Reading Test
Overview
During the naturalization interview, you must demonstrate your ability to read English. The USCIS officer will ask you to read 1 out of 3 sentences aloud. You must read at least 1 sentence correctly to pass this portion. The app helps you practice with the official USCIS reading vocabulary and sentences.
71 Vocabulary Words
111 Practice Sentences
1 of 3 Sentences to Pass
Unlike the civics test, which has a published list of 100 or 128 specific questions and answers, the reading test has no published test sentences. USCIS only publishes a vocabulary list of 71 words (PDF). The app’s 111 practice sentences are built entirely from these official words. If you can read all 71 words, you can read any sentence on the test.
Vocabulary Browser
The reading test uses 71 official USCIS vocabulary words. Browse the complete word list to familiarize yourself with every word you might encounter. These are high-frequency words related to civics and everyday life.
Start by browsing the vocabulary list. If you can recognize and read all 71 words, you will be prepared for any reading sentence on the test.
Knowing the vocabulary is half the battle. The next step is reading complete sentences fluently.
Practice Reading
The app includes 111 practice sentences built from the official vocabulary words. For each sentence:
- The sentence appears on screen
- Read it aloud to practice your pronunciation
- Tap to see the next sentence
These sentences mirror the style and difficulty of what you will encounter during the real interview.
Once you start a reading test, the app presents each sentence clearly and tracks your attempts.
In-Test Experience
During the reading test, each sentence is displayed with a “Read this sentence aloud:” header. You can choose between two grading methods:
- Self-Grade: read aloud and decide for yourself if you got it right
- Speech Match: the app uses on-device speech recognition to check your answer
The test gives you up to 3 attempts per sentence. You only need 1 correct to pass.
Handwriting Practice
As an optional exercise, you can practice writing the sentences you read using the handwriting canvas:
- Read a sentence on screen
- Write it using your finger or Apple Pencil
- The app uses OCR (optical character recognition) to check what you wrote
The handwriting feature is optional practice – the actual reading test is oral, not written. But practicing writing reinforces word recognition and helps you learn the material more deeply.
USCIS Resources
Official reading test materials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:
- Official Reading Vocabulary Word List (PDF), all 71 vocabulary words
- USCIS Study Materials, the official study page with practice materials
- English Test Policy (USCIS Policy Manual), the official policy on the English reading and writing tests