Let’s talk about the 128 civics questions and answers.
As you may know, the new version of the citizenship test officially came into effect on October 20, 2025. With the motto “One nation, one people,” the new test aims to strengthen the naturalization process and ensure that every new citizen understands and shares the country’s democratic and civic values.
Many applicants were surprised by this change, especially those planning to take the test after October 20. Honestly, it’s understandable — there’s more material to study now. But don’t worry; you’re not alone. No matter which version of the test you need to take, Citizen Now is here to help you every step of the way.
To start, let’s review the 128 civics questions on the naturalization test.
What’s new in the 2025 citizenship test?
The new test consists of 128 questions and answers on US history and government. On the day of your interview, a USCIS officer will randomly select 20 of those questions. It’s no longer just 10 questions like before.
To pass, you must answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly. If you answer nine incorrectly in a row, the test will stop, but don’t worry; you’ll still have a second chance to pass.
Topics Covered in the 2025 Citizenship Test
1. US Government
This section covers the Constitution, fundamental government principles, and the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. It also covers the roles of the president, Congress, and the Supreme Court. It also covers how laws are created and approved.
2. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
This section tests your knowledge of the fundamental rights and responsibilities of US citizens.
3. US History
Here, you will learn about the key events and historical figures that shaped the United States —from independence and the Founding Fathers to the Constitution, major wars, and social movements such as the fight for civil rights.
4. National Symbols and Festivities
Many people think this section is the easiest, but don’t underestimate it. You may find questions about the US flag, the national anthem, and the country’s most important holidays.
128 civics questions for the naturalization test and their answers
Here are the 128 questions and answers from the new version of the citizenship test, according to official USCIS information. We’ve organized them by category to make studying easier and less overwhelming.
Keep in mind that, on the day of your test, the officer won’t use these categories to select questions. That’s why it’s essential to review all the material and show up well-prepared. However, memorizing alone isn’t enough. It might help in the short term, but if you really want to pass, you need to practice.
That’s where Citizen Now becomes your best ally.
Our app offers interactive practice tests based on official questions to help you study in a fun, effective way. You won’t just go through the 128 civics questions for the naturalization test; you’ll also get to test your knowledge, revisit the sections you find most challenging, and track your progress.
So don’t wait—download Citizen Now and start preparing today! The sooner you begin, the more confident you’ll feel on the day of your interview.
US Government
A. Principles of American Government
1. What is the form of government of the United States?
- Republic
- Federal republic based on a constitution
- representative democracy
2. What is the supreme law of the country? *
- Constitution of the United States
3. Name one thing the United States Constitution does.
- Form the government
- Defines the powers of the government
- Defines the parts of the government
- Protects people’s rights
4. The United States Constitution begins with the words “We the people.” What does “We the people” mean?
- Self-government
- Popular sovereignty
- Consent of the governed
- People should govern themselves
- (Example of) social contract
5. How are changes made to the United States Constitution?
- Amendments
- The amendment process
6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?
- The (basic) rights of Americans
- The (basic) rights of people living in the United States
7. How many amendments does the United States Constitution have?*
- Twenty-seven (27)
8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
- He says that the United States is free from British control.
- It says that all people are created equal.
- Identify inherent rights
- Identify individual freedoms
9. What founding document stated that the American colonies were free from Great Britain?
- Declaration of independence
10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
- Equality
- Freedom
- Social contract
- Natural rights
- Limited government
- Self-government
11. In which founding document are the words “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” found?
- Declaration of independence
12. What is the economic system of the United States?*
- Capitalism
- Free market economy
13. What is the rule of law?
- Everyone must comply with the law
- Leaders must obey the law
- The government must obey the law
- No one is above the law
14. Many documents influenced the United States Constitution. Name one.
- Declaration of independence
- Articles of Confederation
- Federalist Papers
- Antifederalist documents
- Virginia Declaration of Rights
- Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
- Mayflower Compact
- Great Iroquois Peace Act
15. There are three branches of government. Why?
- So that one part does not become too powerful
- Checks and balances
- Separation of powers
B. System of Government
16. Name the three branches of government.
- Legislative, executive and judicial
- Congress, the president, and the courts
17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
- Executive power
18. What part of the federal government writes laws?
- Congress (of the United States)
- Legislature (US or national)
