65/20 Civics Questions (2008 Test)

If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years, you only have to study these 20 questions. The officer asks 10 of them, and you need 6 correct to pass. How the 65/20 exemption works covers who qualifies.

Every answer USCIS accepts is listed under each question. These are the same 20 questions marked with an asterisk on the 2008 civics question list. There is no 2008 version of the 65/20 quiz, so use the 2008 practice quizzes to test yourself across the full set.

If you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, your 20 starred questions are on the 2025 list instead.

Principles of American Democracy

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*

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

11. What is the economic system in the United States?*

  • capitalist economy
  • market economy

System of Government

13. Name one branch or part of the government.*

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

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*

  • the Senate and House (of Representatives)

20. Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?*

  • 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 state’s two senators

Checked November 10, 2026 · current answers page

27. In what month do we vote for President?*

  • November

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

  • Donald Trump
  • Donald J. Trump
  • Trump

Current as of November 8, 2026. This answer changes with elections and appointments, so confirm it at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.

Every current answer, with the forms USCIS accepts: see all current answers Checked November 10, 2026

44. What is the capital of your state?*

  • 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.]

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

  • Democratic and Republican

Rights and Responsibilities

49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*

  • serve on a jury
  • vote in a federal election

54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*

  • eighteen (18) and older

56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*

  • April 15

Colonial Period and Independence

70. Who was the first President?*

  • (George) Washington

The 1800s

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*

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

Recent American History

78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*

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

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

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

Geography

94. What is the capital of the United States?*

  • Washington, D.C.

95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*

  • New York (Harbor)
  • Liberty Island

Symbols

97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?*

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

Holidays

99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*

  • July 4

Try the random 10-question quiz or quick study.