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The 65/20 rule and the other age exceptions on the citizenship test

The naturalization test has three exceptions that depend on age and on how long you have held a green card. They are counted at the time you file Form N-400.

50/20 and 55/15: no English test

If you are 50 or older and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for 20 years, or 55 or older with 15 years, you do not take the English test at all. You still take the civics test, but you may take it in your native language. You bring the interpreter to the interview yourself, and they must be fluent in both English and your language.

65/20: a shorter civics test

If you are 65 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident, you get special consideration on the civics test as well: the officer asks 10 questions from a set of 20 that USCIS marks with an asterisk on the list, and you pass with 6. You may take it in the language of your choice. The 20 questions are the ones most people know best: the supreme law of the land, the number of amendments, the first president, the national holidays, why the flag has 13 stripes.

The practice here has the 65/20 set as its own exam: 10 of the 20 marked questions, 6 to pass, in the language you are reading the site in.

A medical exception

An applicant with a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment that keeps them from learning English or civics can ask to be excused from one or both tests with Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, completed by a licensed medical doctor, osteopathic doctor or clinical psychologist.

Practice the 65/20 questions

Source: USCIS, Exceptions and Accommodations

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