Helping a parent
take the citizenship test
Plain answers for adult children of Chinese-speaking immigrants.
Last checked August 2026 · Sources link to USCIS
If you are researching this for a parent who does not read English well, three facts will save you the most time:
One. Older long-term green card holders may be exempt from the English test entirely and can take the civics test in Chinese with an interpreter. Many families never find this out.
Two. Whether they study 100 questions or 128 depends on when the N-400 was filed, not when the interview is. Using the wrong list is a common and costly mistake.
Three. The thing that fails people is usually not knowledge. It is not understanding the officer when the question is worded differently than the study sheet.
Does my parent have to take the citizenship test in English?
Not always. If they are 50 or older with 20+ years as a green card holder, or 55 or older with 15+ years, they are exempt from the English portion and may take the civics test in Chinese with an interpreter. At 65 or older with 20+ years, they also study a reduced set of 20 questions instead of all 128. Details on our age exemptions page.
Is it 100 questions or 128?
It depends on the date the N-400 was filed, not the interview date. Filed on or after October 20, 2025 means the 128-question 2025 test. Filed before that date means the older 100-question 2008 test. See the 2025 test explained.
My parent can barely use a smartphone. What actually works?
Paper and a phone call. Printed study sheets they can hold, and a phone number they can dial to be quizzed out loud. Apps, logins, and video calls are where most older learners give up. See what actually works.
Can they fail? What happens then?
Yes, and it is not the end. USCIS gives a second attempt, generally scheduled 60 to 90 days after the first interview, on whichever portion was failed. Most people who fail did not lack knowledge — they froze, or could not follow the officer's phrasing.
Your parent studies in Chinese. We built for that.
Every one of the 128 questions with Chinese phonetic spelling, so someone who cannot read English can still say the answer out loud. Plus a phone line they can call to practice — no app, no signup, no computer.
See the materials (in Chinese) →Questions in English or Mandarin: 347-443-8778, Mon–Fri 10am–6pm ET
Last checked August 2026. Rules change — confirm current requirements on the official USCIS study page or with a licensed immigration attorney. Gongminkao is a test-preparation service, not a law firm.