The first theme of the civics test is about the ideas the United States was built on. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and begins with the words “We the People”, which means the people govern themselves. The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, says all people are created equal and that the colonies were free from Britain. The Bill of Rights protects basic rights, and the Constitution has been changed 27 times by amendments. Government is divided into three branches so that no part becomes too powerful, and the rule of law means that no one is above the law. The economic system is capitalism, a free market economy.
What you'll learn
- The supreme law of the land and what “We the People” means
- Why the Declaration of Independence matters and which words come from it
- How the Constitution is changed and how many amendments it has
- The rule of law, the three branches and checks and balances
A sample question from the bank
Question: How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? Answer: Twenty-seven (27).
Question: The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document? Answer: The Declaration of Independence.
Frequently asked questions
Which of these ideas do I need to know in my own words?
The officer wants the key idea, not a speech: for example “checks and balances” or “so one part does not become too powerful”.
Are these questions on the 2025 list?
Yes, they come from the “principles of American government” section of the 128 questions published by USCIS.