Life in the UK Test
Most applications for British citizenship by naturalisation or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will require that the applicant provide evidence that they have passed the Life in the UK test when submitting their application. Passing the test satsifies the requirement in UK law that those seeking naturalisation or settlement demonstrate “sufficient knowledge of life in the United Kingdom”.
The Life in the UK test consists of 24 multiple choice questions drawn from the following general topics:
- UK values and principles
- UK history
- UK society and culture
- UK government and legal systems
- Responsibilities of UK citizens
All the questions are drawn from the information provided in the Home Office-approved Life in the United Kingdom – A Guide for New Residents, copies of which can be purchased from most reputable bookshops and online retailers in the UK. A typical set of Life in the UK test questions might expect you to be able to identify British democratic values from a list of options, as well as to know about important figures in British sport or the arts.
A score of 18 or more correct answers out of 24 (75% or higher) is considered a pass. Once you have passed the test, you will receive a reference number which you can use in any citizenship or ILR application to prove that you have met this requirement.
You are exempt from any requirement to pass the Life in the UK test if:
- you are under 18
- you are 65 or over
- you have passed it already as part of a previous application
- you can prove you have a long-term physical or mental health condition
The fee for the Life in the UK test is £50. Tests can be booked as little as three days in advance at any one of over 30 test centres around the UK. Bookings can be made online, but the test itself must be taken in person at a test centre.