- Legislative power
19. What are the two parts of the United States Congress?
- Senate and House of Representatives
20. Name one branch of the United States Congress.*
- Write laws
- Declare war
- Prepares the federal budget
21. How many senators are there in the United States?
- One hundred (100)
22. How long does a US senator’s term last?
- Six (6) years
23. Who is one of the US senators from your state currently?
- (The answer varies by state)
24. How many voting members are there in the House of Representatives?
- Four hundred thirty-five (435)
25. How long is the term of a member of the House of Representatives?
- Two (2) years
26. Why do U.S. representatives have shorter terms than senators?
- To monitor public opinion more closely
27. How many senators does each state have?
- Of (2)
28. Why does each state have two senators?
- Equal representation (for small states)
- The Great Compromise
29. Name your representative in the United States.
- (The answer varies by district)
30. What is the name of the current Speaker of the House of Representatives?*
- See “USCIS Testing Updates” for current name
31. Who does a US senator represent?
- Citizens of your state
- People of your state
32. Who elects US senators?
- Citizens of your state
33. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
- Citizens in their (congressional) district
34. Who elects the members of the House of Representatives?
- Citizens of your district
35. Some states have more representatives than others. Why?
- Due to the state’s population
36. For how many years is the President of the United States elected?*
- Four (4) years
37. The President of the United States can only serve two terms. Why?
- Because of the 22nd Amendment
- To prevent the president from becoming too powerful
38. What is the name of the current president of the United States?*
- See “USCIS Exam Updates”
39. What is the name of the current Vice President of the United States?*
- See “USCIS Exam Updates”
40. If the president can no longer serve, who takes over?
- The vice president
41. Name one power of the president.
- Sign bills into law
- Vetoes bills
- Enforces the laws
- Commander-in-Chief (of the armed forces)
- Chief Diplomat
- Appoints federal judges
42. Who is the commander in chief of the United States Army?
- The President
43. Who signs bills into law?
- The President
44. Who vetoes bills?*
- The President
45. Who appoints federal judges?
- The President
46. The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
- President
- Cabinet
- Federal departments and agencies
47. What does the President’s Cabinet do?
- Advises the President
48. What are two cabinet-level positions?
- (for example) Attorney General, Secretary of State, etc.
49. Why is the Electoral College important?
- Decide who is elected president
- It provides a compromise between popular vote and Congressional selection.
50. What is a part of the judiciary?
- Supreme Court
- Federal courts
51. What does the judiciary do?
- Law Reviews
- Explain the laws
- Resolves disputes about the law
- Decides whether a law goes against the Constitution
52. What is the highest court in the United States? *
- Supreme Court
53. How many seats are there on the Supreme Court?
- Nine (9)
54. How many judges are typically needed to decide a case?
- Five (5)
55. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
- For life / lifetime appointment
56. Why do Supreme Court justices serve for life?
- To maintain the independence of politics
- To limit external influence
57. Who is currently the Chief Justice of the United States?*
- See “USCIS Exam Updates”
58. Name a power that is exclusive to the federal government.
- Print paper money
- Declare war
- Make treaties
- Create an army
- Establish foreign policy
59. Name a power that is exclusive to the states.
- Provide schooling and education
- Give a driver’s license
- Police / security / zoning
60. What is the purpose of the Tenth Amendment?
- Powers not granted to the federal government belong to the states or the people.
61. Who is the governor of your state now?*
- (The answer varies by state)
62. What is the capital of your state?
- (The answer varies)
Rights and responsibilities
63. There are four amendments regarding who can vote. Describe one.
- Citizens over eighteen (18) years of age may vote.
- You do not have to pay electoral tax
- People of any race can vote
- Both women and men can vote
64. Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on juries in the U.S.?
- American citizens
65. What are three rights of all people living in the U.S.?
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of assembly/petition
- The right to bear arms
66. What do we show allegiance to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? *
- USA
- The flag
67. Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
- Renouncing loyalty to other countries
- Defend the Constitution of the United States
- Obey the laws of the United States
- Serve the nation if necessary
68. How can people become American citizens?
- Born in the USA (under conditions)
