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Citizenship test for over 65: the 65/20 questions

Updated · 8 min read · Built from the official USCIS question lists

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If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years when you file Form N-400, you get "65/20 special consideration" on the citizenship test. You study only 20 civics questions, the officer asks you 10 of them, and you need 6 correct. You may take the civics test in the language of your choice, and you are exempt from the English test.

The 20 questions are different on the 2025 and the 2008 version, and which version you take depends on when you filed. Both full lists, with the official answers, are below — plus a practice mode that uses only those 20.

On this page
  1. The 50/20, 55/15 and 65/20 rules
  2. Do you qualify for 65/20
  3. Practise the 65/20 test
  4. The 20 questions — 2025 version
  5. The 20 questions — 2008 version
  6. The answers that change
  7. Medical disability exception

The 50/20, 55/15 and 65/20 rules

All three rules are counted on the day you file Form N-400. This table follows the USCIS Policy Manual's own summary (Vol. 12, Part E, Ch. 2):

RuleAge and years as a permanent residentEnglish testCivics test
50/2050 or older, at least 20 yearsExemptFull test (128 or 100 questions), in your language with an interpreter
55/1555 or older, at least 15 yearsExemptFull test, in your language with an interpreter
65/2065 or older, at least 20 yearsExemptSpecial test: 20 questions to study, 10 asked, 6 to pass — in your language with an interpreter

On both versions the 65/20 test is the same size: 10 questions from the 20 specially selected ones, and 6 correct answers to pass (USCIS test updates). If you take it in your own language, you bring your own interpreter, who must be fluent in English and your language (USCIS exceptions and accommodations).

Do you qualify for 65/20

  • You were 65 or older on the day you filed Form N-400, and
  • You had lived in the United States for periods totaling at least 20 years since becoming a lawful permanent resident.

There is no separate form to request it. If you are not sure whether your dates count — for example because of long trips abroad — ask an immigration attorney or an accredited representative before you rely on it.

Practise the 65/20 test

Choose your version, then 65/20 test (10 questions, 6 to pass, multiple choice) or 65/20 flashcards (all 20, said out loud — closer to the real oral test). Questions about current officials are left out of the scored test because their answers change; study them from the lists below.

The 20 questions — 2025 version

For applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025. These are the questions marked with an asterisk on the official USCIS list of 128 (M-1778), numbered as on that list. Any one accepted answer is enough.

  1. What is the supreme law of the land? 65/20

    • (U.S.) Constitution

  2. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? 65/20

    • Twenty-seven (27)

  3. What is the economic system of the United States? 65/20

    • Capitalism
    • Free market economy

  4. Name one power of the U.S. Congress. 65/20

    • Writes laws
    • Declares war
    • Makes the federal budget

  5. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? 65/20

    As listed by USCIS (checked October 20, 2026):
    • Mike Johnson
    • Johnson
    • James Michael Johnson (birth name)

    This can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates shortly before your interview — you must name whoever holds the office on that day.

  6. The President of the United States is elected for how many years? 65/20

    • Four (4) years

  7. What is the name of the President of the United States now? 65/20

    As listed by USCIS (checked October 20, 2026):
    • Donald J. Trump
    • Donald Trump
    • Trump

    This can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates shortly before your interview — you must name whoever holds the office on that day.

  8. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? 65/20

    As listed by USCIS (checked October 20, 2026):
    • JD Vance
    • Vance

    This can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates shortly before your interview — you must name whoever holds the office on that day.

  9. Who vetoes bills? 65/20

    • The President (of the United States)

  10. What is the highest court in the United States? 65/20

    • Supreme Court

  11. Who is the governor of your state now? 65/20

    Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a governor.]

    See your governor on our state-by-state answers — every name there is dated and sourced.

  12. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? 65/20

    • The United States
    • The flag

  13. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? 65/20

    • American Indians
    • Native Americans

  14. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? 65/20

    • (Thomas) Jefferson

  15. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20

    • "Father of Our Country"
    • First president of the United States
    • General of the Continental Army
    • President of the Constitutional Convention

  16. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20

    • 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

  17. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20

    • 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"

  18. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? 65/20

    • 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

  19. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? 65/20

    • (Because there were) 13 original colonies
    • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies

  20. Name three national U.S. holidays. 65/20

    • 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
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The 20 questions — 2008 version

For applicants who filed before October 20, 2025. These are the asterisked questions of the official list of 100 (rev. 08/21); USCIS also publishes them as a separate 65/20 list with its own numbering 1–20.

