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 Setswana — 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?

Ke ofe molao o mogolo wa naga?

Melaotheo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

The Constitution

Molaotheo

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

Molaotheo wa United States o na le diphetolo di le kae?

Melaotheo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

Twenty-seven (27)

Masome a mabedi le supa (27)

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

Ke efe thulaganyo ya ikonomi ya United States?

Melaotheo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

Capitalism

Bokhapitale (capitalism)

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

Umaka thata e le nngwe ya Khongerese ya United States.

Thulaganyo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

Writes laws

Go kwala melao

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

Ke mang leina la Sepikara sa Ntlo ya Baemedi gompieno?

Thulaganyo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

Mike Johnson

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

Moporesidente wa United States o tlhophelwa dingwaga di le kae?

Thulaganyo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

Four (4) years

Dingwaga di le nne (4)

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

Ke mang leina la Moporesidente wa United States gompieno?

Thulaganyo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

Donald Trump

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

Ke mang leina la Motlatsa-Moporesidente wa United States gompieno?

Thulaganyo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

JD Vance

★ 44. Who vetoes bills?

Ke mang yo o ganang (veto) melawana?

Thulaganyo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

The President

Moporesidente

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

Ke efe kgotlatshekelo e e kwa godimo thata mo United States?

Thulaganyo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

Supreme Court

Kgotlatshekelo e Kgolo

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

Ke mang mmusi (governor) wa naga ya gago gompieno?

Thulaganyo ya Puso

Karabo · Answer

Your state's governor

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

Re bontsha boikanyego mo go eng fa re bua Pledge of Allegiance (Ikano ya Boikanyego)?

Ditshwanelo le Maikarabelo

Karabo · Answer

The United States (and the flag)

Mo United States (le mo folageng)

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

Ke mang yo o neng a nna mo Amerika pele ga go goroga ga Maeoropa?

Nako ya Bokoloni le Boipuso

Karabo · Answer

Native Americans

Batho ba Amerika ba Setso (Native Americans)

★ 78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Ke mang yo o kwadileng Phatlalatso ya Boipuso?

Nako ya Bokoloni le Boipuso

Karabo · Answer

Thomas Jefferson

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

George Washington o itsege ka dilo di le dintsi. Umaka e le nngwe.

Nako ya Bokoloni le Boipuso

Karabo · Answer

First president of the United States

Moporesidente wa ntlha wa United States

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

Abraham Lincoln o itsege ka dilo di le dintsi. Umaka e le nngwe.

Dingwaga tsa bo-1800

Karabo · Answer

Freed the slaves

O gololotse makgoba

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

Martin Luther King, Jr. o itsege ka dilo di le dintsi. Umaka e le nngwe.

Hisitori ya Bosheng

Karabo · Answer

Fought for civil rights

O lwetse ditshwanelo tsa botho

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

Ke tiragalo efe e kgolo e e diregileng ka la 11 Lwetse 2001 mo United States?

Hisitori ya Bosheng

Karabo · Answer

Terrorists attacked the United States

Baditšhabatšhaba (terrorists) ba tlhasetse United States

★ 121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

Goreng folaga e na le mela e 13?

Matshwao

Karabo · Answer

Because there were 13 original colonies

Ka gonne go ne go na le dikoloni tse 13 tsa ntlha

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

Umaka malatsi a mararo a boikhutso a bosetšhaba a United States.

Malatsi a Boikhutso

Karabo · Answer

Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day

Keresemose, Letsatsi la Ditebogo (Thanksgiving), Letsatsi la Boipuso

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