The 65/20 exemption · 20 questions

If you are 65 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more, USCIS lets you study a shorter list — only these 20 questions — and you may take the civics test in your own language.

What the exemption changes

You still take the civics test, but only from these 20 questions, and you may answer in Lingala — you may bring an interpreter. You are also exempt from the English reading, writing and speaking tests.

You must meet both conditions on the day you file Form N-400: 65 or older, and 20 years as a permanent resident. This is often written “65/20”. A separate rule (“50/20” and “55/15”) exempts you from the English test only — you would still study all 128 civics questions.

Bring evidence of your permanent-resident date. The officer confirms eligibility from your record; you do not apply for the exemption separately.

The 20 questions, marked with ★ in the official USCIS list:

★ 2. What is the supreme law of the land?

Mobéko monɛnɛ (mokonzi) ya ekólo ezalí níni?

Mibeko ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

The Constitution

Konstitisyo

★ 7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?

Konstitisyo ya Etazíni ezalí na bambóngwana boni?

Mibeko ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

Twenty-seven (27)

Ntúku míbalé na nsambo (27)

★ 12. What is the economic system of the United States?

Lolénge ya nkita ya Etazíni ezalí níni?

Mibeko ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

Capitalism

Kapitalisme

★ 20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

Tángá nguyá mǒkó ya Kongrɛ ya Etazíni.

Ndenge ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

Writes laws

Etóngaka mibéko

★ 30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

Nkómbó ya Mokonzi (Speaker) ya Ndáko ya Bareprezantá sikáwa ezalí náni?

Ndenge ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

Mike Johnson

★ 36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

Baponaka Prezidá ya Etazíni mpo na mibú boni?

Ndenge ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

Four (4) years

Mibú mínei (4)

★ 38. What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Nkómbó ya Prezidá ya Etazíni sikáwa ezalí náni?

Ndenge ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

Donald Trump

★ 39. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

Nkómbó ya Vise-Prezidá ya Etazíni sikáwa ezalí náni?

Ndenge ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

JD Vance

★ 44. Who vetoes bills?

Náni aboyaka (veto) mikandá ya mibéko?

Ndenge ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

The President

Prezidá

★ 52. What is the highest court in the United States?

Tribinale eleki likoló na Etazíni ezalí níni?

Ndenge ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

Supreme Court

Tribinale ya Likoló

★ 61. Who is the governor of your state now?

Náni azalí guvɛrnɛrɛ ya etúká na yǒ sikáwa?

Ndenge ya Bokonzi

Eyano · Answer

Your state's governor

★ 66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

Tolakisaka bosémbo epái ya níni ntángo tolobaka Elakó ya Bosémbo (Pledge of Allegiance)?

Makoki mpe Mikumba

Eyano · Answer

The United States (and the flag)

Etazíni (mpé bendɛlɛ)

★ 74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

Banáni bafándákí na Amerika liboso ba-Erópa bákóma?

Eleko ya Bokoloni mpe Lipanda

Eyano · Answer

Native Americans

Ba-Indiã ya Amerika (bato ya yambo)

★ 78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Náni akomákí Deklarasyó ya Lipandá?

Eleko ya Bokoloni mpe Lipanda

Eyano · Answer

Thomas Jefferson

★ 86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.

George Washington ayébáná mpo na makambo míngi. Tángá mǒkó.

Eleko ya Bokoloni mpe Lipanda

Eyano · Answer

First president of the United States

Prezidá ya libosó ya Etazíni

★ 94. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.

Abraham Lincoln ayébáná mpo na makambo míngi. Tángá mǒkó.

Mibu ya 1800

Eyano · Answer

Freed the slaves

Apésákí baombo bonsomí

★ 113. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.

Martin Luther King, Jr. ayébáná mpo na makambo míngi. Tángá mǒkó.

Lisolo ya Sika

Eyano · Answer

Fought for civil rights

Abundákí mpo na makokí ya bána-mbóka

★ 115. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?

Likambo monɛnɛ níni esálámákí na mokɔlɔ ya zómi na mǒkó ya sánzá ya libwá, 2001 na Etazíni?

Lisolo ya Sika

Eyano · Answer

Terrorists attacked the United States

Batɛrɔrist babundákí Etazíni

★ 121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

Mpo na níni bendɛlɛ ezalí na milɔ́ngɔ́ zómi na mísáto?

Bilembo

Eyano · Answer

Because there were 13 original colonies

Mpo ezalákí na bakoloni zómi na mísáto ya yambo

★ 126. Name three national U.S. holidays.

Tángá bafɛti mísáto ya ekólo ya Etazíni.

Mikolo ya Fɛti

Eyano · Answer

Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day

Noɛli, Mokɔlɔ ya Matɔ́ndi (Thanksgiving), Mokɔlɔ ya Lipandá

Not 65/20? Study all 128 questions → · Take a practice test → · Look up your state's answers →