Can you pass the new US citizenship test?
Would you be able to pass a U.S. citizenship test on America’s government and history? This week, it got harder.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began using a revised civics test Monday for aspiring citizens applying for naturalization on or after Oct. 20. Applicants are asked 20 questions, chosen at random, and must get 12 correct to pass. The new test has a larger pool of 128 questions from which to choose. There’s a greater focus on American history, and some revised questions require longer answers than before.
“It’s definitely more challenging, especially for people [for whom] English is not their first language,” said Jonathan Wong, an instructor with USCitizenshipTest, an online tutoring firm that helps immigrants prepare for citizenship applications.
The changes come as the Trump administration has signaled it will increase scrutiny on citizenship applications and threatened to revoke some Americans’ citizenship.
The Washington Post set 10 questions, based on the USCIS study materials — two that return from the old test and eight new ones — to represent the 2025 civics test. They appear as multiple choice questions, unlike the actual test, in which applicants must speak their answers. The correct answers are taken from the USCIS questions list, though the agency acknowledges some questions may have other correct answers.
How does your civics knowledge stack up?
—
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Benjamin Franklin
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
Answer: Thomas Jefferson
This question returns from the old version of the civics test. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence from June 11 to June 28 in 1776, according to the National Archives. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin signed the declaration and were part of the committee that reviewed Jefferson’s draft.
—
Name a power that is only for the federal government.
-Print paper money
-Declare war
-Make treaties
-All of the above
Answer: All of the above
This question returns from the old version of the civics test. Other correct answers on the USCIS guide include setting foreign policy and minting coins.
—
What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?
-Second Amendment
-Sixth Amendment
-12th Amendment
-14th Amendment
Answer: 14th Amendment
This question about the 14th Amendment, which President Donald Trump took aim at this year with an executive order to end birthright citizenship, is new.
— — -
The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
-The Battle of Gettysburg
-The Battle of the Bulge
-The Battle of Yorktown
-The Battle of Plattsburgh
Answer: The Battle of Yorktown
Several new questions ask applicants to name “important events” during certain periods of history. The USCIS guide lists six answers for the American Revolution: Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, Valley Forge, Yorktown, Saratoga and Washington crossing the Delaware.
—
Why were the Federalist Papers important?
-They supported passing the Constitution
-They stoked tensions leading to the Civil War
-They inspired Americans to break from the British crown
-They inspired the Declaration of Independence
Answer: They supported passing the Constitution
The previous test asked applicants to name one author of the Federalist Papers (James Madison, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton). That question is still present, but in the new test, applicants may also be asked to explain the papers’ importance.
—
James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
-First secretary of state
-Helped draft the Declaration of Independence
-Founded the University of Virginia
-President during the War of 1812
Answer: President during the War of 1812
The new test spotlights Madison — the fourth U.S. president and the “Father of the Constitution” — for the first time. Another new question similarly asks applicants about fellow Founding Father and Federalist Papers cowriter Alexander Hamilton.
—
When did all women get the right to vote?
-1919
-1920
-1925
-1931
Answer: 1920
This question is new on the 2025 test. The 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920. The previous test included a question about women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony.
—
Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
-To defend the U.S. from Iraqi threats
-To secure oil in Kuwait
-To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
-To defeat Saddam Hussein
Answer: To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
Several new questions ask why the U.S. entered wars, including World War I (“because Germany attacked U.S. ships”) and the Korean War (“to stop the spread of communism”). This is the only correct answer given for the question about the Persian Gulf War, the most recent conflict that USCIS asks about in this way.
—
Name one example of an American innovation.
-The light bulb
-The stethoscope
-The computer
-The electromagnet
Answer: The light bulb
This question is new. The USCIS guide lists seven innovations: light bulbs, automobiles, skyscrapers, airplanes, assembly lines, integrated circuits and the moon landing. Were you thinking of something else? USCIS acknowledged in its guide that “there may be additional correct answers to the civics questions.” It states that “applicants are encouraged to respond to the questions using the answers provided.”
—
What is Memorial Day?
-A holiday to honor military history
-A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
-A holiday to mark the beginning of summer
-A holiday to honor veterans
Answer: A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
There are new questions asking applicants to explain why the U.S. celebrates Independence Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
—
6-10: You passed. For the actual test, applicants are asked 20 questions and must get 12 correct to pass.
0-5: You failed. For the actual test, applicants are asked 20 questions and must get 12 correct to pass.
—
• Emma Uber contributed to this report.