The basics
How many questions do you need to pass the citizenship test?
Key takeaways
- 2025 test: answer 12 questions correctly. The officer asks up to 20.
- 65/20 special consideration: answer 6 correctly. The officer asks up to 10.
- Filed before October 20, 2025: the older test needs 6 correct out of up to 10.
- Nine wrong answers make 12 correct impossible, so the civics part can end early.
The short answer is 12. But the way the test ends matters, because you do not always answer all 20 questions.
The pass marks
| Test | Questions asked | Correct answers to pass | Who takes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 civics test | Up to 20 | 12 | Filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 |
| 2025 test, 65/20 special consideration | Up to 10 | 6 | Age 65 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident |
| Earlier civics test | Up to 10 | 6 | Filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025 |
Why the test can stop early
Twelve right answers is a pass, so an officer does not need to keep asking once you reach it. In the other direction, with 20 questions, nine wrong answers means you can no longer reach 12. So the civics part can end before question 20, either because you passed or because a pass is no longer possible.
Reports on the 2025 rules say the officer can end the civics test once you reach 12 correct answers or 9 incorrect ones. Do not count on a specific number of questions, though. Plan to answer every question as well as you can.
Practice tip: our mock interview stops at 12 right answers or 9 wrong answers, so you get used to a test that can end quickly.
Four examples of how it can play out
These examples use the rule of 12 correct to pass and 9 wrong to be unable to pass on a 20-question test. Your officer may stop at a different point, so treat them as a way to understand the math.
| What happens | Result |
|---|---|
| You answer the first 12 questions correctly | You reach 12 correct. The civics test can end there with a pass. |
| You miss the first 9 questions | You cannot reach 12 correct. The civics test can end there without a pass. |
| You miss 8 and get 12 right, with the 12th right answer on question 20 | You pass on the last question. |
| You get 11 right and miss 9 | You do not pass. You needed 12. |
What counts as a correct answer
Each question has a list of accepted answers. USCIS encourages you to answer with the listed answers. Words in parentheses are optional. For example, the answer "(U.S.) Constitution" works with or without "U.S."
Some questions ask for more than one answer. If the question says "Name three national U.S. holidays," you need to give three. One answer is not enough. See our list of common mistakes for the questions that ask for two, three or five answers.
Questions that ask for more than one answer
Here are two examples, exactly as written. Each needs the full number of answers.
Question 65
What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? Give 3 answers.
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of assembly
- Freedom to petition the government
- Freedom of religion
- The right to bear arms
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
Do you need a perfect score?
No. Twelve out of 20 is 60 percent. You can miss several questions and still pass. But do not aim for the minimum. Aim to know all 128, so a hard draw does not hurt you.
How to know you are ready
Take several mock interviews, not just one. If you pass them comfortably, with a few misses to spare, you are in good shape. If one of them ends early with a fail, look at which questions you missed and study those first. Our mock interview follows the same 12 right, 9 wrong rule.
What if you do not pass?
You usually get a second chance. See what happens if you fail the citizenship test.
Common questions
How many questions can I get wrong on the citizenship test?
With up to 20 questions and 12 needed, you can miss up to 8 and still pass. Nine wrong answers make a pass impossible.
Is it 6 out of 10 or 12 out of 20?
It depends on the version. The 2025 test is 12 correct out of up to 20. The 65/20 special consideration and the earlier test use 6 correct out of up to 10.
Does the officer ask all 20 questions?
Not always. The officer asks up to 20 and can stop once the result is settled.
Can I pass the civics test with 11 correct answers?
On the 2025 test, no. You need 12.
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.