The Gilder Lehrman Institute is pleased to present our version of the citizenship exam for use in the K–12 classroom. Students will be able to assess their own civics knowledge while considering why these questions form the basis of an informed citizenry.
Grades 3–12
Citizenship is a powerful bond that unites people through shared civic ideals and the protection of rights and freedoms under the US Constitution. For immigrants, the path to US citizenship involves naturalization—a process that includes passing a civics test, where applicants must correctly answer six out of ten questions on US government, history, and civics. These questions, drawn from a list of 100, cover essential topics like “What does the Constitution do?” and “Who did the US fight in World War II?”
The Gilder Lehrman Institute has developed an online, multiple-choice version of the citizenship exam for different grade levels. High school students can explore in-depth explanations for each question, while middle and elementary school versions are customized for their learning needs. After completing the test, students can download a score report, making it a dynamic tool for learning and tracking progress.
Additionally, the Gilder Lehrman Institute has partnered with Kahoot! to launch a new collection of engaging resources on Civics and Citizenship. These interactive lessons are designed to deepen students’ understanding of key concepts in American government, democracy, and civic responsibility. Each Kahoot! game is crafted to make learning both fun and educational, helping students actively participate in their learning process while exploring important topics like the Constitution, voting rights, and the role of citizens in a democratic society. This partnership offers teachers a dynamic tool to bring American history to life in the classroom.
Explore our video library where scholars, teachers, and experts explain the answers to the questions posed on the citizenship test.
Listen to Dr. Denver Brunsman discuss the first president, George Washington.
Listen to Misha Matsumoto Yee discuss how population affects the number of US representatives that each state has.
Listen to Hamilton cast member Marc delaCruz discuss the reason the US flag has 50 stars.
Throughout our history, the United States has welcomed newcomers from all over the world. Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans, uniting us not by race or religion, but by our shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality. In December 2024, GLI will publish both an elementary lesson and a secondary unit focused on citizenship. These units will highlight diverse perspectives and experiences in the naturalization process, sparking classroom discussions on civic engagement and fostering dialogue on topics such as belonging, empathy, and citizenship.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute (GLI) is launching the 2025 Citizenship Challenge: Redesigning America’s Citizenship Test, a contest for students in grades 7–12 (age 13 and older) to creatively showcase their understanding of American history, civics, and the naturalization exam. Each winning student will receive a $100 prize and be featured on GLI’s The Citizenship Test: Civics and American History webpage. Ten prizes will be awarded. Students in grades 7–12 (age 13 and older) in our Affiliate School network can participate in the contest. The contest will be launched in January 2025. If your school is not enrolled in our Affiliate School Program, please visit https://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-and-events/affiliate-school-program.
