N-400 interview questions, explained

How the interview starts

The officer introduces themselves, explains the purpose of the interview and places you under oath at the start. Everything you say after that is sworn testimony (Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part B, Ch. 3).

The topics the officer covers

The Policy Manual says the officer's questions must cover all the requirements for naturalization, focus on the information in your application and documents, and in general may include:

1. Biographical information, including marital history and military service.
2. Admission and length of time as a lawful permanent resident.
3. Absences from the United States since you became a permanent resident — the trips you listed on the form.
4. Places of residence and employment history.
5. Knowledge of English and of U.S. history and government (civics).
6. Moral character and any criminal history.
7. Loyalty to the United States and attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
8. Affiliations or memberships in certain organizations.
9. Willingness to take the Oath of Allegiance.
10. Any other topic pertinent to your eligibility.

In practice that means the officer may ask you to confirm details exactly as they appear on your form — your address history, your jobs, your trips, your marriages — and ask the "Have you ever…" questions from the form again. USCIS's own answer to a common question says it plainly: make sure you understand each question on the application and can respond to each one according to your situation (USCIS commonly asked questions).

Why this is also the speaking test

There is no separate speaking exam. The officer decides whether you can speak and understand English from how you answer the eligibility questions. You pass if you generally understand and respond meaningfully to the questions. You may ask the officer to repeat or rephrase a question, and you do not need to understand every word on the application (Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part E, Ch. 2).

The best preparation is to read your own N-400 out loud, question by question, and practise answering in short, clear English sentences.

Study the whole bank on your phone

All 128 questions of the 2025 version and all 100 of the 2008 version, offline, with mastery tracking per category and study in your own language. Free on iPhone and Android.

Reading, writing and civics

Unless you are exempt, the same interview includes the reading test (read 1 of 3 sentences), the writing test (write 1 of 3 sentences) and the civics test — up to 20 questions from the 128 on the 2025 version (12 correct to pass), or up to 10 from the 100 on the 2008 version (6 correct), depending on when you filed. Practise them here:

• Free civics practice test — both versions, with a timed mock interview.
• Reading vocabulary and practice sentences
• Writing vocabulary with dictation practice

Interpreters and representatives

Interpreters. If you are eligible to use one — for example under the 50/20, 55/15 or 65/20 rules — you may bring an interpreter at your own expense. The interpreter must translate word for word without adding their own answers, take an interpreter's oath and show a government-issued ID. USCIS may disqualify an interpreter if it thinks the integrity of the interview is compromised.

Representatives. You may bring an attorney or an accredited representative. They must file a notice of entry of appearance (Form G-28). A representative may advise you on points of law but should not answer the questions the officer asks you (Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part B, Ch. 3).

Before you go