US Citizenship Test Exemptions 50/20, 55/15 and 65/20, with 20 Chinese-Language Civics Questions

The citizenship naturalization test is normally conducted in English, but there are exceptions, commonly known as the 50/20, 55/15, and 65/20 exemption rules.

Exemption Rules

50/20 and 55/15 Exemptions for the Civics Test: If an applicant is at least 50 years old and has lived in the United States as a permanent resident (green card holder) for more than 20 years; or is at least 55 years old and has lived in the United States as a green card holder for more than 15 years, they may choose to take the civics test in their native language, Chinese, but must bring an interpreter fluent in both English and Chinese. USCIS explains as follows:

• You will be permitted to take the civics test in your native language.

• If you take the test in your native language, you must bring an interpreter with you to your interview.

• Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language.

65/20 Exemption for the Civics Test: If an applicant is at least 65 years old and has held a green card for more than 20 years, in addition to being able to take the test in Chinese, they do not need to study all 100 civics test questions; they only need to study the 20 questions marked with an asterisk.

20 Questions for the 65/20 Test ([Year] Version)

Below are the 20 key questions marked with an asterisk, listed in Chinese only; click here to view and print PDF/Word/Google Docs versions. For the complete 100 questions, including English-Chinese bilingual text and audio, please see this article.

Name one right or freedom from the First Amendment.

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of religion

• Freedom of assembly

• Freedom of the press

• The right to petition the government

2*. What is the economic system of the United States?

• Capitalist economy

• Market economy

3*. Name one branch or part of the government.

• Congress

• Legislative branch

• President

• Executive branch

• The courts

• Judicial branch

4*. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

Answer: The Senate and House of Representatives

5*. Name one of your state's current U.S. Senators.

Residents of DC and U.S. territories may answer: DC (or the territory where the applicant resides) has no U.S. Senators.

6*. In what month do we vote for President?

Answer: November

7*. What is the name of the current President of the United States?

• Joe Biden / Biden

8*. What is the capital of your state?

Residents of the District of Columbia should answer that DC is not a state and has no capital. Residents of U.S. territories should answer with the capital of their territory.

9*. What are the two major political parties in the United States today?

Answer: Democratic and Republican Parties.

10*. Name one responsibility that is only for United States citizens.

• Serve on a jury

• Vote in a federal election

11*. How old must a U.S. citizen be to vote for President?

Answer: 18 years and older.

12*. When is the deadline to file federal income tax forms?

Answer: April 15 of each year

13*. Who was the first President?

Answer: George Washington

14*. What are some important things Abraham Lincoln did? Name one.

• Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)

• Saved (preserved) the Union

• Led the United States during the Civil War

15*. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

• World War I

• World War II

• Korean War

• Vietnam War

• (Persian Gulf) Gulf War

16*. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?

• Fought for civil rights

• Worked for equality for all Americans

17*. Where is the capital of the United States?

Answer: Washington, D.C.

18*. Where is the Statue of Liberty?

• New York / New York Harbor

• Liberty Island

• Answers of New Jersey, near New York City, or on the Hudson River are also acceptable

19*. Why does the flag have 50 stars?

• Because there is one star for each state

• Because each star represents a state

• Because there are 50 states

20*. On what day do we celebrate Independence Day?

Answer: July 4 of each year