  1. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? 65/20

    • speech
    • religion
    • assembly
    • press
    • petition the government

  2. What is the economic system in the United States? 65/20

    • capitalist economy
    • market economy

  3. Name one branch or part of the government. 65/20

    • Congress
    • legislative
    • President
    • executive
    • the courts
    • judicial

  4. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? 65/20

    • the Senate and House (of Representatives)

  5. Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now? 65/20

    Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.]

    See your two U.S. senators on our state-by-state answers — every name there is dated and sourced.

  6. In what month do we vote for President? 65/20

    • November

  7. What is the name of the President of the United States now? 65/20

    As listed by USCIS (checked October 20, 2026):
    • Donald J. Trump
    • Donald Trump
    • Trump

    This can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates shortly before your interview — you must name whoever holds the office on that day.

  8. What is the capital of your state? 65/20

    Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.]

    See your state capital on our state-by-state answers — every name there is dated and sourced.

  9. What are the two major political parties in the United States? 65/20

    • Democratic and Republican

  10. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? 65/20

    • serve on a jury
    • vote in a federal election

  11. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? 65/20

    • eighteen (18) and older

  12. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms? 65/20

    • April 15

  13. Who was the first President? 65/20

    • (George) Washington

  14. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did? 65/20

    • freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
    • saved (or preserved) the Union
    • led the United States during the Civil War

  15. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. 65/20

    • World War I
    • World War II
    • Korean War
    • Vietnam War
    • (Persian) Gulf War

  16. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do? 65/20

    • fought for civil rights
    • worked for equality for all Americans

  17. What is the capital of the United States? 65/20

    • Washington, D.C.

  18. Where is the Statue of Liberty? 65/20

    • New York (Harbor)
    • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]

  19. Why does the flag have 50 stars? 65/20

    • because there is one star for each state
    • because each star represents a state
    • because there are 50 states

  20. When do we celebrate Independence Day? 65/20

    • July 4

The answers that change

Several of the 20 depend on who holds office or where you live. On the 2025 list: the Speaker of the House, the President, the Vice President and your governor. On the 2008 list: one of your state's senators, the President and your state capital. The names above are shown with the date we checked them; confirm the national ones on uscis.gov and your own on your state page shortly before your interview.

Medical disability exception

Separately from the age rules, an applicant who cannot meet the English or civics requirements because of a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment may be exempt from either or both. It is requested with Form N-648, completed by a licensed medical or osteopathic doctor or licensed clinical psychologist.

This is not legal adviceThis page explains the general rules USCIS publishes. If you have a question about your own case — an arrest, long trips abroad, taxes, an exemption — talk to an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative. USCIS lists how to find legal services.
Practise the real questions free The free citizenship practice test has every official question of both versions, a 20-question mock interview and flashcards. Study by topic, check the answers for your state, or print the 2025 / 2008 flashcards.

Frequently asked

How many questions is the citizenship test if you are over 65?

If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years when you file Form N-400, you study 20 questions, the officer asks 10 of them, and you need 6 correct to pass.

Is there an English test for citizenship over 65?

Not if you also have 20 years as a permanent resident. The USCIS Policy Manual lists applicants 65 or older with at least 20 years as a permanent resident at the time of filing as exempt from the English requirement. The 50/20 and 55/15 rules also exempt applicants from English.

Can I take the 65/20 citizenship test in Spanish?

Yes. Under 65/20 you may take the civics test in the language of your choice. You must bring your own interpreter who is fluent in English and your language.

Are the 65/20 questions the same on the 2025 and 2008 tests?

No. Each version has its own 20 starred questions. Study the list for the version you take, which depends on whether you filed Form N-400 before or on/after October 20, 2025.

Do I need to apply for the 65/20 exemption?

There is no separate form. USCIS applies it based on your age and your years as a permanent resident on the date you filed Form N-400.

← PreviousCitizenship test flashcardsNext →The English test for citizenship

Keep going

More free guides built from the same official question lists.

The citizenship test in SpanishWho can take the test in Spanish, and how to study bilingually if you cannot.Read the guide →Citizenship test passing scoreThe exact pass marks for both versions, the 65/20 rule, and what a second attempt involves.Read the guide →128 civics questions and answersEverything in the 2025 bank: what was added, what was dropped, and how the 20-question interview is scored.Read the guide →100 civics questions and answersStill the live test for anyone who filed before 20 October 2025. The full list and how it is scored.Read the guide →Civics test questions about your stateThe four questions no study list can answer for you — and the state capital table.Read the guide →
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