To apply for settlement in the UK or British citizenship, you must pass the Life in the UK Test and show your knowledge of British customs.
The Life in the UK Test, also known as the British citizenship test, is a test that those making a British citizenship or settlement application are required to take and pass.
The Life in the UK test allows you to demonstrate you commitment to British customs during the test you will also be asked a series of questions about customs and traditions in the UK.
The Life in the UK test is multiple-choice examination, and you will have 45 minutes to answer a total of 24 questions.
You need to book the test online, and all the items are based on the official British Citizenship Handbook, released by the UKVI.
Those making either a British citizenship or settlement application in the UK are required to take the Life in the UK test.
If you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain after living in the UK for a length of time, you will need to take the Life in the UK test, this includes if you are:
Applicants for British citizenship are also required to pass the Life in the UK Test and will need to take the test prior to their application if they have not already taken and passed the test as part of a previous settlement application.
There are certain people who will not need to complete the UK citizenship test as part of their application. If you meet any of the following requirements, you will not have to complete the like in the UK test.
If you are not sure whether you are qualified to be exempt, you can reach out to us for advice to avoid issues or delays with your British citizenship application.
If you’d like to practice for the Life in the UK test, you can use our free practice test on the right.
It contains hundreds of sample test questions, each one covering common topics and areas that come up in the Life in the UK test. Some of the practice questions are multiple-choice, while others ask for a true or false answer. If you get an answer wrong, you will receive an short explanation why to help you understand why you answered incorrectly.
Just like the real test, the practice test will give you 24 questions to answer. After you answer all 24 questions, you will be given a final score and be told if you have passed or failed the test.
You can retake the test as many times as you like until you’re confident that you can answer the questions correctly and consistently pass the test. Simply click the ‘Start the test’ button to begin.
You can only reserve your place through the official tool provided by the Home Office on the government website. The test must be booked at least 3 days in advance.
There are over 30 accredited Life in the UK test centres located across the UK, but you can only choose one of the five centres which are closest to where you live. If you submit your request to a test centre that does not meet this condition, you will not be allowed to sit the test.
When you book your test you will need the following:
When you book the test you can make special requests, for example if you need additional assistance or extra equipment due to a disability. To make a request you can contact the Life in the UK Test Helpline.
All questions in your test will be taken randomly from the official handbook released by the UKVI. This guide includes sample questions and answers, that you can use to practice the test. Your exam will cover the following topics:
To prepare for your real test it is highly recommended that you obtain a copy of the official Life in the UK Test book and that you take some practice tests. The Official Life in the United Kingdom – A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition) handbook is the current official guide and covers all the essential knowledge you need to pass your test.
As well as the official guide, the Home Office also offers an e-learning subscription that can help you to prepare for the test.
It is essential to arrive on time on the day of your test, otherwise you will not be allowed to sit the exam.
Do not forget to bring one of the accepted forms of identification with you (such as your passport or your Biometric Residence Permit) and a valid proof of address. This must show your name and your postcode, and must be dated within three months of the day of the test.
If you fail to present these documents, you will not be able to take the test.
You should not bring and dependents or children with you.
The test is taken on a computer and you will have 45 minutes to complete it. During the test you will be asked 24 questions that cover different topics such as the history of the UK, customs and traditions and the UK’s laws and political systems. All of the questions are chosen at random by the computer.
Once you finish the test, you must remain in the building until the results are available.
If you pass the test you will be given your Unique Reference Number (URN) at the test centre. You will need your URN when applying for British Citizenship or settlement and the Home Office will use it to check that you have met the Life in the UK Test requirement.
Please note that if you leave the centre before you are given your results, your test will be invalidated.
If you passed your test before 17th December then you will not have a URN, instead you will have a pass notification letter with a test reference ID that you will use instead.
If you pass the test you can proceed with your citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain application providing that you have met the other requirements.
If you don’t pass the test, you will be unable to progress with your settlement application. You can retake the test after seven days, and you can resit it as many times as needed.
