What Happens If You Fail the Citizenship Test?
Written and reviewed by the N400Test.com team against official USCIS sources · Last reviewed 2026-06-28 · Educational information, not legal advice.
Failing a part of the test at your interview feels scary, but it is not the end of your case. USCIS gives you a second chance, and you are only retested on the portion you did not pass. Knowing how it works takes away most of the fear.
You get a second chance
If you do not pass the English test, the civics test, or both, the officer does not deny your application on the spot. Instead, USCIS schedules a second interview, usually 60 to 90 days later, to retake the part you failed.
You are only retested on what you missed
The retest covers only the section you did not pass. If you passed the English portion but missed the civics test, you only retake civics the second time. If you passed civics but struggled with reading or writing, you only redo the English part.
What the test includes
The naturalization test has two parts, and you must pass both.
- English: reading one sentence correctly, writing one sentence correctly, and speaking with the officer.
- Civics: the officer asks civics questions out loud and you must answer enough of them correctly to pass.
What if you fail the second time
If you do not pass on the second try, USCIS denies that application. That is not permanent. You can reapply by filing a new Form N-400 and paying the fee again, then study and try once more. Many people pass comfortably the next time with more practice.
How to make sure you pass
The test is very learnable. Drill the official questions until the answers are automatic, practice reading and writing the official sentences out loud, and rehearse the whole interview so the format feels familiar. Steady practice is what turns a nervous applicant into a confident one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chances do I get to pass the citizenship test? Two chances per application. If you fail a part, USCIS reschedules you, usually within 60 to 90 days, to retake only the part you missed. If you fail the retest, the application is denied, but you can reapply.
When is the retest scheduled? Generally 60 to 90 days after your first interview. You receive a notice with the date and time.
Do I have to retake the whole test? No. You only retake the portion you did not pass the first time.
Official USCIS Sources
This article is for educational purposes and is based on USCIS materials available when last reviewed. Always check USCIS.gov for the current version of forms, fees, and policy.