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What happens if you fail the citizenship test

Updated · 6 min read · Built from the official USCIS question lists

Failing one part of the naturalization test is not the end of your application. You have two opportunities to pass the English and civics tests. If you fail any part at the first interview, USCIS schedules a second examination between 60 and 90 days later, and you are retested only on the part you failed (Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part E, Ch. 2).

On this page
  1. What happens at the end of the interview
  2. The retest
  3. If you fail a second time
  4. After a denial
  5. Getting help

What happens at the end of the interview

The officer must give you a notice of results at the end of the interview, whatever the outcome (Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part B, Ch. 4). The outcome is one of three:

  • Granted — the evidence shows you are eligible.
  • Continued — for example because you need to provide more documents, or you failed the English or civics test the first time.
  • Denied — the evidence shows you are not eligible.

Source: USCIS 10 Steps to Naturalization, step 7.

The retest

  • When: between 60 and 90 days after the first interview.
  • What: only the parts you failed. The Policy Manual's example: if you passed speaking, reading and civics but failed writing, you take only the writing test again.
  • Different questions: the officer must not use the same English or civics test forms as the first time.
  • Missing it counts: unless USCIS excuses you, failing to appear for the re-examination counts as a failed attempt.

Use the time well. The civics pass mark is the same — 12 of 20 on the 2025 version, 6 of 10 on the 2008 version — and the free practice test lets you run the full mock as often as you like.

If you fail a second time

If you fail any part of the test a second time, the officer must deny the application for not meeting the educational requirements. Refusing to take a test, or refusing to answer questions, is treated as a failure (Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part E, Ch. 2).

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After a denial

  • Ask for a hearing. You may request a hearing before a USCIS officer on the denial by filing Form N-336 within 30 days after you receive the denial notice. USCIS schedules the hearing within 180 days, with a different officer. At a hearing, the officer must give the parts of the test you failed, and you get one opportunity to pass them (Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part B, Ch. 6).
  • Court review. After the decision on the hearing, you may ask a U.S. district court to review the denial.
  • Apply again. USCIS says there is no limit to the number of times you can apply for naturalization, but you pay the filing fee for each Form N-400 (USCIS commonly asked questions).

Getting help

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

What happens if I fail the citizenship test the first time?

You are scheduled for a second examination between 60 and 90 days after the first interview, and you are retested only on the part you failed — English or civics, or the specific English section.

How many times can you take the citizenship test?

Two opportunities per application: the initial interview and one re-examination. If you fail a part twice the application is denied, but there is no limit to the number of times you can apply again, paying the fee each time.

Do I have to retake the whole test if I fail one part?

No. The officer only retests the parts you failed. For example, if you failed only writing, you only take the writing test again.

Can I appeal a citizenship denial?

You can request a hearing with a USCIS officer by filing Form N-336 within 30 days of receiving the denial. After that decision you may ask a U.S. district court to review it. For your own case, speak to an immigration attorney or accredited representative.

← PreviousWhat to bring to your citizenship interview

Keep going

More free guides built from the same official question lists.

Citizenship test passing scoreThe exact pass marks for both versions, the 65/20 rule, and what a second attempt involves.Read the guide →Citizenship mock testA timed run at the real format, plus how to rehearse the oral interview properly.Read the guide →N-400 interview questions, explainedThe topics the officer must cover from your Form N-400, straight from the USCIS Policy Manual.Read the guide →What to bring to your citizenship interviewThe four things everyone brings, and the originals your own case may need — from USCIS lists.Read the guide →The English test for citizenshipThree parts, a published vocabulary list, and a much lower bar than most people expect.Read the guide →
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