Quick Answer
If you fail part of the English or civics test during your first naturalization examination, USCIS gives you a second opportunity to pass the portion you failed.
USCIS generally schedules the re-examination between 60 and 90 days after your initial examination. At the second examination, USCIS retests you only on the portion or portions you previously failed. [1] [2]
That means the weeks before your retest are valuable preparation time. Instead of simply studying everything again, you can concentrate on the particular knowledge or skills that caused difficulty during your first examination.
What Happens If You Fail the Citizenship Test the First Time?
If you fail a required portion of the naturalization test during your first examination, USCIS gives you a second opportunity to pass the portion you failed. [1] [2]
For applicants who are required to test, naturalization includes English and civics requirements. The English requirement includes speaking and understanding English, reading, and writing. The civics test evaluates knowledge of U.S. history and government. Some applicants qualify for exceptions or modifications to these requirements. [7]
USCIS provides two opportunities to meet the applicable English and civics testing requirements: the initial examination and, when necessary, a re-examination. [1]
If you do not pass one part of your first examination, an important first step is to determine exactly which area you failed.
That tells you two things:
- what USCIS will test again; and
- where you should concentrate your preparation.
Failing civics requires a different study plan from failing reading, writing, or another English testing area.
The goal for your second attempt should therefore be more specific than simply:
“Study harder.”
Instead:
Identify the problem.
Practice that problem.
Measure your improvement.
What Part of the Citizenship Test Do You Have to Retake?
USCIS retests you only on the portion or portions that you previously failed. You do not repeat portions of the test that you already passed. [1]
For example:
- If you pass the English test but fail civics, USCIS retests you on civics.
- If you pass civics but fail a required English testing area, USCIS retests the failed English area.
- If you fail more than one required area, USCIS retests the failed areas.
This is important because your preparation after the first examination can become much more focused.
If civics knowledge was the difficulty, concentrate on the questions, concepts, and categories you do not know well.
If reading was the problem, spend more time practicing reading aloud.
If writing was the problem, practice the vocabulary and sentences used for the naturalization writing test.
If understanding spoken English was difficult, add more listening practice.
If you knew your answers but had difficulty responding aloud, make spoken-answer practice part of your daily preparation.
When Will USCIS Retest You?
USCIS generally schedules the re-examination between 60 and 90 days after the initial examination. [1] [2]
That gives many applicants roughly two to three months to work on the area they did not pass.
Instead of treating this period as simply waiting for another USCIS appointment, treat it as a focused preparation window.
Did You Know the Answer When You Saw It but Not When You Heard It?
Add listening practice.
Did You Recognize the Question but Have Difficulty Recalling the Answer?
Practice active recall instead of repeatedly rereading answers.
Did You Know the Answer but Hesitate When Saying It?
Answer questions aloud during your study sessions.
Were Certain English or Civics Words Difficult to Say or Understand?
Practice those words separately until they become familiar.
Did the Interview Setting Make It Harder to Respond?
Use mock interviews so that hearing a question and responding without seeing the answer first becomes more familiar.
The advantage of preparing for the second examination is that you now have information you did not have before your first one:
You know where you had difficulty.
Use that information to make your preparation more precise.
What Should You Do During the 60–90 Days Before Your Retest?
The most useful question after an unsuccessful first examination is not:
“How can I study everything again?”
A better question is:
“What caused me to have difficulty the first time?”
Then build your preparation around the answer.
If You Struggled With Civics Knowledge
Concentrate on the questions and subject areas you do not know well.
Do not spend most of your study time repeatedly answering questions you already know simply because getting them right feels encouraging.
Divide your study material into three groups:
- Know Well
- Need More Practice
- Frequently Miss
Spend the most time on the questions in the third group.
If You Knew the Answers but Had Trouble Understanding the Spoken Questions
Add listening practice.
The civics test is oral. The USCIS officer asks civics questions aloud rather than giving you a written multiple-choice examination. [4] [6]
Seeing a question such as:
“What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?”
and recognizing that same question when somebody says it aloud require related—but not identical—skills.
Practice both.
If You Hesitated When Answering Out Loud
Practice speaking your responses.
