USCIS Reverts to Previous Citizenship Civics Test

On February 22, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will revert to the 2008 naturalization civics test, effective March 1, 2021.

USCIS began implementing a revised civics test on December 1, 2020. Some immigration advocates worried that this revised test, which included 128 possible questions, was too difficult and would create barriers to becoming a U.S. citizen.

The 2008 civics test includes 100 possible questions; the USCIS officer administering the test will ask up to 10 questions, and applicants must answer 6 questions correctly to pass the test.

Applicants who filed their Application for Naturalization before December 1, 2020 will take the 2008 test. Applicants who filed their application for naturalization on or after December 1, 2020, and before March 1, 2021 will be given the option to take either the 2008 or 2020 test. The 2020 test will be phased out for first-time test takers by April 19, 2021. Applicants who file their application for naturalization on or after March 1, 2021 will take the 2008 test.