US Citizenship Test Reinstated with 60% Passing Grade, Requiring 12 of 20 Correct Answers

The Trump administration is set to reinstate a more rigorous U.S. citizenship test, effective for naturalization applications filed on or after October 20, 2025. This move reverts to a version of the exam previously implemented in 2020 and subsequently rescinded by the Biden administration, marking a significant tightening of the legal immigration process. The updated test will require applicants to correctly answer 12 out of 20 questions from an expanded pool of 128 civics questions.

The new test format differs from the 2008 version, which required only 6 correct answers out of 10 questions from a 100-question pool. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spokesperson Matthew Tragesser stated that these changes are designed to better assess applicants' knowledge of U.S. history and government, ensuring new citizens "are fully assimilated and will contribute to America’s greatness." He emphasized that "American citizenship is the most sacred citizenship in the world."

Despite the increased difficulty, the test maintains a 60% passing threshold, as applicants must answer 12 of the 20 questions correctly. Critics, including @SMihm writing for Bloomberg Opinion, argue that "the test still requires a 60% passing grade and remains a poor measure of an applicant’s 'Americanness'." This sentiment reflects broader concerns that the revised exam, while more challenging, may not accurately gauge an individual's integration or commitment to American values.

The reinstatement is part of a broader overhaul of the naturalization process, which includes stricter vetting, reviews of disability exemptions, and renewed neighborhood investigations to assess "good moral character." These measures have drawn criticism from immigration advocates who contend they create unnecessary barriers for long-term residents seeking citizenship. The current pass rate for the 2008 test is approximately 91%, indicating a high success rate under the previous, less stringent format.

Applicants will have two opportunities to pass the oral civics test before needing to restart their application process. USCIS has committed to publishing all 128 potential questions in advance to aid preparation. This policy shift underscores the administration's focus on enhancing the integrity of the naturalization process, though it raises questions about accessibility and the true measure of civic understanding.