Citizenship test guide
How to study for the US citizenship test
You have already done the hard part by getting this far. You can learn this test: the questions are public, and every answer is on a list.
Start practicing →Start with the official list
USCIS publishes all 128 questions and the answers it accepts, so there are no secrets. Everything you need to know is on that list, and you can start today.
Say the answers out loud
The test is spoken, so studying in silence skips the hardest part. Say each answer out loud, in a full sentence, in English. Repeat it until you can say it easily.
Spread it over days
Studying everything in one night does not last. You remember more when you see a question on different days and still answer it correctly. One or two lessons a day is an easy pace, and WelcomeOath has 14 lessons that fit it.
Learn why each answer is right
An answer you understand is easier to remember. When you know why the Constitution is the supreme law, or what the Federalist Papers were for, you remember the answer more easily. Every lesson explains the idea first, in your language, and then has you practice the answer in English.
Check what you really know
It is easy to feel ready when you are not. WelcomeOath looks at what you say, how much help you needed, and whether you still know an answer a day later. Then it shows you again only the answers you need to practice.
Watch the answers that change
Your senators, representative and governor depend on where you live, and the President, Vice President, Speaker and Chief Justice can change. Check USCIS a few days before your interview for the current names.
The week before
Take a mock interview or two so the experience feels familiar, and review any question you are not sure about. Read your appointment notice and get a good night's sleep. Becoming an American is a big day, and you will be ready for it.
Questions people ask
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.
How hard is the citizenship test?
You need 12 correct answers out of up to 20 questions. The questions come from a bank of 128 that you can study before the test. Some are harder than you expect. For example: "The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers." Many people born in the United States could not answer that without studying. You can prepare for this test, and a big part of the work is getting comfortable saying the answers out loud.
USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part E, Chapter 2
Practice is the most important part, and it is what WelcomeOath is made for.
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 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.
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.
Start practicing →