Guide
Three branches of government: who does what?
Learn the jobs of Congress, the President, and the federal courts, how checks and balances work, and what each civics test asks you to name.
4 min read
Citizenship test study guides
Plain answers about the civics part of the U.S. citizenship test, with the USCIS source for every rule.
History
Why the Bill of Rights has ten amendments
Congress proposed twelve amendments in 1789. Ten became the Bill of Rights. Follow the story, then practice the different questions on the two civics tests.
4 min read
History
Where is the Statue of Liberty? The story of two islands
The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island. Learn how neighboring Ellis Island fits into its history, and remember an answer on both civics tests.
3 min read
History
Benjamin Franklin in France: a civics answer to remember
Why is Benjamin Franklin famous? "U.S. diplomat" is an accepted answer on both civics tests. His mission to France explains what it means.
3 min read
Guide
2025 or 2008: which civics test will you take?
Your Form N-400 filing date decides whether you take the 2025 or the 2008 civics test. How each test works, how many answers you need, and the 65/20 rule.
3 min read
History
When did the U.S. citizenship test begin?
How courtroom questions became the U.S. citizenship test, from the first naturalization law in 1790 to the civics question lists used today.
Updated 3 min read