The naturalization interview and the English test
The interview covers your Form N-400, your English, and the civics test. This page shows the steps and the official English vocabulary.
What happens at the interview
- You check in and show your appointment notice and ID.
- You take the Oath of Allegiance at the start of the interview.
- The officer reviews your Form N-400 and asks questions about it.
- The officer tests your English: speaking, reading and writing.
- The officer gives the civics test.
- The officer tells you the decision and the next steps.
USCIS may reschedule or split the interview if it runs out of time. The civics test can also happen at a later appointment.
The civics test step
The officer asks the civics questions out loud and you answer out loud. The version depends on your N-400 filing date.
| Your case | Civics test | Pass rule |
|---|---|---|
| Filed before October 20, 2025 | 2008 test, 100 questions | 6 of 10 |
| Filed on or after October 20, 2025 | 2025 test, 128 questions | 12 of 20 |
| Age 65+ with 20 years as a resident | 20-question exemption list | 6 of 10 |
The English test
Speaking
The officer asks questions about your N-400 and everyday topics. You answer in English. This part is not a separate scored test.
Reading
You read up to three sentences out loud. You must read one sentence correctly. The sentences use the reading vocabulary list.
Writing
The officer says up to three sentences and you write them. You must write one sentence correctly. The sentences use the writing vocabulary list.
Reading vocabulary
These are the official words for the reading test. The list is from USCIS.
PEOPLE
Abraham Lincoln · George Washington
CIVICS
American flag · Bill of Rights · capital · citizen · city · Congress · country · Father of Our Country · government · President · right · Senators · state/states · White House
PLACES
America · United States · U.S.
HOLIDAYS
Presidents’ Day · Memorial Day · Flag Day · Independence Day · Labor Day · Columbus Day · Thanksgiving
QUESTION WORDS
How · What · When · Where · Who · Why
VERBS
can · come · do/does · elects · have/has · is/are/was/be · lives/lived · meet · name · pay · vote · want
OTHER (FUNCTION)
a · for · here · in · of · on · the · to · we
OTHER (CONTENT)
colors · dollar bill · first · largest · many · most · north · one · people · second · south
Writing vocabulary
These are the official words for the writing test. The list is from USCIS.
PEOPLE
Adams · Lincoln · Washington
CIVICS
American Indians · capital · citizens · Civil War · Congress · Father of Our Country · flag · free · freedom of speech · President · right · Senators · state/states · White House
PLACES
Alaska · California · Canada · Delaware · Mexico · New York City · United States · Washington · Washington, D.C.
MONTHS
February · May · June · July · September · October · November
HOLIDAYS
Presidents’ Day · Memorial Day · Flag Day · Independence Day · Labor Day · Columbus Day · Thanksgiving
VERBS
can · come · elect · have/has · is/was/be · lives/lived · meets · pay · vote · want
OTHER (FUNCTION)
and · during · for · here · in · of · on · the · to · we
OTHER (CONTENT)
blue · dollar bill · fifty/50 · first · largest · most · north · one · one hundred/100 · people · red · second · south · taxes · white
Preparation steps
- Study the civics questions for your test version.
- Practice the answers out loud with the flashcards.
- Read the reading vocabulary words out loud.
- Write the writing vocabulary words in sentences.
- Check the answers that change before the interview.
Sources
- USCIS citizenship resources in text-only format (reading and writing vocabulary lists, rev. 07/14)
- USCIS: Apply for naturalization
- USCIS: Check for test updates
This page is a study aid. It is not legal advice. Read the disclaimer.