All 128 questions · Guide
The 65/20 rule: the shorter civics test for applicants 65 and older
If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years when you file your N-400, USCIS lets you study a much shorter list — and answer in the language you are most comfortable in.
What the 65/20 accommodation gives you
- You study 20 questions, not 128. They are the ones marked as the 65/20 study list in the official USCIS materials.
- At the interview the officer asks 10 of those 20, out loud.
- 6 correct answers pass.
- You may take the civics test in the language of your choice.
Don’t confuse it with the English exemptions
These are different rules, and people mix them up constantly:
| If you are… | What changes |
|---|---|
| 65+ with 20+ years as a permanent resident | Shorter civics list (20 questions) and the civics test in your language |
| 50+ with 20+ years, or 55+ with 15+ years | Exempt from the English test; civics test in your language with an interpreter — but you still study the full civics list |
So a 56-year-old with 16 years as a resident may test in Spanish, but still studies all 128 questions. Only the 65/20 group gets the shorter list.
The trap inside the short list
Even on the 20-question list, four of the answers change over time — the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, and your state’s governor. A printed sheet of 20 questions goes stale exactly like a printed sheet of 128 does. Here’s how to keep those current.
Where to see the questions
Every question page on this site is marked when it belongs to the 65/20 study list, so you can read exactly what you need — free, with Spanish support:
The answers themselves are free here. What the Naturalizer app adds is the part that matters at 65: fewer questions, revisited on a schedule built for memory, with support in your language and answers practiced out loud — and the 65/20 mode is included in the free account.
Eligibility is decided by USCIS based on your age and residency at the time of filing. Confirm your own case at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates or with your legal representative.