65/20 Civics Test: The 20 Questions for Applicants 65 and Older
If you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years when you file Form N-400, USCIS gives you special consideration on the civics test: you study 20 questions instead of the full list. Here are the rules and all 20 questions with answers for both test versions.
Who qualifies for 65/20
You need both conditions on the date you file Form N-400:
- you are 65 years old or older, and
- you have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for periods totaling at least 20 years.
USCIS checks age and years of residence as of the filing date. Turning 65, or reaching 20 years, after you file does not qualify you for this filing.
How the 65/20 civics test works
Applicants who qualify for 65/20 are also exempt from the English test (reading, writing and speaking). The civics test is still required.
Age-based exemptions compared
| Exemption | Who | English test | Civics test |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50/20 | Age 50+ and a permanent resident for 20+ years | Exempt | Required: regular test, in your language with an interpreter |
| 55/15 | Age 55+ and a permanent resident for 15+ years | Exempt | Required: regular test, in your language with an interpreter |
| 65/20 | Age 65+ and a permanent resident for 20+ years | Exempt | Required: 10 of the 20 designated questions, 6 to pass, in your language |
| Medical (Form N-648) | A physical or developmental disability or mental impairment certified by a licensed doctor or clinical psychologist | May be exempt | May be exempt |
The 20 questions for 65/20: 2025 version
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2. What is the supreme law of the land?
- (U.S.) Constitution
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7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
- Twenty-seven (27)
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12. What is the economic system of the United States?
- Capitalism
- Free market economy
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20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
- Writes laws
- Declares war
- Makes the federal budget
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30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? Current official
- Mike Johnson
- Rep. Mike Johnson
- James Michael Johnson (birth name)
Accepted answers as of October 26, 2026. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.
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36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
- Four (4) years
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38. What is the name of the President of the United States now? Current official
- Donald J. Trump
- Donald Trump
- Trump
Accepted answers as of October 26, 2026. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.
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39. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? Current official
- Vance
- JD Vance
Accepted answers as of October 26, 2026. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.
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44. Who vetoes bills?
- The President (of the United States)
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52. What is the highest court in the United States?
- Supreme Court
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61. Who is the governor of your state now? Depends on your state
- Answers will vary. District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor. Visit usa.gov to find the Governor of your state.
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66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- The United States
- The flag
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74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
- American Indians
- Native Americans
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78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- (Thomas) Jefferson
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86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
- Father of Our Country
- First president of the United States
- General of the Continental Army
- President of the Constitutional Convention
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94. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
- Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
- Saved (or preserved) the Union
- Led the United States during the Civil War
- 16th president of the United States
- Delivered the Gettysburg Address
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113. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
- Fought for civil rights
- Worked for equality for all Americans
- Worked to ensure that 'people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character'
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115. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?
- Terrorists attacked the United States
- Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City
- Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
- Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania
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121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
- (Because there were) 13 original colonies
- (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
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126. Name three national U.S. holidays. (on the exam, you'll need to name three U.S. holidays)
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
The 20 questions for 65/20: 2008 version
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6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
- speech
- religion
- assembly
- press
- petition the government
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11. What is the economic system in the United States?
- capitalist economy
- market economy
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13. Name one branch or part of the government.
- Congress
- legislative
- President
- executive
- the courts
- judicial
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17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
- the Senate and House (of Representatives)
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20. Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now? Depends on your state
- 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.) Visit senate.gov to find your state's U.S. Senators.
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27. In what month do we vote for President?
- November
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28. What is the name of the President of the United States now? Current official
- Donald J. Trump
- Donald Trump
- Trump
Accepted answers as of October 26, 2026. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.
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44. What is the capital of your state? Depends on 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.) Visit wikipedia.org to find the capital of your state.
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45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?
- Democratic and Republican
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49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
- serve on a jury
- vote in a federal election
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54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
- eighteen (18) and older
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56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
- April 15
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70. Who was the first President?
- (George) Washington
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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
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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
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85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?
- fought for civil rights
- worked for equality for all Americans
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94. What is the capital of the United States?
- Washington, D.C.
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95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
- New York (Harbor)
- Liberty Island
- New Jersey
- Near New York City
- On the Hudson (River)
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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
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99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?
- July 4
How to read this list
- Depends on your state Depends on your state: the answer depends on where you live; use the linked lookup.
- Current official Current official: the answer changes after elections or appointments; give the name of the person serving at the time of your interview.
How to practice
Say each answer out loud, the way you will at the interview. The C-T-ZEN trainer has flashcards and a mock oral exam with all questions of each version; the 20 ★ questions are among them.