N-336 After an English or Civics Test Naturalization Denial
An N-400 applicant who is denied for failing the English or civics requirements may request an N-336 hearing. At the hearing, USCIS generally retests only the portion of the naturalization test the applicant previously failed, and the applicant receives one opportunity at the hearing to pass that failed portion.
Do You Get Another Chance to Pass the Naturalization Test at N-336?
Yes. USCIS policy provides that when an N-400 was denied for failure to meet the educational requirements, the reviewing officer retests the portions of the English or civics test that the applicant previously failed.
The applicant receives one opportunity to pass those failed portions at the N-336 hearing.
The case should also be reviewed for possible errors concerning which test applied, whether the applicant qualified for an English-language exemption, whether a disability exception applied, and whether USCIS correctly recorded or evaluated the prior test results.
The Applicant Normally Receives Two Testing Opportunities During the N-400 Case
Initial Test
The applicant takes the required English and civics portions during the naturalization examination unless an exemption or disability exception applies.
Reexamination
An applicant who fails the English literacy or history and government test at the first examination receives a second opportunity to pass the failed portion during the pending N-400 proceeding.
N-336 Hearing
If USCIS denies the N-400 for failing the educational requirement, the N-336 hearing provides one additional opportunity to pass the previously failed portion.
English Testing Includes Speaking, Reading and Writing
The naturalization English requirement includes the ability to understand and speak English and the ability to read and write words in ordinary usage.
Speaking ability is evaluated through the applicant's responses during the naturalization examination.
For the reading portion, the applicant must correctly read one of up to three sentences. For the writing portion, the applicant must correctly write one of up to three sentences.
The N-400 Filing Date Determines Which Current Civics Test Applies
Filed Before October 20, 2025
Applicants who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025 generally take the 2008 naturalization civics test.
Under the ordinary 2008 test, USCIS asks up to 10 questions and the applicant must answer at least 6 correctly.
Filed On or After October 20, 2025
Applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025 generally take the 2025 naturalization civics test.
The ordinary 2025 test consists of 20 oral questions, and the applicant must answer at least 12 correctly.
A Previously Passed Portion Generally Does Not Need to Be Repeated
USCIS policy directs the reviewing officer to administer only the English or civics portions that the applicant previously failed.
For example, an applicant who passed English but failed civics ordinarily faces civics retesting at the N-336 hearing rather than restarting the entire naturalization test.
The applicant should verify the prior examination results so there is no confusion about which portion remains at issue.
Prepare for the Hearing as the Final USCIS Retest Opportunity in That N-336 Proceeding
USCIS policy provides only one opportunity at the N-336 hearing to pass the failed portion of the English or civics test.
The applicant should therefore identify exactly what was failed and prepare for the applicable test before appearing.
An N-336 should not be filed on the assumption that the hearing itself will produce multiple additional testing attempts.
Some Long-Term Permanent Residents Are Exempt From the English Requirement
Age 50 + 20 Years as LPR
An applicant who satisfies the statutory age and permanent-residence requirements may be exempt from the English-language requirement while still having to satisfy civics.
Age 55 + 15 Years as LPR
A qualifying applicant may similarly be exempt from English testing but remains subject to the applicable civics requirement.
Civics in Native Language
A person exempt from English under these provisions may take the civics examination in the applicant's native language with a qualifying interpreter.
Older Long-Term Residents Receive Special Civics Consideration
Applicants who are at least 65 years old and have been lawful permanent residents for at least 20 years at the time of filing receive special consideration for the civics requirement.
The applicable USCIS testing materials identify a reduced group of civics questions for qualifying 65/20 applicants.
The applicant should ensure USCIS applied the proper special-consideration procedure rather than the ordinary civics testing standard.
Form N-648 Can Excuse English, Civics, or Both When the Legal Standard Is Met
A medically determinable physical, developmental, or mental impairment may support an exception from the English or civics requirements when the impairment satisfies the governing statutory and regulatory requirements.
The exception ordinarily requires a properly completed Form N-648 from a qualified medical professional.
An N-336 may challenge whether USCIS correctly evaluated the medical certification, the diagnosed impairment, its duration, and the connection between the impairment and the applicant's inability to satisfy the testing requirement.
Needing an Accommodation Is Different From Being Exempt From Testing
Accommodation
An accommodation changes how USCIS administers the examination because of a disability or impairment, but the applicant may still be required to satisfy the underlying English or civics standard.
Disability Exception
A qualifying disability exception excuses the applicant from one or more of the educational requirements themselves.
The N-336 should identify which legal theory actually applies.
Not Every Test Denial Is Simply a Failure to Study Enough
A test-related N-336 may present a procedural or legal issue in addition to the applicant's need to pass the failed portion at the hearing.
Examples can include use of the wrong civics test version, failure to apply a qualifying age-based exemption, an incorrect disability-exception decision, or a discrepancy concerning what portion of the test was actually failed.
The denial and testing notices should be reviewed together before deciding that the only issue is retesting.
Passing the Test Does Not Necessarily Resolve Every Ground in the Denial
Some N-400 decisions contain more than one basis for denial.
An applicant may have failed civics while USCIS also identified a good moral character, continuous residence, criminal-history, or immigration-history problem.
The N-336 must address every independent ground that could still prevent naturalization even if the applicant passes the test at the hearing.
N-336 English and Civics Test FAQs
Do I get another test at the N-336 hearing?
Yes. In a case denied for failing the educational requirements, USCIS policy provides one opportunity at the N-336 hearing to pass the portion previously failed.
Do I have to retake portions I already passed?
USCIS policy provides for retesting of the failed portion rather than requiring the applicant to repeat portions previously passed.
Which civics test applies to my N-336?
The filing date of the underlying N-400 generally controls. Applications filed before October 20, 2025 use the 2008 test, while applications filed on or after that date use the 2025 test.
How many questions are on the 2025 civics test?
The ordinary 2025 civics test consists of 20 oral questions, with at least 12 correct answers required to pass.
How does the 2008 civics test work?
Under the ordinary 2008 test, USCIS asks up to 10 questions and the applicant must answer at least 6 correctly.
How do I pass the reading test?
The applicant must correctly read one of up to three English sentences.
How do I pass the writing test?
The applicant must correctly write one of up to three English sentences.
What are the 50/20 and 55/15 exemptions?
Qualifying long-term lawful permanent residents who satisfy the applicable age and residence requirements are exempt from English testing but must still satisfy the civics requirement.
What is the 65/20 rule?
Qualifying applicants at least age 65 with at least 20 years as lawful permanent residents receive special consideration in civics testing.
Can a medical condition excuse the test?
A qualifying medically determinable impairment may support an English or civics disability exception through Form N-648 when the governing legal requirements are established.
What if USCIS denied both my test and another part of my case?
Passing the failed test portion does not automatically resolve an independent ground of ineligibility. The N-336 should challenge every material basis for the N-400 denial.
Prepare for Both the Retest and the Legal Review
English and Civics Testing at N-336
Was Your N-400 Denied Because You Did Not Pass English or Civics?
The Messersmith Law Firm, P.A. represents naturalization applicants in N-336 proceedings involving English and civics testing, age-based exemptions, disability exceptions, Form N-648 issues, testing procedure, and other naturalization eligibility problems accompanying a test denial.
Request a Test Denial ReviewThis website provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Naturalization testing cases depend on the underlying N-400 filing date, failed test component, applicable test version, age and permanent-residence history, disability evidence, other grounds in the denial, and current USCIS testing procedures.