Failed the Citizenship Test? Here's What Happens Next

Updated: October 30, 2026

If you fail the English or civics test at your naturalization interview, your case isn't over. USCIS gives you one retest of the part you failed, usually 60 to 90 days after your first interview. You only retake what you failed. If you fail the same part a second time, your N-400 is denied. Even then you can request a hearing with Form N-336 or file a new application.

What happens right after you fail

At the end of the interview, you receive Form N-652, Naturalization Interview Results. If you failed a test, it usually shows that your case is continued, and which part you failed:

English speaking
English reading
English writing
Civics

Keep the N-652. It's your record of what you passed and what you need to retake. Parts you passed are done, and you won't be tested on them again for this application.

How the retest works

When: USCIS schedules a second interview, generally 60 to 90 days after the first. You'll get a new notice by mail and in your online account.
What: Only the failed portion. If you failed civics, you answer civics questions again. If you failed writing, you write sentences again.
Same version: You take the same test version as before. That's the 2025 civics test if your N-400 was filed on or after October 20, 2025, and the 2008 test if it was filed earlier.
New questions: The officer won't reuse the same test, so expect different questions from the same official list.
Same rules: On the 2025 test you need 12 correct out of up to 20, and it ends at 12 correct or 9 wrong. On the 2008 test you need 6 correct out of up to 10.

Refusing to take the test, or refusing to answer, counts as failing it.

What if you fail the retest?

If you fail the same part again, USCIS denies your application for not meeting the educational requirements. You'll receive a written denial. You then have two main options.

Option 1: Request a hearing with Form N-336.

File within 30 days of receiving the denial, or 33 days if it was mailed to you. Late requests are generally rejected.
The fee as of October 2026 is $830 on paper or $780 online. A fee waiver may be available.
A different officer reviews your case and may test you again.
This route makes the most sense if you believe the test wasn't given fairly, or if you can show you're now ready.

Option 2: File a new N-400.

There's no waiting period after a denial for failing the tests. You can reapply when you're ready.
You'll pay the filing fee again: $710 online or $760 on paper as of October 2026. A proposed rule would raise that fee, so check before filing.
A new N-400 filed now means the 2025 civics test, even if your first application used the 2008 test.
You'll go through biometrics and a full interview again, including all test parts.

See N-400 denied: what to do for a detailed comparison.

Why people fail, and how to fix it

Civics. The usual causes are studying the wrong list, cramming, forgetting local answers, or freezing under pressure. Fix it by:

Confirming you're studying the right version (see 2008 vs. 2025 civics test)
Using spaced repetition so weak questions come back more often
Practicing out loud with a partner, in random order
Learning your senators, representative and governor first. They're easy points.
Taking full mock tests with the real stop rule until you pass consistently

An app like Civio tracks which questions you miss most and puts them in front of you more often, which is exactly what helps in the weeks before a retest.

English reading. People usually fail by skipping a word or stumbling over names. Practice reading the official vocabulary list aloud daily, especially names (Washington, Lincoln), holidays and months.

English writing. People fail by leaving out words, using abbreviations, or writing unreadably. Practice dictation every day with short civics sentences. Write slowly and clearly, and always use full words: "United States," not "U.S."

English speaking. Applicants often don't understand the N-400 vocabulary. Go through your N-400 question by question and practice explaining each term in simple English. See the citizenship English test.

A 60-day retest plan

Days 1 to 3: Write down every question or sentence you missed while you remember them. Identify your weak topics.
Weeks 1 to 4: For civics, learn the questions you don't know in batches of 8 to 10 a day, and review the others every few days. For English, do 15 minutes of reading and dictation every day.
Weeks 5 to 7: Take two or three full mock tests a week. Write down each miss and review those questions the next day.
Final week: Light review only. Confirm the current President, Vice President, Speaker, Chief Justice, senators, representative and governor.
Day before: Rest. Get your documents and notice ready.

For a full study method, see how to pass the civics test.

When to consider an exception

If you failed because of a medical condition that affects memory, learning or communication, and that has lasted or is expected to last 12 months, talk to a licensed doctor or clinical psychologist about Form N-648. If you're 50 or older with many years as a green card holder, check whether you'd qualify for an English exemption on a new application under the 50/20, 55/15 or 65/20 rules. The numbers are checked on the new filing date.

Frequently asked questions

How many times can I take the citizenship test?

Twice per application: once at your first interview and once at the retest. If you fail the same part both times, the application is denied, but you can file a new N-400 with a new fee.

Do I have to retake the English test if I only failed civics?

No. You only retake the part you failed. Parts you passed are recorded on your N-652.

Can I reschedule my retest?

You can ask to reschedule by following the instructions on your notice, but the retest normally has to happen within the timeframe set by the regulations. Rescheduling may delay your case, so do it only if necessary.

Will failing hurt my next application?

Failing the test isn't a mark against your character. A later application is judged on its own merits, though you'll pay the fee again and take all parts of the test again.

Prepare for the civics test with Civio: every official question from the 2025 USCIS civics test, Exam Mode with your state's questions, and spaced repetition.

Informational article, not legal advice. Civio is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; always check current requirements at uscis.gov.