Special consideration
65 or older, 20 years a resident? Study 20 questions, not 100.
USCIS gives long-time permanent residents aged 65 and over a shorter civics list. It is one of the most useful accommodations in the process, and one of the least known.
Do you qualify?
Two things must both be true on the day you file your Form N-400:
- You are 65 years or older.
- You have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years.
If either is not true, the standard civics test applies: the full 100-question list on the 2008 version, or the 128-question list on the 2025 version.
Which set of 20 questions you study depends on the same filing date that sets your test version. Applications filed before October 20, 2025 use the 20 designated questions on the 2008 list; applications filed on or after October 20, 2025 use the 20 designated questions on the 2025 list. Either way it is 20 questions to study, 10 asked at the interview, and 6 correct to pass.
What changes
Instead of studying the whole list, you study 20 designated questions, a fixed subset marked with an asterisk in the official USCIS study materials. On the 2008 test that is 20 of the 100 questions; on the 2025 test it is 20 of the 128. At the interview the officer asks 10 of those 20, and you pass by answering 6 correctly, the same as the standard test.
The 20 questions are drawn from the same subject areas as the full list, so nothing about the format changes. There is simply far less to memorize.
Studying the 20 in the app
Turn on 65/20 mode and the whole app narrows to the 20 designated questions on the 2008 list: the flashcard deck, the category list, the practice tests, and your progress ring, which tracks “X of 20 mastered” rather than a total you do not need. Every question can be read aloud, which helps if you would rather listen than read.
If your filing date puts you on the 2025 list, you can still study your 20 designated questions in the app as part of the full 2025 set, with the same read-aloud audio on every one.
65/20 mode and read-aloud audio are always free. We do not paywall the features that exist for accessibility.
We are not affiliated with or endorsed by USCIS. This page explains the special consideration in plain English; USCIS decides whether it applies to your application. Confirm your eligibility against the current official guidance or with your officer.
Common questions
Who qualifies for the 65/20 special consideration?
Applicants who are 65 years or older at the time of filing and who have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years. Both conditions must be true.
How many questions do I have to study under 65/20?
Twenty. They are a designated subset marked with an asterisk in the official USCIS study materials, 20 of the 100 questions on the 2008 test or 20 of the 128 on the 2025 test. The officer asks 10 of those 20 and you pass by answering 6 correctly.
Can I take the test in my own language?
The 65/20 special consideration is about the civics questions. Taking the interview in your own language is a separate accommodation: with the 50/20 rule (50 or older and 20 years a resident) or the 55/15 rule (55 or older and 15 years) you are exempt from the English reading and writing test and may bring an interpreter, and anyone who qualifies for 65/20 is covered too. You still take the civics test. Check the current USCIS guidance for your situation.
Does 65/20 apply to the 2025 civics test?
Yes. The 2025 test has its own 65/20 special consideration, with 20 designated questions marked by an asterisk, just like the 2008 test. The officer asks 10 of the 20 and you pass with 6 correct. Which list your 20 questions come from depends on your N-400 filing date.
Do I have to pay for 65/20 mode in the app?
No. 65/20 mode is always free. Accessibility and humanitarian features are never behind our paywall.
Just the 20 questions, read aloud.
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