USCIS introduced the 2025 version of the civics test for everyone who files Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025. Everyone who filed before that date takes the 2008 version, whenever the interview happens. Nothing else decides it, not the interview date and not where you live.
What is different
- The 2025 list has 128 questions, the 2008 list 100. Many questions are the same or close, and the 2025 list adds history and the reasons behind things: why there are three branches, why senators serve six years, why the United States entered each war.
- The 2025 test asks up to 20 questions and needs 12 correct, stopping at 12 right or 9 wrong. The 2008 test asks up to 10 and needs 6, stopping at 6 right or 5 wrong.
- The 2008 answers are short and often one word: “the Constitution”, “speech”. The 2025 answers are fuller sentences, and USCIS encourages applicants to answer with the words on the list.
- Both versions have a 65/20 set of 20 marked questions for applicants 65 and older with 20 years as permanent residents, and both ask for the names of your state’s senators, your representative, your governor and your state capital.
Answers that change
On either version a few answers depend on the day you are asked: the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, the Chief Justice, and the officials of your state. USCIS keeps the current names on its test updates page, and you must answer with the person serving at the time of your interview. The practice here checks those names against that page and shows the date of the check.
Practice the 2025 versionPractice the 2008 versionSource: USCIS, Check for Test Updates