Civics Explained

65/20 special consideration

If you are 65 years old or older and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years, you may study just these 20 questions — the ones USCIS marks with an asterisk.

USCIS, form M-1778 (09/25)

“The USCIS officer will ask you to answer 10 out of the 20 civics test questions with an asterisk. You must answer at least 6 out of 10 questions (or 60%) correctly to pass the 2025 version of the civics test.”

You may also take the civics test in the language of your choice. You can bring an interpreter. This is the one group that does not have to answer in English.

The 20 questions

  1. 2. What is the supreme law of the land?
  2. 7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
  3. 12. What is the economic system of the United States?
  4. 20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
  5. 30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
  6. 36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
  7. 38. What is the name of the President of the United States now?
  8. 39. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
  9. 44. Who vetoes bills?
  10. 52. What is the highest court in the United States?
  11. 61. Who is the governor of your state now?
  12. 66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
  13. 74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
  14. 78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
  15. 86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
  16. 94. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
  17. 113. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
  18. 115. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?
  19. 121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
  20. 126. Name three national U.S. holidays.

Practise these 20

Practice test — The 65/20 practice test draws 10 questions from this list and scores you against 6.