If you are applying for U.S. citizenship and you are 65 or older, there is important good news: you may qualify for the modified version of the civics test that significantly reduces the amount of material you need to study.
Who Qualifies?
You must meet BOTH conditions at the time of your naturalization interview: you are 65 years of age or older, AND you have been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least 20 years. Both conditions are required β neither alone qualifies you for the exception.
What Is Different About the Modified Test?
Under the standard civics test, all 100 questions are potentially in scope and you study all of them. Under the modified test, only the 20 questions marked with an asterisk in the official USCIS study materials apply. The officer still asks up to 10 questions and you still need to answer 6 correctly β but those 10 questions are drawn only from those 20 asterisk questions, not the full 100. This means you study 20 questions instead of 100.
The Language Exception
If you qualify for the 65/20 exception, you may take the civics test portion in your native language. You must bring a qualified interpreter to your interview. The interpreter cannot be your attorney, your authorized representative, or in most cases a close family member. USCIS requires a neutral, qualified interpreter.
Do You Still Take the English Test?
The 65/20 exception exempts you from the English reading and writing test as well. However, the officer still conducts the interview in English and you should still be able to understand and respond to basic conversational English. The standard is intentionally more flexible for senior applicants.
Study Tips for Senior Applicants
Study a few of the 20 asterisk questions at a time and review them daily. Ask a family member to quiz you out loud. Focus on speaking your answers clearly β the test is still oral even with an interpreter. If you have concerns about transportation or mobility on interview day, contact your USCIS field office in advance to ask about available accommodations for seniors.