65/20, 50/20 and 55/15: Citizenship Test Exemptions by Age
If you're 50 or older and have been a permanent resident for 15 or 20 years, you may skip the English test or study only 20 civics questions. See who qualifies for 65/20, 50/20 and 55/15.
Updated
Your age and how long you’ve been a permanent resident can change the test you take. The three exemptions below depend on both. Count from the "Resident Since" date on your green card to the day you file.
| Exemption | Who qualifies | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| 65/20 special consideration | You are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more. | You only need to study 20 specially marked civics questions. The officer asks 10 and you need 6 correct. You can take the test in your own language, and the English test is waived. |
| 50/20 exception | You are 50 to 54 and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more. | You don't have to take the English reading and writing tests. You can take the civics test in your own language with an interpreter. |
| 55/15 exception | You are 55 to 64 and have been a permanent resident for 15 years or more (or you are 65 or older with 15 to 19 years). | You don't have to take the English reading and writing tests. You can take the civics test in your own language with an interpreter. |
65/20 special consideration
If you’re 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more, you study only 20 specially marked civics questions from your test. The officer asks 10 and you need 6 correct. You can take the civics test in your own language, and the English test is waived. See all 20 marked questions.
50/20 and 55/15 exceptions
With the 50/20 or 55/15 exception, you don’t have to take the English reading and writing tests. You still take the civics test, and you can take it in your own language with an interpreter. You study the full list of questions for your test: 128 for the 2025 test or 100 for the 2008 test.
If none of these apply
You’ll take the standard English and civics tests. See how the reading and writing tests work and which civics test you take. USCIS explains its other exceptions and accommodations on its exceptions and accommodations page. If Form N-648 applies to you, bring it to your interview.
Official sources
This guide is based on the official USCIS materials below. Always check them, and your appointment notice, for your own case.
- Exceptions and accommodations (uscis.gov)
Practice out loud with Officer Michael in the app
A Virtual Officer asks every civics question out loud, listens to your answer and grades it like a real interview. All 128 questions, answers for your state, and progress that tells you when you're ready.
Related guides
- 65/20 Civics Questions: The 20 Questions for SeniorsThe 20 marked questions for the 65/20 special consideration, for both tests.
- 2025 vs 2008 Civics Test: Which One Do You Take?Which test you take, and how the 128-question and 100-question tests differ.
- What Happens at the Naturalization InterviewThe interview step by step, and 27 N-400 questions with sample answers you can hear.