Beginning on April 19, 2021, USCIS is administering only the 2008 civics test to N-400 applicants at their initial interview appointment, regardless of their filing date. USCIS will no longer offer the 2020 civics test at the initial interview, but will continue to provide study materials for the 2020 test for those applicants who are eligible to choose between the 2008 or 2020 civics test at their re-exam or N-336 hearing.
For more information about the 2020 civics test, visit The 2020 Version of the Civics Test page.
If you filed your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization on or after December 1, 2020 and before March 1, 2021, and are currently scheduled for your initial examination (interview) before April 19, 2021, you may choose to take the 2008 or 2020 civics test. All others will be required to take the 2008 civics test.
To help determine if you are required to take the 2008 civics test, or if you can choose between the 2008 and 2020 civics test, follow these two steps:
1) Check your filing date, also known as a “received date” on your N-400 notice at the top left corner (see sample notice to the right).
2) Once you have your received date, go to the table below and find which scenario applies to you based on your filing and initial examination dates.
Which civics test will I take?
| My filing date (also known as a received date) for my N-400 is… | My initial examination (interview) is scheduled… | Which test will I take at my initial examination (interview)? | If I fail the civics test, which test will I take at my re-exam? | Which test will I take at my N-336 hearing?*Applicable for applicants whose N-400 was denied and a request for hearing was filed… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| before December 1, 2020 (12/1/2020). | on any date. | 2008 Civics Test | 2008 Civics Test | 2008 Civics Test |
| on or after December 1, 2020 (12/1/2020) and before March 1, 2021 (03/01/2021). | before April 19, 2021 (04/19/2021). | You can choose between the: 2020 Civics Test or 2008 Civics Test | You can choose between the: 2020 Civics Test or 2008 Civics Test | You can choose between the: 2020 Civics Test or 2008 Civics Test |
| on or after December 1, 2020 (12/1/2020) and before March 1, 2021 (03/01/2021). | on or after April 19, 2021 (4/19/2021). | 2008 Civics Test | 2008 Civics Test | 2008 Civics Test |
| on or after March 1, 2021 (03/01/2021). | on any date. | 2008 Civics Test | 2008 Civics Test | 2008 Civics Test |
Note: USCIS will offer both the 2008 and 2020 tests for a certain time period. For more information, refer to the USCIS Policy Manual Volume 12, Part E, English and Civics Testing and Exceptions, Chapter 2, English and Civics Testing.