Do not make every study session silent.
Hear the question → Understand the question → Recall the answer → Say the answer aloud
Repeat the process until responding feels familiar.
If Difficult Words Slowed You Down
Practice pronunciation separately.
Civics vocabulary includes words that may be difficult for English learners, such as:
- Constitution
- amendment
- representative
- legislative
- Declaration of Independence
- federal
- judicial
- Congress
Instead of struggling through a difficult word every time it appears, isolate it.
Listen → Repeat → Listen Again → Repeat Again
Then put the word back into the complete question or answer.
If You Became Nervous During the Interview
Use mock interviews.
Knowing an answer while studying and producing that answer while another person is asking questions are different experiences.
Mock-interview practice can help you become accustomed to:
- listening without seeing the answer first;
- recalling information;
- answering aloud;
- moving from one question to another; and
- participating in an interview-style exchange.
You are not trying to predict exactly what a particular USCIS officer will say or do.
You are practicing the process of listening, understanding, recalling, and responding.
How Can Civics Prep USA Help You Prepare?
Civics Prep USA is designed to help applicants move beyond simply reading and memorizing civics answers.
Practice the 128 Civics Questions
Work through the current civics questions and identify the questions and subjects that need more attention.
Practice the 128 Civics Questions →
Listening and Speaking Practice
Practice recognizing civics questions when they are spoken instead of relying only on written study, then practice giving your response aloud.
Try Free Citizenship Practice →
Practice Pronunciation
Work on difficult English and civics vocabulary by hearing words and practicing them aloud.
Practice Citizenship Pronunciation →
Practice With Mock Interviews
Practice answering questions in an interview-style format so listening and responding become more familiar.
Try Free Citizenship Practice →
Prepare for Your Next Interview With Confidence
If USCIS has scheduled you for a second examination, use your preparation time deliberately.
Hear the question.
Understand it.
Recall the answer.
Say it aloud.
Repeat.
The goal is not simply to recognize the correct answer when you see it on a screen.
The goal is to be ready to understand the question and respond when you hear it during your interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Chances Do You Get to Pass the Citizenship Test?
USCIS gives an applicant two opportunities to pass the required English and civics testing: the initial examination and one re-examination. [1]
If I Pass English but Fail Civics, Do I Have to Take English Again?
No. USCIS retests only the portion or portions you previously failed.
If I Fail Only One Part of the English Test, Do I Repeat Everything?
No. USCIS retests the failed area rather than requiring you to repeat portions you passed.
How Soon Will USCIS Schedule My Second Citizenship Test?
USCIS generally schedules the re-examination between 60 and 90 days after the initial examination. [2]
What Happens If I Fail the Citizenship Test Twice?
USCIS denies the naturalization application if you fail to pass any required portion of the naturalization tests after two attempts. [1]
Do I Take the 2008 or 2025 Civics Test?
If you filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 Civics Test. If you filed on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 Civics Test. [3]
How Many Questions Can I Get Wrong on the 2025 Civics Test?
The 2025 Civics Test requires 12 correct answers out of up to 20 questions. USCIS stops the test after nine incorrect answers because a passing score can no longer be reached. [4]
Is the Citizenship Civics Test Multiple Choice?
No. The USCIS civics test is oral. A USCIS officer asks the civics questions aloud and the applicant answers orally.
Are There Exceptions to the English or Civics Test Requirements?
Yes. Some applicants qualify for exceptions or modifications based on factors including age, years as a lawful permanent resident, or qualifying disabilities or impairments. [7]
Sources
- USCIS Policy Manual — Volume 12, Part E, Chapter 2: English and Civics Testing
- USCIS Policy Manual — Volume 12, Part B, Chapter 4: Results of the Naturalization Examination
- USCIS — Check for Test Updates
- USCIS — 2025 Civics Test
- USCIS — 128 Civics Questions and Answers, 2025 Version
- USCIS — Civics Questions and Answers, 2008 Version
- USCIS — Exceptions and Accommodations
Last reviewed: August 8, 2026
This article provides general educational information about the U.S. naturalization testing process. It is not legal advice.
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