Civics question 2 of 128 65/20 set
What is the supreme law of the land?
Official answer
- (U.S.) Constitution
Source: official USCIS question list for the 2025 version of the civics test. This site is independent and not affiliated with USCIS.
Background
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. That phrase comes from Article VI, which states that the Constitution and the federal laws made under it outrank state constitutions and state laws. The practical effect is that no legislature, governor, or official can put a rule above it, and courts can strike down anything that conflicts with it. This is why the document is short and hard to change: it sets the frame everything else must fit inside. Written in 1787 and in force since 1789, it is the oldest national constitution still in use. A common mix-up is the Declaration of Independence, which announced separation from Britain in 1776 and carries great moral weight but is not law. Another is the Bill of Rights, which is part of the Constitution rather than a separate supreme law.
This background section is written by US Citizenship Test Practice to explain the civics fact. It is not part of the USCIS question list, and the official answer above is the one to give at the interview.
Where this question sits
It is part of Principles of American Government, inside the American Government section of the test. It is also one of the 20 questions in the 65/20 set, so it is worth knowing well.
Related questions
- 4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?
- 5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
- 6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?
- 7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
- 8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
- 9. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?