WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration announced on September 18 that it will reinstate a more rigorous version of the U.S. naturalization civics test, expanding the pool of questions and raising the passing threshold. The move is framed as part of a broader initiative to strengthen civic knowledge among new citizens and curb perceived fraud in the immigration system.
What’s Changing in 2025
The updated Naturalization Civics Test—effective for applicants filing Form N-400 after October 20, 2025—revives elements of a format briefly introduced in 2020 during Trump’s first term. Key updates include:
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Question Bank Expansion: From 100 to 128 total questions, with 28 new ones focusing on U.S. history, constitutional law, and government principles.
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Higher Passing Score: Applicants will now face 20 oral questions and must answer at least 12 correctly to pass, up from the current requirement of 6 out of 10.
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Streamlined Testing: Interviewing officers may end the test early once an applicant reaches either a passing (12 correct) or failing (9 incorrect) threshold.
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More Analytical Questions: Simpler, geography-focused queries are being replaced with deeper ones—probing the “why” or “how” of U.S. governance. For example, questions may cover the role of the Federalist Papers or the significance of the 10th Amendment. Even answers are more precise: instead of saying one must simply be “born in the United States,” the updated guide specifies “under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment.”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials argue the test needed tightening. Director Joseph Edlow, who led a similar effort in 2020, said the 2008 version was “just too easy” and vulnerable to rote memorization.
USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser added that the changes ensure “only those aliens who meet all eligibility requirements… are able to naturalize,” while reinforcing expectations that new citizens will contribute to “America’s greatness.”
The civics test has been a requirement for citizenship since the 1950s, when Congress mandated knowledge of U.S. history and government for naturalization. The 2025 revisions, officials say, are designed to bring the exam closer to the original intent of testing civic literacy and loyalty.
