US Citizenship Test to Become More Rigorous in 2025

Significant Changes to Naturalization Civics Test Announced

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant overhaul of the naturalization civics test, set to take effect for applications filed after mid-October 2025. This move reinstates a more rigorous version of the test, similar to one briefly implemented in 2020, and is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to strengthen the integrity of the naturalization process.

Expanded Question Pool and Higher Passing Score

Under the new regulations, prospective citizens will face a substantially more challenging examination. The pool of civics questions from which the test is drawn will expand from 100 to 128 questions. During the oral interview, applicants will be asked 20 questions, an increase from the previous 10. To successfully pass, individuals must correctly answer at least 12 questions, a rise from the prior requirement of 6 correct answers.

The test remains an oral examination, and questions are not multiple-choice. Most questions allow for multiple acceptable answers. A new procedural update will see officers conclude the test once an applicant either achieves the passing score of 12 correct answers or reaches 9 incorrect answers, which constitutes a failure.

New Content and Broader Scrutiny

The updated civics test will introduce new topics, including the 10th Amendment, the Federalist Papers, and questions about historical figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Approximately 25% of the test content is new, while about 75% remains similar to the 2008 version.

These changes are part of a multi-step overhaul that also includes stricter standards for demonstrating 'good moral character,' increased scrutiny of disability exceptions, and the resumption of 'neighborhood investigations' to verify applicant eligibility.

There are exceptions for certain applicants: individuals aged 65 or older who have been lawful permanent residents for 20 years or more will continue to take a shorter exam, answering 10 questions from a special 20-question set and needing 6 correct responses to pass.

Rationale Behind the Changes

USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser stated that the reinstatement of the 2020 civics test aims to ensure that those who become citizens 'are fully assimilated and will contribute to America's greatness.' The administration's objective is to make the test tougher, ensuring that new citizens possess a deeper understanding of American values and history.

This initiative follows concerns from some officials, including former USCIS director Joseph Edlow, who previously described the 2008 test as 'too easy.' The changes are intended to align the naturalization process with statutory requirements and deepen applicants' civic understanding.