Becoming a US citizen as a green card holder requires passing the US citizenship test, which evaluates your English skills and knowledge of American history, civics, and government.
This test is a crucial step in the naturalization process, and newly introduced changes in 2025 could make it more challenging for future applicants.
This article explores:
- When can a green card holder apply for US citizenship?
- Is the new US citizenship test longer and more difficult?
- What are the exemptions for the US citizen test?
- How difficult is the US naturalization test?
- What are the best strategies to use when taking the US citizenship test?
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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.
Can I apply for US citizenship if I have a green card?
Yes, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), one eligibility path is for a green-card holder to apply after at least five years of being a lawful permanent resident, among other requirements.
There are also shorter paths in certain cases, for example if you are married to a US citizen you may become eligible after three years.
So, having a green card is the first step; the next step is meeting the other eligibility criteria and passing the naturalization process.
How is Trump changing the US citizenship test?
Under the Trump administration, the United States citizenship test has been revised to include more questions and a higher passing threshold, making it noticeably more difficult for applicants.
This change emphasizes a deeper understanding of American history and government rather than simple memorization.
The revised test officially took effect on October 20, 2025, marking one of the most significant overhauls of the naturalization process in recent years.
How many questions are on the US citizenship test?
Depending on timing, you might be answering 10 questions or 20 questions for the American civics test.
The number of questions depends on which version of the civics test you receive. Here is how it currently stands:
- For applicants who filed before October 20 2025: the 2008 civics test is used, which involves up to 10 questions from a bank of 100 civics questions; you must answer at least 6 correctly to pass.
- For applicants who file on or after October 20 2025: the 2025 version of the civics test will apply, which is up to 20 questions from a list of 128 possible questions; you must answer at least 12 correctly to pass.
Who is exempt from the US citizenship test?
- You may be exempt from the English language requirement (reading, writing, speaking) if you meet the 50/20 rule (age 50+ and permanent resident for 20+ years) or 55/15 rule (age 55+ and permanent resident for 15+ years).
- For the civics test: If you are age 65+ and a permanent resident for at least 20 years, you may take the civics test in your native language and only need to study a smaller pool (20 questions vs. 100).
- Also, you may get exceptions for disability (medical) under Form N-648 and certain accommodations.
Important: Even with an English exemption, you still typically must take the civics portion unless fully exempted by disability.
How long does it take for a green card holder to get citizenship?
A green card holder can usually become a US citizen after five years of permanent residence, or three years if married to a US citizen.
These are the two main timelines set by USCIS for naturalization eligibility.
In addition to meeting the residency period, applicants must show continuous residence, physical presence in the US, good moral character, loyalty to the US Constitution, and basic English and civics knowledge.
You can file Form N-400 up to 90 days before completing your required residency period.
After submission, the processing time varies depending on your local USCIS field office and application volume, so the entire process from filing to oath ceremony can take around 6 to 12 months on average.
Is the US Citizenship Test hard?
The question of difficulty is subjective, but by objective measures the test is designed to ensure applicants demonstrate basic English ability (reading, writing, speaking) and basic knowledge of US history, government and civics.
Many applicants pass when properly prepared: for example, data show a high overall pass rate.
Yet for someone with minimal English or civics knowledge, or who does not prepare, it may feel challenging.
What is the pass rate for the US citizenship test?
According to the latest data, the pass rate is quite high for citizenship test in the US, which should reassure applicants.
- In Fiscal Year 2022, over 88% of applicants passed the naturalization test at the initial interview.
- Overall, about 95.7% of all applicants passed the naturalization test (including retakes) in that period.
What is the hardest question on the citizenship test in the US?
There is no officially published single hardest question on the citizenship test. The civics portion consists of questions from a published list.
However, applicants often say that questions requiring rote knowledge of US government structure or history can be more difficult — for example: “What is the supreme law of the land?” or “Name one branch or part of the government.”
These are straightforward but unfamiliar to some.
In practice, the hardest questions tend to be those on topics the applicant has not studied (e.g., early US history, details of the Constitution) or those asked under pressure (during interview).
How many US citizens fail the citizenship test?
Because the pass rate is high (around 88% initial pass rate), the proportion that fail is relatively small.
For instance, if 1000 applicants are tested, roughly 120 (12%) might fail at the initial interview, but many will pass after retake.
Data show another ~6-7% pass on their second attempt.
Therefore, while failures do happen, they are not common for applicants who are eligible and prepared.
What is the easiest way to pass the citizenship test in the US?
Here are several strategies that significantly increase your chances of success for the US civics test:
- Study the official materials: USCIS publishes the full list of possible civics and study guides for the English test.
- Practice English skills: For many applicants, the English reading, writing and speaking portion can be more challenging than the civics portion. Use vocabulary lists and practice sentences.
- Mock interviews: Simulate the naturalization interview, review your Form N-400 answers, prepare documentation and rehearse presenting your answers calmly.
- Focus on recurring questions: Some civics questions appear frequently and you can master them ahead of time (e.g., branches of government, rights and responsibilities, key historical events).
- Understand eligibility and document requirements: Make sure your continuous residence and other eligibility criteria are in order to avoid surprises at the interview or application stage.
- Take advantage of classes or community resources: Many local community colleges, immigrant support groups or libraries offer citizenship preparation classes.
By preparing well, you make the process far smoother and increase the likelihood of passing on the first attempt.
Conclusion
Becoming a US citizen as a green card holder is a major milestone and an achievable goal.
The key is eligibility (residence time, good moral character, English/civics knowledge), preparation (study the test materials, practice the interview), and staying aware of the evolving test requirements (such as the changes coming under the newer 2025 civics test).
With the data showing high pass rates, many applicants successfully make the transition — you can too, with the right preparation.
FAQs
What is the fastest way to go from green card to citizenship?
Can a 2 year green card holder apply for citizenship?
No. Having a green card for just two years does not meet the standard 3- or 5-year permanent residency requirement for naturalization.
What is the 7 year rule for green card?
The term 7-year rule is sometimes linked to the Dignity Act of 2025, a proposed federal bill that introduces a seven-year “Dignity Program” for undocumented immigrants.
Under this proposal, participants could obtain legal work and travel authorization while completing the program.
After seven years, they may transition to a renewable “Dignity Status” that provides ongoing legal protections.
It’s important to note that the Dignity Act of 2025 is still awaiting approval and does not affect the existing green card or naturalization process under current USCIS rules.
What questions are asked during a US citizenship interview?
During your naturalization interview, a USCIS officer will review your Form N-400 application, ask questions about your background, check your documentation, and administer the English and civics tests (unless exempt).
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