To pass the U.S citizenship test, you must demonstrate your ability to read and write in English. During your interview, you must correctly read one of three sentences and write one of three sentences dictated by the officer.
At your appointment, a USCIS officer will give you a digital tablet. You will use it for both the reading and writing tests. These are not advanced exams. Both use simple grammar and vocabulary about U.S history and civics.
All applicants must pass the English component to obtain U.S citizenship. However, there are exceptions based on the applicant’s age and the length of time they have been a lawful permanent resident.
These exceptions are known as the 50/20, 55/15, and 65/20 rules, which I will explain in more detail below.
Quick facts
- Reading test: Read one of the three sentences correctly, without omitting any key words.
- Writing test: Write one of three dictated sentences without making major grammatical errors.
- Content: All material is based on the official USCIS vocabulary list.
- Requirement: The English test is mandatory for all applicants, unless they qualify for an official exemption.
What are the requirements for the U.S citizenship reading test?
During the reading part, the officer will display up to three sentences in English on a tablet. You only need to read one of them correctly to pass.
The officer isn’t looking for a native speaker accent or perfect pronunciation. The goal is to prove your ability to understand and communicate basic ideas in English.
If you have a slight accent but your meaning is clear, you will pass.
| You Pass If… | You Fail If… |
| You read at least 1 of the 3 sentences correctly. | You cannot read any of the 3 sentences. |
| You read the keywords, even if you miss minor connectors. | You substitute words that change the sentence’s meaning. |
| You read the full sentence without excessively long pauses. | Your pauses are so long they break the flow. |
| Your pronunciation allows the officer to understand the idea. | The officer cannot understand what you are reading. |
USCIS rerading vocabulary list
The official reading vocabulary list for the naturalization test is limited to words related to:
- People
- civics and government.
- Geography
- National Holidays
Below is the official list published by USCIS. We recommend creating flashcards for these terms.
You can also download printable, pre-made flashcards directly from the official USCIS website.
| Category | Words to Study |
|---|---|
| People | -Abraham Lincoln -George Washington |
| Civis | -American Flag -Bill of Rights -capital -citizen -city -Congress -country -Father of Our Country -government -President -right -Senators -state/states -White House |
| Places | -America -United States -U.S. |
| Holidays | -Presidents’ Day -Memorial Day -Flag Day -Independence Day -Labor Day -Columbus Day -Thanksgiving |
| Questions Words | -How -Where -What -Who -When -Why |
| Verbs | -can -come -do -does -have -has -is/are -was/be -lives -lived -meet -name -pay -vote -want |
| Other Function | -a -for -here -in -of -on -the -to -we |
| Other Content | -colors -north -dollar bill -one -first -people -largest -second -many -south -most |
Sample reading questions of the U.S citizenship test
To help you prepare, we have selected 10 real-world practice sentences. Watch the video below to hear the correct pronunciation, and then use the list to practice on your own.
Practice List:
- Who is the Father of Our Country?
- Where does the Congress meet?
- Name one right in the Bill of Rights
- When is Columbus Day?
- What country is in the north of the United States?
- Who elects Congress?
- Who lived here first?
- What is the capital of the United States?
- What do we pay to the government?
- When is Thanksgiving?
How does the U.S citizenship writing test work?
The writing test is administered on the same digital tablet that was used for the reading test. A USCIS officer will dictate up to three sentences, and you must write them exactly as you hear them using a stylus pen.
To pass, you must correctly write one of the three sentences. Once you successfully write a valid sentence, the officer will stop the test and move on to the next section.
Do not use abbreviations or substitute synonyms. You must write the exact words dictated.
| You Pass If… | You Fail If… |
| You write 1 of the 3 dictated sentences correctly. | You cannot write any of the 3 sentences. |
| Your sentence maintains the original meaning. | You write only random words or leave it blank. |
| You make minor spelling/punctuation errors that don’t change meaning. | You write a sentence with a completely different meaning. |
| You write numbers as digits (5) or words (five)—both are okay. | You use abbreviations (e.g., writing “USA” instead of “United States”). |
| You omit small articles (a, the) but the core meaning stays. | Your handwriting is illegible to the officer. |
Official USCIS writing vocabulary 2026
Below is the updated official writing vocabulary for 2026.
Just like the reading section, USCIS provides official flashcards to help you memorize the spelling of these specific terms.
| Category | Words to Study |
|---|---|
| People | -Adams – Lincoln -Washington |
| Civis | -American Indians -capital -citizens -Civil War -Congress -Father of Our Country -flag -free -freedom of speech -President -right -Senators -state/states -White House |
| Places | -Alaska -California -Canada -Delaware -Mexico -New York City -United States -Washington -Washington, D.C. |
| Months | -February -May -June -July -September -October -November |
| Holidays | -Presidents’ Day -Memorial Day -Flag Day -Independence Day -Labor Day -Columbus Day -Thanksgiving |
| Verbs | -can -come -elect -have/has -is/are/was/be -lives/lived -meet -pay -vote -want |
| Other Function | -and -during -for -here -in -of -on -the -to -we |
| Other Content | -blue -dollar bill -fifty/50 -first -largest -most -north -one -people -red -second -south -taxes -white -one hundred/100 |
Practice sentences for the writing test
Watching a video is great for ear training, but the real challenge is writing the sentences correctly on the digital tablet. Use the video below to practice your dictation, then check your spelling with our official practice list.
Top 10 common sentences to practice:
- Washington is the Father of Our Country
- Congress meets in Washington, D.C.
- Freedom of speech is one right
- Columbus Day is in October
- Canada is to the north of the United States
- The people elect Congress
- American Indians lived here first
- Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States
- We have to pay taxes
- Thanksgiving is in November
Who is exempt from the English test?
In general, all citizenship applicants must pass the English exam. However, there are exceptions based on the applicant’s age and how long they have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
The known rules are as follows: 50/20, 55/15, and 65/20. If you qualify under any of these rules, you will not have to take the English test.
You will also be able to complete the interview and civics test in Spanish or your native language as long as you bring an interpreter.
- Rule 50/20: 50 years old or older with 20 years as a permanent resident.
- Rule 55/15: 55 years old or older with 15 years as a permanent resident.
- Rule 65/20: 65 years old or older with 20 years as a permanent resident
If you have a physical or mental disability that prevents you from learning English or demonstrating your knowledge, you can request a full medical waiver.
To request this waiver, you must submit Form N-648, which must be certified by a doctor.
Tips for passing the USCIS reading and writing test
Below are the best tips for passing the English section of the citizenship exam.
Practice reading daily and record yourself.
There are two factors that can hurt your score on the reading test: poor pronunciation and long pauses.
When you practice, focus on reading full sentences with basic fluency. You don’t need to sound like an Oxford professor or have a perfect accent. What matters is that the phrase is understood without interruptions that change the meaning.
So, it’s okay to have your natural accent as long as you say the correct words.
A good exercise is to record yourself reading, and then listen to it. This way, you can identify mistakes, unnecessary pauses, and hesitation on key words. Show it to a family member or friend for corrections.
Master digital writing on a tablet.
Don’t just practice writing on paper or using your laptop or mobile keyboard; it’s not the same. Many candidates fail because they are not used to writing with a stylus on a screen.
If you have a tablet or a large smartphone, practice writing full sentences on the screen. This will help you gain agility and improve your legibility.
Perform real simulations of the reading and writing tests.
The best way to eliminate nerves is to simulate the interview. Citizen Now is designed to replicate the exact USCIS experience.
- Reading Practice: The app uses voice recognition to evaluate your pronunciation and intonation in real time. If the app understands you, then an officer will too.
- Writing Dictation: You will hear official sentences and must write them down. The system instantly detects spelling errors.
So download Citizen Now and start preparing for your citizenship test.
Study early and consistently.
Don’t wait until the last month to start preparing for the English exam. You should start at least two or three months before your appointment.
If your English level is not very good, start studying as soon as you send in your N-400 application, or even earlier. This will allow you to study without pressure at a slow pace.
There’s no need to burn yourself out. It’s better to take it step by step, understand the content well, and clear up any doubts.
Expose yourself to English every day.
From the moment you start studying, try to consume as much content as possible in English, especially if you don’t use it in your daily life.
- Read short news clips in English.
- Listen to short podcasts.
- Write simple notes about your routine.
- Summarize the civics test material in English.
- Call your relatives and try to speak only in English.
It’s best to consume content related to both the civics exam and your N-400 interview. This way, you will become familiar with the terms.
However, to avoid feeling overwhelmed, you can also consume content related to your hobbies. Such as your favorite TV shows, easy-to-read books, and music.
Gradually, your brain will adapt to English, and you will understand it much better.
FAQs
How many chances are there to pass the writing and reading test?
You have two opportunities to pass the English test per application. If you fail any part of the reading or writing section during your first interview, you will be retested on that section within 90 days.
What is the reading portion of the U.S citizenship test?
You must read aloud one of three sentences displayed on a digital tablet correctly. These sentences focus on U.S civics and history. To pass, you must demonstrate basic reading proficiency by reading the sentence without long pauses or errors that change its meaning.
Are spelling errors allowed on the writing test?
Yes, but with limits. USCIS officers may overlook minor spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors as long as they do not change the meaning of the sentence.
Do you have to speak English to pass the U.S citizenship test?
Yes, unless you qualify for a medical or age exemption. During the entire interview, the officer will evaluate your speaking skills as you answer questions about your N-400 application.