American Civics Test

Annenberg Center


Quick Civics Quiz:

1. What are the three branches of government in the United States?

2. How much of a majority is required for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to override a presidential veto?

3. If the Supreme Court rules on a case 5 to 4, does this mean:

a) The decision is the law and needs to be followed.
b) The decision is sent back to Congress for reconsideration.
c) The decision is sent back to the lower courts to be decided there.

4. Who has the final responsibility to determine if a law is constitutional or not?

a) The President
b) The Congress
c) The Supreme Court

(Scroll down for answers.)


Did you get them all right? Do you think that most American citizens would get them right? Do you think that most American citizens should get them right?

Well, here are the results of a July 2014 survey of 699 American adults:

1. 36% correct

2. 27% correct

3. 47% correct

4. 62% correct

If you're keeping score, that's a total score of 43% (F). By the way, these are the types of questions that an immigrant would need to answer correctly in order to become naturalized.


Time to scrap the entire public schooling system in the United States and start all over.




Answers: 1. Executive, Legislative, Judicial; 2. Two-thirds; 3. a; 4. c.