Presidents You Need to Know for the Citizenship Test
The United States has had 46 Presidents. While you don't need to know all of them, several appear on the citizenship test. This guide covers the Presidents you should know and what made them significant.
Current Leadership
You must know the current President and Vice President. These names change, so make sure your information is up to date before your interview.
At your interview, you'll be asked: - Who is the President of the United States now? - Who is the Vice President of the United States now?
Check USCIS.gov or news sources close to your interview date to confirm current names.
George Washington (1st President)
Terms: 1789-1797 (8 years, 2 terms)
Why he matters: - First President of the United States - Led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War - Called the "Father of Our Country" - Set the tradition of serving only two terms
Test Questions
Q: Who was the first President? A: George Washington
Q: Who is the Father of Our Country? A: George Washington
George Washington is one of the most frequently tested Presidents.
Abraham Lincoln (16th President)
Terms: 1861-1865 (assassinated in office)
Why he matters: - President during the Civil War - Preserved the Union (kept the country together) - Freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation - Delivered the Gettysburg Address
Test Questions
Q: Who was President during the Civil War? A: Abraham Lincoln
Q: What did Abraham Lincoln do? A: Freed the slaves / Preserved the Union / Led during the Civil War
Lincoln is considered one of America's greatest Presidents for holding the nation together during its darkest time.
The Roosevelts
Two Presidents named Roosevelt appear on the test. Don't confuse them:
Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt (26th President)
Terms: 1901-1909
Why he matters: - Expanded national parks and conservation - Built the Panama Canal - Known as a "trust buster" against big corporations
Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd President)
Terms: 1933-1945 (only President to serve more than 2 terms)
Why he matters: - President during the Great Depression and World War II - Created the New Deal to help the economy - Led America through most of WWII
Test Questions
Q: Who was President during World War II? A: Franklin Roosevelt
Q: Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? A: Franklin Roosevelt
Remember: Franklin = Depression and WWII. Teddy = Earlier, national parks.
Woodrow Wilson (28th President)
Terms: 1913-1921
Why he matters: - President during World War I - Proposed the League of Nations
Test Question
Q: Who was President during World War I? A: Woodrow Wilson
Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th President)
Terms: 1953-1961
Why he matters: - Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in WWII (before becoming President) - President during early Cold War - Built the Interstate Highway System
He's less commonly tested but may appear.
Quick Reference Chart
| President | Number | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| George Washington | 1st | Father of Our Country, first President |
| Abraham Lincoln | 16th | Civil War, freed slaves |
| Woodrow Wilson | 28th | World War I |
| Franklin Roosevelt | 32nd | Great Depression, World War II |
Study Tips
Use Associations
- Washington = First everything (first President, father of country)
- Lincoln = Freedom and unity (freed slaves, Civil War)
- Wilson = World War One (WWI)
- Franklin Roosevelt = Two crises (Depression AND WWII)
Don't Confuse
- Theodore vs. Franklin Roosevelt — Franklin = WWII and Depression
- Current vs. historical — Know who is President NOW
- War Presidents — Wilson = WWI, Franklin Roosevelt = WWII
How to Prepare
- Learn current President and VP — Check close to your interview
- Master Washington and Lincoln — Most frequently tested
- Know the war Presidents — Wilson for WWI, FDR for WWII
- Review what each did — Not just names, but accomplishments
Presidential Facts for the Test
Other presidential facts that may appear:
Q: For how long do we elect the President? A: Four years
Q: In what month do we vote for President? A: November
Q: What is the name of the President of the United States now? A: [Current President's name]
Q: Who does a U.S. Senator represent? A: All people of the state (Note: this is about Senators, not Presidents)
The Bigger Picture
Learning about Presidents helps you understand American history:
- Washington established how Presidents should behave
- Lincoln showed the President can preserve the nation in crisis
- Roosevelt demonstrated leadership during depression and war
As a citizen, you'll vote for future Presidents. Understanding past leaders helps you evaluate candidates and participate meaningfully in elections.
Keep practicing until these names and their accomplishments come naturally. You're building knowledge that will serve you throughout your life as an American citizen.