- Naturalize
- Obtain citizenship under certain conditions established by Congress
69. What are two examples of civic participation in the US?
- Vote
- Run for office
- Join a political or community group
- Contact elected officials
- Support or oppose an issue
70. What is one way Americans can serve their country?
- Pay taxes
- Obey the law
- Serving in the military
- Working for the government
71. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
- Required by law
- Fund government services
- Civic duty
72. It is important for all men between the ages of 18 and 25 to register with the Selective Service. Give one reason.
- Requerido por ley
- Ensures equity
- Help if eraser is needed
History of the United States
A. Colonial period and independence
73. The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
- Freedom
- Political freedom
- Religious freedom
- Economic opportunity
- To escape persecution
74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? *
- American Indians / Native Americans
75. What group of people were taken and sold into slavery?
- Africans / people from Africa
76. What war did the Americans fight to gain independence from Great Britain?
- American Revolution / Revolutionary War
77. Name one reason why Americans declared independence from Great Britain.
- High taxes
- “Taxation without representation”
- British soldiers housed in houses
- Lack of self-government
78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? *
- Thomas Jefferson
79. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
- July 4, 1776
80. The American Revolution had many key events. Name one.
- Battle of Bunker Hill
- Declaration of independence
- Washington crossing the Delaware
- Surrender of Yorktown
81. There were 13 original states. Name five.
- (List five: for example, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, etc.)
82. What founding document was written in 1787?
- Constitution of the United States
83. The Federalist Papers supported the adoption of the Constitution. Name a writer.
- James Madison
- Alexander Hamilton
- Juan Jay
84. Why were the Federalist Papers important?
- They explained and supported the Constitution.
85. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
- He founded the first free public libraries
- Inventor
- He helped write the Declaration
86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one. *
- First President
- General of the Continental Army
- “Father of our Country”
87. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
- Author of the Declaration
- Third President
- Louisiana Purchase
88. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
- “Father of the Constitution”
- Fourth President
- Federalist Papers of Authorship
89. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
- First Secretary of the Treasury
- Author of the Federalist Papers
- He helped establish the first bank
B. 1800
90. What territory did the United States purchase from France in 1803?
- Louisiana Territory
91. Name a war that the United States fought in the 19th century.
- War of 1812
- Mexican-American War
- Civil war
- Spanish-American War
92. What war did the United States fight between the North and the South?
- Civil war
93. Name an important event of the Civil War.
- Emancipation Proclamation
- Gettysburg
- Fort Sumter
- Sherman’s March
94. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
- Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
- Preserved the Union
95. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
- He freed the slaves
- Freed slaves in the Confederate states
96. Which American war ended slavery?
- The Civil War
97. Which amendment states that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens?
- Amendment 14
98. When did all men get the right to vote?
- After the Civil War / Reconstruction
- 15th Amendment (1870)
99. Name a leader of the women’s rights movement in the 19th century.
- Susan B. Anthony
- Elizabeth Cady Stanton
- Pilgrim’s Truth
C. Recent history and other key information
100. Name a war the United States fought in the 20th century.
- First and Second World Wars
- Korean War
- Vietnam War
- Gulf War (Persian)
101. Why did the United States enter World War I?
- Why did Germany attack American ships?
- To support the Allied Powers
102. When did all women get the right to vote?
- 1920 / After World War I / 19th Amendment
103. What was the Great Depression?
- Long economic recession
- Stock market crash
104. When did the Great Depression begin?
- 1929
105. Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
- Franklin Roosevelt
106. Why did the United States enter World War II?
- Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
107. Dwight Eisenhower is known for many things. Name one.
- General of World War II
- 34th president
- Interstate highway built
108. Who was the United States’ rival during the Cold War?
- Soviet Union / USSR
109. During the Cold War, what was the United States’ main concern?
- Communism
110. Why did the United States enter the Korean War?
- To stop the spread of communism
111. Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?
- Para detener la propagación del comunismo
112. What did the civil rights movement do?
- He fought to end racial discrimination
113. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
- He fought for civil rights
- He advocated for equality
114. Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
- To withdraw Iraqi forces from Kuwait
115. What important event occurred on September 11, 2001?*
- Terrorist attacks
116. Name a post-9/11 US military conflict.
- War on Terror
- Afghanistan
- Iraq
117. Name a Native American tribe.
- Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, etc.
118. Name an American innovation.
- Lightbulb
- Plane
- Skyscraper
Symbols and festivities
Symbols
119. What is the capital of the United States?
- Washington, D.C.
120. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
- New York Harbor / Liberty Island
121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?*
- Because there were 13 original colonies
122. Why does the flag have 50 stars?
- One star for each state
123. What is the national anthem?
- The Star-Spangled Banner
124. The first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does it mean?
- Of many, one
Vacation
125. What is Independence Day?
- A holiday celebrating the independence of the United States from Great Britain
- The country’s birthday
126. Name three national holidays in the United States.*
- New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, etc.
127. What is Memorial Day?
- A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service.
128. What is Veterans Day?
- A holiday to honor American veterans