How To Prepare and Pass the U.S. Citizenship Test

The U.S. citizenship or Naturalization test is rather complex. Since its revision in December 2020, critics say it’s even more demanding, especially for English learners. This gives you all the more reason to buckle down, study, and practice to ensure you pass the test and become a U.S. citizen. You can rely on DoNotPay to assist you along the way!

What Is the U.S. Citizenship Test?

The U.S. citizenship test consists of two parts:

The civics test
The English test

The Civics Test

The civics test is an oral test that covers questions about American history and government. An officer from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will ask you 20 questions out of the potential 128. You have to answer 12 correctly to pass the test.

The English Test

The English test is designed to check your English speaking, reading, and writing skills:

Speaking—A USCIS officer will ask you questions about your application and eligibility
Reading—You will have to read one sentence correctly out of three. You can revise a list of words that could appear in the test sentences
Writing—You have to write one out of three sentences correctly. A vocabulary list is available to applicants so that they can see what to expect

Can I Take the U.S. Citizenship Test?

The USCIS created an extensive eligibility worksheet where you can check whether you may apply for U.S. citizenship. Some of the most crucial requirements include being at least 18 years old and not having committed certain crimes.

You could be exempt from taking one part of the U.S. citizenship test. Check out if you qualify for an exception in the table below:

Details	I Must Take the English Test	I Must Take the Civics Test
You are 50 or older and have lived in the U.S. for 20 years as a permanent resident	No	Yes
You are 55 or older and have lived in the U.S. for 15 years as a permanent resident	No	Yes
You are 65 or older and have lived in the U.S. for 20 years as a permanent resident	No	Yes You only have to study the marked 20/128, and you can take the test in the language of your choice A USCIS agent will ask you 10 questions, and you need to answer 6 of them correctly

You can check out a detailed overview of exceptions and accommodations on the USCIS website, including those for applicants with a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment.

How To Study for the Citizenship Test

You should take studying for the U.S. citizenship test seriously and allot enough time to prepare for it. You can make a study plan to make sure you get a lot of practice and test your knowledge before the real deal.

Here are ways you can prepare for the test:

Go over all the study materials on the USCIS website. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, and you’ll find Civics questions & answers, Civics flashcards, a pocket study guide, and the English language study materials
Take DoNotPay’s U.S. citizenship practice tests
Write notes and revise
Attend preparation classes
Let your friends or family members quiz you
Read books, magazines, and newspapers in English
Record yourself reading or speaking and listen to the recordings
Study and practice using Quizlet

U.S. Citizenship Test Preparation With DoNotPay

While you study for the U.S. citizenship test, DoNotPay is at your disposal for practicing the civics test. Use our app to take civics practice tests and be fully prepared for the big day.

One of the reasons our Government Test Prep feature is so convenient is the option to pick how many questions you want to go over—10, 20, or 30.

Another benefit is that you can retry a question immediately or get the score first and then retake the test.

Do the following if you want to prep with DoNotPay and ace the U.S. citizenship test:

Visit DoNotPay in any web browser
Enter U.S. Citizenship Test
Decide on the test length
Start the test

Since repetition is the mother of learning, take DoNotPay’s practice tests until you learn the questions inside out.

Once you become a U.S. citizen, our Government Test Prep may come in handy in other areas! Here is a list of all the government tests we can help you prepare for:

DoNotPay can also provide tips on getting the best ASVAB test scores. With our app, you’ll schedule a DMV driving test appointment with ease and nail the written test.

The Citizenship Test Application

To apply for U.S. citizenship, the first thing you need to do is complete the N-400 application form following the USCIS instructions. You can either file it online or send it via mail. If you want to mail your application, click on Where To File on the application page and follow the instructions based on your location.

The next step is a biometric services appointment at an application support center (ASC). The USCIS will notify you if they need to take your biometrics.

Once you complete the first two steps, the USCIS will mail you an appointment notice for your U.S. citizenship interview.

How Much Does Taking the Citizenship Test Cost?

The price of the U.S. citizenship test varies depending on certain factors, such as your age. Here’s how to determine the cost:

Go to the USCIS fee calculator
Choose the form N-400 from the drop-down menu
Tap on Submit
Type in your age and hit Next
Answer the question about being a military applicant
Click on Calculate

Once you complete the steps, you’ll see your total fee cost. Typically, it’s $725. Below the price, you’ll find the instructions about how to pay the fees. You may be eligible for a fee waiver, so make sure to read everything carefully.

What Happens After the Test?

If the USCIS approves your application and you pass the citizenship test, the final part is to take the Oath of Allegiance. The USCIS will send you a notice with the info about the Oath of Allegiance ceremony. After the ceremony, you will receive your Certificate of Naturalization and officially become a U.S. citizen.

DoNotPay—Easy Solution to Complicated Problems

DoNotPay doesn’t only provide assistance with government test prep. Our platform also boasts numerous practical features to cut through the everyday red tape.

Open DoNotPay in any web browser, and discover how easy it can be to: