Citizenship Test Passing Score
Pass numbers for every part of the naturalization test, with the stop rule explained.
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How to use the pass numbers
- Read the guide text for the question you came with.
- Use the table of USCIS statements under the tool: each row gives the statement, a link to the USCIS page it comes from, and the date we checked it.
- Open the link when a number matters to your case, such as a pass mark, a deadline or an exception.
- Use the related tools to practise the part you need.
- Check the source page again close to your interview, because USCIS can update its pages.
Statements are quoted from USCIS pages and the Policy Manual and kept short; the explanations around them are ours. The page is information and not legal advice.
Rows in the table are quoted statements, kept short. When a page below the table explains a rule in our own words, the matching row shows the exact USCIS wording so that you can compare the two. USCIS updates these pages from time to time, which is why each row carries a checked date. Say each answer aloud once. Check the source link when a number matters to your case. Come back to anything you were unsure about the next day. Nothing you do here is sent to a server. Keep a note of any question you have to look up twice.
How many questions do you need to pass the civics test?
You need 6 correct answers on the 2008 civics test, which asks up to 10 questions, and 12 correct answers on the 2025 version, which asks up to 20. Both versions use a 60 percent pass mark, and the officer stops the test once either the pass or the fail point is reached.
| Version | Questions asked | Correct to pass | Stops at | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 civics test | Up to 10, from a list of 100 | 6 | 6 correct or 5 incorrect | 60 percent |
| 2025 civics test | Up to 20, from a list of 128 | 12 | 12 correct or 9 incorrect | 60 percent |
The stop rule means you may not reach the full question count. On the 2008 version, the first six correct answers pass you, and the fifth incorrect answer fails you, whichever comes first. The 2025 version works the same way with the numbers 12 and 9.
What happens if you fail the citizenship test?
If you fail one part, you are retested on that part only, between 60 and 90 days later. The parts you passed stand, and a second failure on the same part means the officer must deny your application.
- The officer records the result for each part: reading, writing or civics.
- You are retested only on the part you failed, between 60 and 90 days later.
- The officer does not retest the parts you already passed.
- If you fail that same part again on the second attempt, the officer must deny the application.
How many wrong answers can you have and still pass?
The stop rule turns the pass number into a limit on mistakes. On the 2025 test you pass at 12 correct answers and fail at 9 wrong ones, so with 20 questions you can miss up to 8 and still pass. On the 2008 test you pass at 6 correct and fail at 5 wrong, so you can miss up to 4. The 65/20 test asks 10 questions and needs 6 correct, so you can miss up to 4 there too. The officer stops as soon as either number is reached, which means a run of right answers at the start can end the test early.
| Test | Questions asked | Pass at | Fail at | Most misses and still pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 civics | up to 10 | 6 correct | 5 wrong | 4 |
| 2025 civics | up to 20 | 12 correct | 9 wrong | 8 |
| 65/20 | 10 | 6 correct | 4 |
How this tool works and where the numbers come from
Statements are quoted from USCIS pages and the Policy Manual retrieved 2026-10-26, each kept to a short quote with its source link and checked date.
Sources
Check yourself: common questions
What score do you need to pass a citizenship test?
There is no single overall score. Each part is pass or fail: you must read one of three sentences correctly, write one of three correctly, and answer 60 percent of civics questions correctly. Your ability to speak and understand English is judged by the officer during your eligibility interview.
How many times can I take the citizenship test?
You get two attempts at the English and civics tests: if you fail a part, you are retested on that part 60 to 90 days later, and failing it again leads to denial. If you are denied and request a USCIS hearing, the officer must give the failed portion again.
Is the civics pass rate still 60 percent?
Yes. The percentage of questions required to pass remains 60 percent for both the 2008 and 2025 versions. This page does not publish a national pass rate, so the 60 percent figure is the mark you need to reach.
Does the 65/20 special consideration change how many questions I need?
It changes how many questions you study and how many you are asked, not the pass mark. Applicants who were 65 or older and had been lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years study 20 marked questions, and the officer asks 10 of them. Six correct answers pass, and the test can be taken in your language of choice with an interpreter you bring. See /65-20-civics-questions/ for the list.
Related tools
- US citizenship practice test: Use this when you want to practice answering questions in a test-style format.
- Naturalization interview questions: Read this before your interview to see what the officer may ask beyond the civics list.
- N-652 naturalization interview results: Check this page to understand the form that records your interview outcome.
- 65/20 civics questions: Use this if you were 65 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident when you filed.
- Which civics test do I take?: Read this to confirm whether the 2008 or 2025 version applies to your case.
- Hardest civics test questions: Review these when you want to focus practice time on the questions our own rules flag as harder (USCIS publishes no miss rates).