English Test: Reading and Writing
The naturalization test has two parts: English and civics. The English part has three components — speaking, reading, and writing — and they are tested in the same interview as the civics questions.
How each component is tested
| Component | What happens | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Judged throughout the interview, from how you answer the officer's questions about your Form N-400 and background. There is no separate speaking test. | Practice the words you will hear at the interview, not a script: the officer asks about your Form N-400 and your background, and follows up on your answers. |
| Reading | You are shown three sentences and must read one of them aloud correctly. | Learn the reading vocabulary, then read the practice sentences aloud. Reading vocabulary → |
| Writing | The officer reads three sentences aloud and you must write one of them correctly. | Learn the writing vocabulary, then practice dictation. Writing practice → |
You do not fail a component by missing one sentence: you are given up to three attempts at reading and three at writing, and you pass that component by getting one right.
Who does not take the English test
Age and time as a lawful permanent resident can waive the English requirement, in which case you may take the civics test in your native language with an interpreter:
- 50/20 — age 50 or older and 20 or more years as a permanent resident.
- 55/15 — age 55 or older and 15 or more years as a permanent resident.
- 65/20 — age 65 or older and 20 or more years as a permanent resident. This waives English and also limits the civics test to the 20 starred questions.
The 65/20 civics rules are on the which test applies to you page. Whether an exemption applies to you is a legal question — check the USCIS guidance or ask an accredited representative.
The vocabulary lists
USCIS publishes a fixed vocabulary for each component, and every sentence on the test is built from those words. The lists below are the 07/14 revision: 64 reading words and 75 writing words. They are reproduced here so you can study, search, and practice them without opening a PDF.
If USCIS updates the lists, the official PDFs on uscis.gov are authoritative.
Start with reading, then practice writing. When you are ready for the civics part, take the 2025 practice test.