The U.S. Citizenship Test Will Change in 2025: What Should Applicants Know?

In 2025, the civics test that is part of the naturalization process to become a U.S. citizen will undergo significant changes. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the implementation of a new version of the test that seeks to modernize and standardize its content.

This change affects thousands of immigrants preparing for citizenship each year and has generated both expectations and concerns within immigrant communities and among civic education experts.

What are the key changes to the exam?

The most important changes that will affect future citizenship applicants are summarized below:

·       Increased number of questions

The civics exam question bank will be expanded from 100 to 128. From these, the immigration officer will select 20 questions to be asked during the citizenship interview, instead of the current 10.

The applicant must correctly answer at least 12 of the 20 questions (the same 60% previously required, but on a broader set of topics).

·       Broader topics and deeper questions

The new questions include more topics related to 20th-century history, the judicial system, and civic concepts that require reasoning. For example, the questions will not only ask "What does Congress do?" but also "Why is it important to have a separation of powers?"

This approach seeks to assess not only memorization of facts but also understanding of the democratic system.

·       Changes to how the test is administered

The officer will be able to stop the civics assessment as soon as the applicant has answered 12 questions correctly or missed 9, which streamlines the process and avoids asking unnecessary questions once the result is clear.

·       The English section remains unchanged

The naturalization test also tests basic English skills: reading, writing, and speaking. This part of the test will remain unchanged in 2025.

·       Exceptions for older adults remain

People 65 and older who have been legal permanent residents for at least 20 years will continue to be eligible for a simplified test: they will answer only 10 questions from a smaller pool of questions and must answer at least 6 correctly.

When will these changes take effect?

The new test will begin on October 20, 2025. It will only affect those who file their naturalization application (Form N-400) on or after that date.

Those who file their application before that date will continue to take the current test, the 2008 version, regardless of when their interview is scheduled.

Reactions: Between Support and Concern

The changes have generated divided opinions.

On the one hand, USCIS and some academic sectors argue that the new test is more representative of the civic knowledge expected of a U.S. citizen. They believe the new version promotes a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the democratic system.

On the other hand, immigrant advocacy organizations and community centers warn that these changes could represent an additional barrier for many applicants, especially those with lower educational levels or limited English proficiency. They also point out that the expansion of the question bank could increase applicants' anxiety.

What can applicants do?

For those considering beginning their citizenship process, timing is key. Applying before October 20, 2025, will allow them to take the current exam, which many consider more predictable and accessible.

For those applying after that date, it will be critical to prepare in advance using updated materials that reflect the new exam content. USCIS has promised to release the new question bank and official study materials in a timely manner.

Conclusion

The naturalization civics test is much more than a test: it is a symbolic and practical gateway to citizenship. The changes announced for 2025 reflect an intention to modernize this process but also compel future citizens to redouble their preparation efforts.

Whether they decide to apply before or after the change, the important thing is that applicants are informed, have adequate resources, and receive the support they need to successfully complete the final stage of the path to U.S. citizenship.

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