The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a Federal Register notice today announcing sweeping changes to the naturalization civics test. Starting October 18, 2025, new applicants will face a significantly longer and more challenging test designed to assess their knowledge of U.S. history and government more rigorously. Those who already filed their applications — or who do so before October 18 — will still take the simpler 2008 version of the test.
The update represents the first significant revision to citizenship testing standards in years, marking the return of the 2020 test format, which was briefly implemented but ultimately discontinued, with some modifications.
“This 2025 version of the test carries forward the major elements of the 2020 test, including making the test longer, expanding the pool of possible questions, and increasing the number of correct answers necessary to pass,” said Erik Finch, director of global operations at Boundless and a former USCIS officer. “The key difference from the 2020 proposal is that, instead of asking all 20 questions, regardless of the number of correct or incorrect answers provided by the applicant, the officer will now stop administering the test once the applicant has either passed or failed.”
Key Policy Details
Summary of Changes
| New Test (2025 Version, Effective October 18) | Current Test (2008 Version) |
|---|---|
| Up to 20 questions | Up to 10 questions |
| Officers choose from a pool of 128 possible questions | Officers choose from a pool of 100 possible questions |
| Applicants must correctly answer 12 questions to pass (9 incorrect answers result in failure) | Applicants must correctly answer 6 questions to pass (5 incorrect answers result in failure) |
| Officers will stop administering the test once you’ve passed or failed, rather than asking all 20 questions (as required by the 2020 Naturalization Civics Test) | Officers will stop administering the test once you’ve passed or failed |
Additional Notes
- Special provisions: Applicants aged 65 or older who have maintained lawful permanent residence for at least 20 years will continue taking a simplified 10-question version from a specially selected bank, requiring 6 correct answers to pass.
- Enhanced vetting measures: USCIS is simultaneously tightening overall naturalization standards, including stricter reviews of disability exceptions, enhanced assessment of “good moral character,” and the resumption of neighborhood checks to verify eligibility requirements.
- English language test: This USCIS notice does not change the English language exam component of the naturalization test (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding).
What This Means for U.S. Immigrants
For individuals pursuing U.S. citizenship, the expanded question bank will cover a broader range of topics, setting a higher standard for civic knowledge and requiring more extensive preparation. This may be especially challenging for immigrants whose first language is not English, as they may need more time to study, potentially lengthening an already long path to citizenship.
For current naturalization applicants:
Anyone who files for naturalization before October 18, 2025 — or already has a pending application — will take the shorter, simpler 2008 version of the test. This creates a narrow but significant 30-day window for current applicants to secure testing under the existing standards.
For future naturalization applicants:
Those planning to file for naturalization after October 18, 2025 must prepare for the more comprehensive test content and should consider factoring additional study time into their immigration timelines.
Note:
USCIS will publish updated study materials and guides while temporarily maintaining resources for those taking the current version.
Impact on U.S. Employers
For U.S. businesses and HR professionals, the enhanced testing standards introduce new complexities into employee case management and long-term workforce planning. Companies with international employees in the naturalization process should anticipate longer citizenship approval cycles and provide additional support for employees, including new study resources, time off to prepare for the exam, and legal guidance when necessary.
Looking Ahead
The decision to update the civics test is part of the Trump administration’s broader initiative to implement more restrictive immigration policies and apply more scrutiny to those navigating the immigration process. Supporters of the change argue that enhanced standards promote assimilation and shared civic values. Critics warn that the more difficult test adds yet another barrier to an already highly scrutinized application process, making it even harder for immigrants to become U.S. citizens.
As the new changes to the civics exam are implemented, Boundless will provide additional updates to help immigrants, families, and employers navigate the evolving path to U.S. citizenship with confidence.