Quiz: President, Courts, and Federalism

Twenty-five questions on the presidency and Cabinet, the Supreme Court, and the powers reserved to the federal government and the states.

Choose one answer, then check it. Each answer shows every response USCIS accepts plus a short explanation. Use the number keys to choose and Enter to check.

Question 1 of 250 correct

System of GovernmentQuestion 1 of 25

The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

Two years
Six years
For life
Four years

System of GovernmentQuestion 2 of 25

The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

Because of the 10th Amendment
Because of the 22nd Amendment
Because of the 1st Amendment
Because of the 14th Amendment

System of GovernmentQuestion 3 of 25

What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Barack Obama
Donald Trump
Joe Biden
Kamala Harris

System of GovernmentQuestion 4 of 25

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

JD Vance
Tim Walz
Mike Pence
Kamala Harris

System of GovernmentQuestion 5 of 25

If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?

The Secretary of State
The Chief Justice
The Vice President
The Speaker of the House

System of GovernmentQuestion 6 of 25

Name one power of the president.

Declares war
Writes federal laws
Signs bills into law
Prints paper money

System of GovernmentQuestion 7 of 25

Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

The Secretary of Defense
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Vice President
The President

System of GovernmentQuestion 8 of 25

Who signs bills to become laws?

The Speaker of the House
The President
The Vice President
The Chief Justice

System of GovernmentQuestion 9 of 25

Who vetoes bills?

The states
The President
Congress
The Supreme Court

System of GovernmentQuestion 10 of 25

Who appoints federal judges?

The President
The states
The Chief Justice
Congress

System of GovernmentQuestion 11 of 25

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

The Supreme Court
The House of Representatives
The President
The Senate

System of GovernmentQuestion 12 of 25

What does the President's Cabinet do?

Reviews laws for constitutionality
Writes federal laws
Advises the President
Elects the President

System of GovernmentQuestion 13 of 25

Name one Cabinet-level position.

Chief Justice
Speaker of the House
Senator
Secretary of State

System of GovernmentQuestion 14 of 25

Why is the Electoral College important?

It decides who wins each state's Senate seats.
It decides who is elected president.
It approves amendments to the Constitution.
It sets the number of Supreme Court justices.

System of GovernmentQuestion 15 of 25

What is one part of the judicial branch?

The House of Representatives
The Supreme Court
The Senate
The Cabinet

System of GovernmentQuestion 16 of 25

What does the judicial branch do?

Reviews laws
Elects the President
Enforces laws
Writes laws

System of GovernmentQuestion 17 of 25

What is the highest court in the United States?

The state courts
The District Courts
The Supreme Court
The U.S. Court of Appeals

System of GovernmentQuestion 18 of 25

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

Eleven
Seven
Nine
Thirteen

System of GovernmentQuestion 19 of 25

How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?

Three
Six
Nine
Five

System of GovernmentQuestion 20 of 25

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

Four years
For life
Until the next election
Six years

System of GovernmentQuestion 21 of 25

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

To let Congress control the Court
To be independent of politics
To keep the Supreme Court small
To match the length of a presidential term

System of GovernmentQuestion 22 of 25

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John Roberts
Sonia Sotomayor
Samuel Alito
Clarence Thomas

System of GovernmentQuestion 23 of 25

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Give a driver's license
Approve zoning and land use
Print paper money
Provide schooling and education

System of GovernmentQuestion 24 of 25

Name one power that is only for the states.

Declare war
Print paper money
Provide schooling and education
Make treaties

System of GovernmentQuestion 25 of 25

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

It gives the President the power to veto bills.
It abolished slavery.
It guarantees the right to vote at age 18.
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.

Background adapted from One Nation, One People: The USCIS 2025 Civics Test Study Guide (M-1175), a U.S. government publication. Download the study guide (PDF).

President, Courts, and Federalism