The 65/20 rule for the US citizenship test, explained

The US citizenship test asks a lot of most applicants: an English test plus a civics test drawn from 128 questions. But the law recognizes that learning a new language and a long list of facts is harder later in life, especially for people who have lived in the United States for decades. The 65/20 special consideration makes the test much shorter for them.

Who qualifies for 65/20

You qualify for the 65/20 special consideration if both of these are true on the date you file Form N-400:

1. You are 65 years old or older, and
2. You have been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for 20 years or more.

Two details matter. First, both conditions are measured on your filing date, not on your interview date. Turning 65 after you file does not count. Second, the 20 years are counted from the date you became a permanent resident, which is shown on your green card as “Resident Since.”

If you are close to qualifying, it can be worth waiting until both conditions are met before you file. A lawyer or accredited representative can help you decide.

What changes for you

	Standard 2025 test	65/20 special consideration
English test (reading, writing, speaking)	Required	Not required
Civics questions to study	128	20 (marked with an asterisk)
Questions asked	Up to 20	10
Correct answers to pass	12	6
Language of the civics test	English	Your choice

The pass mark is the same 60% as for everyone else, but you only need to master 20 questions, and you can answer them in the language you speak best.

The 20 questions to study

These are the 20 questions marked with an asterisk on the official 2025 USCIS list. Each link opens a page with the accepted answers and a simple explanation.

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

Four of these have answers that change: the Speaker of the House (question 30), the President (38), the Vice President (39) and your governor (61). Check the current names on the USCIS test updates page just before your interview, and look up your governor on your state’s official website.

If you filed before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 test, which has its own list of 20 starred questions. The rules are the same: the officer asks 10 and you need 6 correct. Use the official 2008 list from USCIS in that case.

What the 65/20 interview looks like

On the day, the interview follows the normal steps: the oath to tell the truth, a review of your N-400 application, and then the civics test. Because you are exempt from the English test, there is no reading or writing test, and the application review can be done through your interpreter.

For the civics test, the officer reads 10 questions from the starred list and your interpreter translates them. You answer in your language and the interpreter translates your answer back. Once you reach 6 correct answers, you have passed the civics test. If you need a moment, it is fine to ask for the question to be repeated.

Make sure your notice or your attorney confirms that your case is being handled under 65/20, so the officer uses the starred list. Read our step-by-step guide to the citizenship interview to know what happens before and after the test.

50/20 and 55/15: the other age exemptions

Two other age-based exemptions are often confused with 65/20. They exempt you from the English test, but you still study all the civics questions:

• 50/20: you are 50 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more when you file.
• 55/15: you are 55 or older and have been a permanent resident for 15 years or more when you file.

Under 50/20 and 55/15 you take the civics test in your own language, but on the full question list, not the shorter 20-question list. Only 65/20 reduces the number of civics questions.

Taking the test in your language

If you qualify for an age exemption, you may take the civics test in the language of your choice. In general, you bring your own interpreter, who must be fluent in both English and your language. The interpreter translates the officer’s questions and your answers; they cannot help you answer.

Practical tips:

• Choose an interpreter who is calm, reliable and comfortable with civics vocabulary. A family member can often serve, but check the rules on your interview notice.
• Practice together before the interview, using the official questions, so the interpreter knows the terms (for example “Speaker of the House” or “veto”).
• Bring a valid ID for the interpreter if your notice asks for it.

On ReadyPass, every question also has a Spanish page with the question and accepted answers translated, which is useful for Spanish speakers and their interpreters.

Study tips for older applicants

Twenty questions is very manageable with a steady routine:

1. Learn 3 questions a day. In one week you will have seen all 20. Spend the second week repeating them.
2. Pick one short answer for each question and always use the same one. For “What is the economic system of the United States?” just say “capitalism.”
3. Say answers out loud, ideally to a family member who asks the questions in random order.
4. Write the names that change on a card: the President, Vice President, Speaker and your governor. Review the card the night before.
5. Use a large screen. The ReadyPass pages use large text and work on tablets and phones.

If a health condition makes learning hard

If a physical or developmental disability or a mental impairment makes it impossible for you to learn English or civics, you may qualify for a medical disability exception. This requires Form N-648, completed by a licensed medical professional, and it is reviewed separately. Speak to a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative about whether it applies to you.

You can also ask USCIS for accommodations at the interview, such as extra time, a sign language interpreter or a different location. USCIS explains the options on its exceptions and accommodations page.

The 65/20 rule turns a long test into a short one. With 20 questions, a good interpreter and two weeks of steady practice, most qualifying applicants walk in well prepared. See all 65/20 questions on the question list, marked with a gold ★, or read our complete guide to passing the citizenship test.

ReadyPass is an independent study tool and does not give legal advice. Eligibility rules can change; confirm them with USCIS or a qualified immigration professional.