The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a comprehensive update to the naturalization civics test, marking the first significant changes in several years. These revisions, set to take effect for applicants submitting their naturalization forms starting 30 days after the official notice was published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2025, are part of a broader effort to modernize and strengthen the American citizenship process.
The updated test will expand the number of potential questions from 100 to 128 and increase the number of questions applicants must answer from 10 to 20. To pass, applicants will need to answer at least 12 questions correctly, up from the previous requirement of 6 out of 10. The content of the test has been revised to include new questions about historical figures such as Dwight Eisenhower, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, as well as topics like the importance of the Federalist Papers and the 10th Amendment, which pertains to states’ rights.
Approximately 25% of the new test content is updated, while 75% remains similar to the previous version. The test will continue to be administered orally during the citizenship interview. One notable change is that officers will now ask only as many questions as necessary to determine whether an applicant has passed or failed, rather than asking all 20 questions regardless of the applicant’s performance.
This overhaul is part of a multi-step initiative to revise citizenship standards, aimed at more accurately assessing applicants’ knowledge of U.S. history and government. USCIS has indicated that additional changes to the naturalization process will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
Critics have expressed concern that the updated test may disproportionately affect certain groups, including older immigrants, individuals with limited education, and refugees or asylees whose education was disrupted. Advocacy groups warn that the increased complexity of the test could overwhelm applicants who already face challenges balancing work, family, and English language classes.
Applicants are advised to stay informed about these changes and prepare thoroughly for the updated test to ensure a smooth naturalization process.
Source: KRON4
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