Beginning on December 1st, 2020, applicants for naturalization will be required to take an expanded civics test at their naturalization interview. The current test requires the applicant to answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass. Applicants study from a list of 100 possible questions. The new test will require the applicant to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly. There will be 128 questions that the applicant will study and USCIS will choose 20 questions out of those 128 possible questions. The applicant will have two chances to pass the test. If the applicant does not answer 12 questions correctly at the first interview, they will be rescheduled for an additional interview where they will get one more opportunity to pass the test. If the applicant does not pass the second time, he or she will have to start the entire naturalization process over by filing a new N-400 form along with new filing fees.
What kind of questions will they ask me during the civics exam at my naturalization interview?
The civics exam is designed to test your knowledge of U.S. government and history topics. Here are some of the questions that might be asked: