Special rules
The 65/20 rule for the citizenship test: who qualifies and what to study
Key takeaways
- You qualify if you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more when you file.
- You study only the 20 questions marked with a star.
- The officer asks 10 of them. You need 6 correct to pass.
- You may take the civics test in the language of your choice.
The 65/20 rule, called special consideration, makes the civics test much shorter for older long-term residents. Here is who qualifies, what changes, and the 20 questions to study.
Who qualifies for 65/20
You qualify if you are 65 years old or older and you have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years. Age and residence are counted when you file your application.
This rule works alongside the English exemptions described below.
What changes
- You study 20 questions instead of 128. They are marked with a star on the official list.
- The officer asks 10 of those 20.
- You need at least 6 correct answers out of 10, which is 60 percent.
- You may take the civics test in the language of your choice. If you do, you generally bring an interpreter. Check your appointment notice.
To learn more about language options, see taking the test in another language. To check whether you can apply at all, see the citizenship requirements.
The 20 starred questions
These are the 20 questions, with every official answer. A star marks each one. Four of them have answers that change or depend on you, and we explain those separately.
Question 2 *
What is the supreme law of the land?
- (U.S.) Constitution
Question 7 *
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
- Twenty-seven (27)
Question 12 *
What is the economic system of the United States?
- Capitalism
- Free market economy
Question 20 *
Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
- Writes laws
- Declares war
- Makes the federal budget
Question 30 *
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
This answer changes after elections. See the current answer.
Question 36 *
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
- Four (4) years
Question 38 *
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
This answer changes after elections. See the current answer.
Question 39 *
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
This answer changes after elections. See the current answer.
Question 44 *
Who vetoes bills?
- The President (of the United States)
Question 52 *
What is the highest court in the United States?
- Supreme Court
Question 66 *
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- The United States
- The flag
Question 74 *
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
- American Indians
- Native Americans
Question 78 *
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- (Thomas) Jefferson
Question 86 *
George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
- “Father of Our Country”
- First president of the United States
- General of the Continental Army
- President of the Constitutional Convention
Question 94 *
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
- Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
- Saved (or preserved) the Union
- Led the United States during the Civil War
- 16th president of the United States
- Delivered the Gettysburg Address
Question 113 *
Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
- Fought for civil rights
- Worked for equality for all Americans
- Worked to ensure that people would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”
Question 115 *
What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?
- Terrorists attacked the United States
- Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City
- Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
- Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania
Question 121 *
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
- (Because there were) 13 original colonies
- (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
Question 126 *
Name three national U.S. holidays. Give 3 answers.
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Four starred questions need extra care
Four of the 20 have answers that change or depend on you: the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House and your governor. Look up the current names a few days before your interview. See answers that change and the state questions.
65/20, 55/15 and 50/20 compared
These rules are easy to mix up. They are different rules for different groups.
| Rule | Age | Years as a permanent resident | English test | Civics test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50/20 | 50 or older | 20 or more | Exempt | Standard civics test, in your language |
| 55/15 | 55 or older | 15 or more | Exempt | Standard civics test, in your language |
| 65/20 | 65 or older | 20 or more | Exempt | 20 starred questions, 10 asked, 6 correct, in your language |
People with certain medical conditions may also qualify for an exception. Ask USCIS or an immigration attorney about your case.
A sample week of 65/20 study
| Day | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Learn 3 questions. Say each answer out loud twice. |
| 2 | Review day 1, then learn 3 new ones. |
| 3 | Review days 1 and 2, then learn 3 new ones. |
| 4 | Learn 3 new ones, then review everything so far. |
| 5 | Learn the last 5 questions. |
| 6 | Look up the names that change and your governor. |
| 7 | Take two 65/20 mock interviews and review the misses. |
How to study with only 20 questions
Twenty questions is manageable. Learn about three a day for a week, then review. Say the answers out loud. Practice with the mock interview in 65/20 mode, which asks 10 questions and stops at 6 correct or 5 wrong. See our study plan for review tips.
Tips for older learners
- Study in short sessions of 15 to 20 minutes.
- Ask a family member or friend to read the questions to you, as the officer will.
- Use large text and a quiet room. Our course has a larger text setting.
- Say answers out loud. Do not only read them.
- Do not assume 50/20 or 55/15 gives you the short list. Only 65/20 does.
Common questions
Is age measured when I file or at my interview?
Age and years as a permanent resident are counted when you file Form N-400, not at the interview.
Do I still have to take the English test under 65/20?
No. People who qualify for 65/20 are exempt from the English requirement.
Can I take the 65/20 test in my own language?
Yes. You may take the civics test in the language of your choice. Bring an interpreter if your notice asks for one.
Are the 65/20 questions different from the main 128?
No. They are 20 of the same 128 questions, marked with a star.
Keep reading
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and forms can change. For your own case, follow your appointment notice, and ask an immigration attorney or an accredited representative if you have questions about your situation.