Practice out loud until the answers feel automatic. We show you exactly which questions you still need to practice, so nothing surprises you on interview day.
Can I practice the citizenship test online?
Yes. USCIS publishes every question and answer, so you can practice any way you like. WelcomeOath is an online practice test for the 2025 civics test. It works in your phone or computer browser, listens when you say your answers, and runs mock interviews. The first three lessons are free.
Your first lesson is free. Try it and hear yourself answer in English.
From welcome to oath
Let's get you ready
Becoming an American is something to celebrate. Practice out loud, and we will help you feel ready for the interview.
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