Failed the Citizenship Test? Retest Rules and How to Pass the Second Time

If you fail any part of the US citizenship test, USCIS gives you a second chance 60 to 90 days after your first interview, and you only retake the part you failed. If you pass the retest, your case moves forward as normal. If you fail the same part again, USCIS must deny your N-400, but you can ask for a hearing on Form N-336 or file a new application.

Key points

• You get two attempts at each part of the test (English reading, writing, speaking, and civics) on one N-400.
• The retest is 60 to 90 days after your first interview and covers only the part you failed.
• The retest uses different questions or sentences from the first attempt.
• A second failure leads to denial; you can request a hearing (Form N-336, $830 paper or $780 online) within 30 days or file a new N-400.
• For 2025 civics test takers, you pass at 12 correct out of up to 20 questions.

What happens at the end of a failed interview

The officer gives you Form N-652, Naturalization Interview Results, marked to show which part you did not pass and that your case is continued. Any part you passed stays passed. For example, if you passed English but failed civics, you only take civics at the retest.

Under the USCIS Policy Manual:

• USCIS schedules the reexamination 60 to 90 days after the first exam.
• The officer retests only the parts you failed.
• The officer uses different test forms from the first exam.
• If you fail any part again, the officer must deny the application for not meeting the educational requirements.
• Refusing to take the test, or refusing to answer questions, counts as a failure.

You do not pay a new fee for the retest. Watch for the new interview notice in the mail and in your USCIS online account.

What each part requires

Part	What you do	To pass
Speaking	Answer questions about your N-400	Understand and respond meaningfully
Reading	Read sentences aloud	1 of 3 sentences correctly
Writing	Write sentences the officer reads	1 of 3 sentences correctly
Civics (filed on or after Oct 20, 2025)	Answer up to 20 oral questions from 128	12 correct; fail at 9 incorrect
Civics (filed before Oct 20, 2025)	Answer up to 10 oral questions from 100	6 correct; fail at 5 incorrect
Civics, 65/20	Answer 10 questions from 20 starred questions	6 correct

Sources: USCIS naturalization interview and test and 2025 civics test page.

A study plan for the retest

You have roughly 8 to 12 weeks. Here is one way to use them.

If you failed civics

1. Weeks 1-2: find your weak sections. The 2025 list has three parts: American Government (questions 1-72), American History (73-118), and Symbols and Holidays (119-128). Government is the biggest part, and System of Government (questions 16-62) alone has 47 questions.
2. Weeks 3-6: learn by section. Study 10 to 15 questions a day. Say each answer out loud, because the test is oral.
3. Weeks 7-10: full mock tests. Take timed practice tests under real rules. Our free US citizenship practice test uses the 128-question bank, asks up to 20, and ends at 12 correct or 9 wrong, just like the real test. Aim to pass several times in a row before your retest.
4. Final week: update local answers. Check the USCIS test updates page and your governor, senators and representative. As of October 2026 USCIS lists President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Chief Justice John Roberts and Speaker Mike Johnson.

If you qualify for 65/20, focus only on the 20 starred questions and use the practice test’s 65/20 mode (10 questions, 6 to pass).

For more on how the questions are organized, read the 2025 civics test explained.

If you failed reading or writing

• Download the USCIS reading and writing vocabulary lists from the USCIS study page. Test sentences use these words.
• Practice writing short sentences from dictation. Ask a friend to read sentences aloud while you write.
• Do not abbreviate words. Abbreviating a dictated word counts as a failure, even if everything else is right.
• Small spelling or punctuation mistakes do not fail you unless they stop the officer from understanding the sentence.

If you failed speaking

Speaking is judged by whether you understood and could answer the N-400 questions. To prepare:

• Read your own N-400 aloud and practice answering each question in simple English.
• Learn the meaning of words used in the yes/no questions, such as “claimed,” “arrested,” “citation” and “habitual.”
• Practice with someone who can ask questions in a different order.
• Consider an English as a Second Language or citizenship class. Many public libraries and adult schools offer free ones.

On the day of the retest

• Bring the new interview notice and your green card. Bring any documents the officer asked for at the first interview, too.
• Arrive early. Leave time for building security.
• Ask for a repeat if you need one. If you did not hear or understand a question, ask the officer to repeat it. Asking is not a wrong answer.
• Answer briefly. One correct answer is enough. For “Name one…” questions, give one answer you are sure of instead of a list.
• Tell the officer about changes. If your address, job, marital status or travel has changed since the first interview, say so at the start.
• If you cannot attend, contact USCIS as soon as possible to reschedule. Missing the retest without notice can lead to your case being denied or closed.

If you fail the second time

USCIS issues a written denial. You have two options.

Option	What it is	Cost (G-1055 ed. 10/07/26)	When
Form N-336 hearing	A different USCIS officer reviews the denial at a hearing	$830 paper / $780 online	Within 30 days of the denial (33 days if the decision was mailed)
New N-400	Start over with a new application	$760 paper / $710 online ($380 reduced, paper only)	Any time you are eligible

A new N-400 also means new biometrics and a new interview, and if your new filing date is on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test even if your first application used the 2008 version. Check the N-336 page for the current filing rules before choosing.

Exemptions you may have missed

• 50/20 and 55/15: if, on the date you filed, you were 50 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident, or 55 or older with 15 years, you are exempt from English and can take civics in your language.
• 65/20: 65 or older with 20 years as a permanent resident means a 10-question civics test from 20 starred questions.
• Medical exception (Form N-648): a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or clinical psychologist can certify that a disability lasting at least 12 months prevents you from meeting the English or civics requirement. You can submit it after filing.

See citizenship test exemptions for details.

Does failing hurt your green card?

Failing the test does not, by itself, affect your permanent resident status. You remain a green card holder and can apply again. But if the interview raised other issues, such as an undisclosed arrest, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative before refiling.

What to do next

1. Read your N-652 to confirm which part you need to retake.
2. Make a study schedule that fits the 60 to 90 days before your retest.
3. Take the practice test several times a week.
4. Review what to expect at the citizenship interview.
5. Follow the US country hub and updates page for test changes.

General information, not legal advice. Checked against USCIS sources on October 11, 2026.