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The 20 civics questions for 65/20 applicants (2008 test)

If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more, these are the only civics questions you need to study. The officer asks 10 of them and you pass with 6 correct answers.

These are the questions for people who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025. If that is not you, see the 65/20 questions for the 2025 test.

How the 65/20 rule works

• Who qualifies: you are 65 or older and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years on the day you file Form N-400.
• Civics test: the officer asks 10 of the 20 questions below. You need 6 correct answers.
• Language: you may take the civics test in the language of your choice. If you do, bring an interpreter who is fluent in English and in your language.
• English test: you do not have to take the English reading, writing or speaking test.

Other age-based rules (50/20 and 55/15) and disability exceptions are explained in exemptions and accommodations.

The 20 questions and answers

The question numbers are the numbers on the full list of 100 questions for the 2008 test, where USCIS marks these questions with an asterisk.

1. 6.

   What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? 65/20

   • speech
   • religion
   • assembly
   • press
   • petition the government
2. 11.

   What is the economic system in the United States? 65/20

   • capitalist economy
   • market economy
3. 13.

   Name one branch or part of the government. 65/20

   • Congress
   • legislative
   • President
   • executive
   • the courts
   • judicial
4. 17.

   What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? 65/20

   • the Senate and House (of Representatives)
5. 20.

   Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now? 65/20

   • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.]

   Look up your answer: your U.S. representative, your U.S. senators, your governor and state capital.

6. 27.

   In what month do we vote for President? 65/20

   • November
7. 28.

   What is the name of the President of the United States now? 65/20

   • Donald J. Trump
   • Donald Trump
   • Trump

   Current as of October 5, 2026. This answer can change after an election or appointment — check USCIS test updates before your interview.

8. 44.

   What is the capital of your state? 65/20

   • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.]

   Look up your answer: your U.S. representative, your U.S. senators, your governor and state capital.

9. 45.

   What are the two major political parties in the United States? 65/20

   • Democratic and Republican
10. 49.

    What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? 65/20

    • serve on a jury
    • vote in a federal election
11. 54.

    How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? 65/20

    • eighteen (18) and older
12. 56.

    When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms? 65/20

    • April 15
13. 70.

    Who was the first President? 65/20

    • (George) Washington
14. 75.

    What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did? 65/20

    • freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
    • saved (or preserved) the Union
    • led the United States during the Civil War
15. 78.

    Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. 65/20

    • World War I
    • World War II
    • Korean War
    • Vietnam War
    • (Persian) Gulf War
16. 85.

    What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do? 65/20

    • fought for civil rights
    • worked for equality for all Americans
17. 94.

    What is the capital of the United States? 65/20

    • Washington, D.C.
18. 95.

    Where is the Statue of Liberty? 65/20

    • New York (Harbor)
    • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
19. 97.

    Why does the flag have 50 stars? 65/20

    • because there is one star for each state
    • because each star represents a state
    • because there are 50 states
20. 99.

    When do we celebrate Independence Day? 65/20

    • July 4

Source: USCIS, Study for the Test and Exceptions and Accommodations.