The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced modifications to the civics test for naturalization, allowing immigration officers to halt the examination during the interview process.
As per the official announcement and a report by journalist Maykel González for Miami Herald, the test will be stopped when a candidate has either successfully answered 12 questions—the passing threshold—or accumulated nine incorrect responses, leading to immediate failure.
This is highlighted as the sole alteration in administering the test compared to its 2020 version, according to the agency.
The revised test is more comprehensive and challenging. The civic portion now includes 20 questions, and the passing requirement has increased from 6 to 12 correct answers.
Implementation Details
USCIS clarifies that under the new guidelines, officers are not required to ask all 20 questions if the applicant meets the passing score early or is mathematically unable to pass after nine wrong answers.
In practical terms, this means candidates might pass or fail well before completing the full set of questions.
Key Changes to the Naturalization Process
The changes took effect on October 20, 2025, affecting those who filed their naturalization application on or after that date.
Apart from the new passing criteria and the "test halt" rule, the question bank for the civics test has expanded from 100 to 128 items, demanding broader preparation from applicants.
USCIS has positioned these adjustments within a stricter framework announced earlier for the naturalization process.
In an official statement published in the Federal Register, USCIS noted that this exam is part of a broader initiative to restore the integrity of the naturalization process and align with Congressional intent.
The agency emphasized that naturalization is a privilege, reserved for those who meet all eligibility requirements, including proficiency in English, understanding of the governmental system, and exemplary moral character.
USCIS also reminded that activities such as illegal voting, voter registration without eligibility, or making false citizenship claims automatically disqualify an applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Citizenship Test
What is the minimum number of correct answers required to pass the new citizenship test?
Applicants need to correctly answer 12 questions to pass the new civics test.
When did the new changes to the citizenship test come into effect?
The changes were implemented on October 20, 2025, for applications submitted on or after that date.
How many questions are now on the civics portion of the test?
The civics portion now consists of 20 questions.