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Passing the English and civics tests

Most applicants will need to understand and answer questions in English and to write one or two sentences in English. They also need to correctly answer six questions on a ten-question test about US civics and history.

Who does NOT have to read and write English

If you are over fifty-five years old and have had a green card for at least fifteen years or are over fifty and have had a green card for at least twenty years, you can be interviewed and answer the civics and history questions in your own language and you do not have to demonstrate your ability to read and write. In addition, applicants whose disability prevents them from being able to show their English proficiency can be exempted from either part of the testing or given a modified procedure based on their disability. Disability waivers are very hard to obtain and require an expert medical opinion. See our disability page for more information.

Are the tests hard?

If you completed high school in the US or another English-speaking country, you probably have little to fear in the English language portion of the exam. However, written English tends to be the biggest obstacle for applicants who did not grow up speaking English.

In the new testing system, the sentences you will be asked to write use words that relate to US history and civics. While this might seem harder than the old system, USCIS has given you a vocabulary list to study from. If you take the time to learn the spelling of these words, you should be able to do well.

Vocabulary for the new writing test

PEOPLE

• Adams
• Lincoln
• Washington

CIVICS

• 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
• Washington
• Washington, D.C.
• United States

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/was/be
• lives/lived
• meets
• pay
• vote
• want

OTHER WORDS (what USCIS calls function words)

• and
• during
• for
• here
• in
• of
• on
• the
• to
• we

OTHER WORDS (what USCIS calls content words)

• blue
• dollar bill
• fifty/50
• first
• largest
• most
• north
• one
• one hundred/100
• people
• red
• second
• south
• taxes
• white

If you applied for citizenship prior to October 1, 2008 and get tested prior to October 1, 2009, you have the option of taking the new or old tests. Here are sample sentences to use in studying for the old test.

Sample sentences for the old writing test

He came to live with his brother.

He has a very big dog.

People vote for the President in November.

The American flag has stars and stripes.

The Constitution is the supreme law of our land.

They have horses on their farm.

They live together in a big house.

He wanted to talk to his boss.

Study or get help prior to filing your application, and keep studying while you wait to be interviewed. English spelling is difficult and irregular. You cannot learn it by studying a lot at the last minute.

Citizenship civics and history test

Everyone except for a limited number of disabled applicants has to pass the civics and history test. As noted above, older applicants with long residence may take this exam in their own language.

You will be asked ten questions randomly selected from a standard list. You to answer at least six questions correctly to pass. Take some time to study the questions on the list you will be tested on. Fortunately, whether in English or in translation, diligent study over of few weeks should be enough for you to take the exam with confidence.

If you applied for citizenship prior to October 1, 2008 and get tested prior to October 1, 2009, you have the option of being tested on the new or old list of questions. Applicants over sixty-five have their questions selected from a twenty-five question list. For the new test, the twenty-five questions are marked with asterisks (the star * sign) on the new question list. For the old test, there is a separate twenty-five question list.

Second chance

If you do not meet the English or civics requirements on your first try, you get one additional chance at no charge. Your second interview should take place within two to three months.