English Test

There are three components of the English test: speaking, reading, and writing. According to the law, an applicant must demonstrate: “an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak…simple words and phrases…in ordinary usage in the English language. ” This means that to be eligible for naturalization, you must be able to read, write, and speak basic English.

You are required to pass each of the three components of the English test with the exception of applicants who qualify as: 50 years of age or older AND a permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; 55 years of age or older AND a permanent resident for at least 15 years at the time of filing the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; or, any person who is unable to demonstrate an understanding of English because of a medically determinable physical and/or medical impairment as determined by an approved Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.

Speaking Portion

Your ability to speak English will be determined by the USCIS Officer from your answers to questions normally asked during the eligibility interview on the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

Reading Portion

Each reading test administered to you will contain no more than three (3) sentences. You must read one (1) out of three (3) sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to read in English. To help you prepare, USCIS released the reading vocabulary list below containing all the words found in the English reading portion of the naturalization test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.

People

Abraham Lincoln
George Washington

Civics

American flag
Bill of Rights
Capital
Citizen
City
Congress
Country
Father of Our Country
Government
President
Right
Senators
State/states
White House

Places

America
United States
U.S.

Holidays

Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Flag Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Thanksgiving

Questions Words

How
What
When
Where
Who
Why

Verbs

Can
Come
Do/does
Elects
Have/has
Is/are/was/be
Lives/lived
Meet
Name
Pay
Vote
Want

Other (Function)

A
For
Here
In
Of
On
The
To
We

Other (Content)

Colors
Dollar bill
First
Largest
Many
Most
North
One
People
Second
South

Writing Portion

Each writing test administered to you will contain no more than three (3) sentences. You must write one (1) out of three (3) sentences correctly in order to demonstrate an ability to write in English. To help you prepare, USCIS released the writing vocabulary list below containing all the words found in the English writing portion of the naturalization test. The content focuses on civics and history topics.