If you decide to retake the test again, then you will need to book a new test using the same process, and you will need to pay the £50 fee again. You will need to do this each time that you take the test.
You can only progress with your settlement or citizenship application once you have passed the test, so you will need to continue to sit it until you do if you intend to proceed with your application.
It costs £50 to sit the test. If you fail the exam, if you were late to the test centre, or if you do not attend to your exam, this fee will not be reimbursed.
You are entitled for a refund only if you cancel your test at least 3 days in advance of your test date or if the test centre cancels the exam.
To cancel your test you must log in to your Life in the UK test account Click on ‘Confirmed tests‘ and select the ‘cancel test’ option. After this you will receive a refund to the account that you paid for, you don’t need to contact UK Visas and Immigration to get this.
If the test centre cancels your exam then you must request a refund within 3 months of the test date.
The Life in the UK Test pass certificate does not have an expiry date so once you have passed the test this will be valid for life.
This means that you can use your test for multiple immigration applications, for example you can use it initially as part of an Indefinite Leave to Remain application and then if you decide to apply to become a British citizen then you will not need to take the test again and can instead use the same test pass result for your citizenship application.
Understanding the Life in the UK Test
The Life in the UK Test is an exam on British culture, history, and society to see how much you know about the country you’ll be living in.
Gather Your Study Materials
Start revising for the test with the government’s official handbook, ‘Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents.’ It covers everything from historical facts about the UK, as well as more modern British customs. We recommend you read this at least once, as well as other revision source material, to prepare thoroughly for the exam.
Take Online Practice Tests
Many online platforms offer free practice tests that mimic the real exam using past exam questions, giving you an idea of the question structure, type of content you need to study, and layout, so there will be no surprises on the day you sit your exam. Use these to assess your knowledge, familiarise yourself with the exam structure, and identify areas where you need to do more revision.
Join Life in the UK Test Study Groups
Consider joining a study group or online forum where you can discuss questions and share insights with new British citizens who have taken the test before. Explaining concepts to others or asking questions in this format can only broaden and benefit your understanding.
Stay Updated with Current British Affairs
Keep yourself updated with current affairs in the UK. Watch the news, read newspapers, and follow British culture and politics online. This will help with the test and make you feel more connected to your new home. WMYV reports weekly on immigration news in the UK directly to your email inbox.
Take Mock Exams
Before your scheduled test day, take several mock exams under timed conditions. This will familiarise you with the test format, help you manage your time effectively, and give you an idea of the type of questions to expect on the real exam. This should be the final step in your preparation.
Our expert lawyers can support you with your Life in the UK test.
They will help you prepare through offering guidance and by providing revision materials, if necessary.
They can also offer support in booking the test should you need this.
Get in touch and book your first advice session with one of our immigration lawyers to learn more.
Reach out to us for more information or to see how we can help you?
The pass rate for the test is 75%, meaning that you must get at least 18 correct answers out of the 24 questions.
The Life in the UK Test can be very challenging as it will test your knowledge of all aspects of British history, customs and traditions; generally, life in the UK.
The questions of the actual test are split into 5 different categories, these include:
This UK exam can be very hard if you do not prepare enough so its important to revise all of the categories thoroughly. Reading the official guide book and taking practice tests can help to make the test easier.
Yes, the Life in the UK Test consists of 24 multiple choice questions. You must answer at least 18 correctly to pass the official test.
Yes, you may be able to use your degree to meet the English language requirement for your citizenship or ILR application, but you will still need to take the test to prove your knowledge of UK history, customs and British traditions.
You must submit either your pass letter or your Unique Reference Number when making an application for settlement or British citizenship as the Home Office will use this to verify your test result.
If you have lost your pass notification letter or Unique Reference Number then the Home Office advised you to send a letter explaining this alongside your application.
If you cannot provide a Unique Reference Number you may be required to take the test again.
Although the Life in the United Kingdom test is a computer-based test, it must be taken at an authorised test centre in the UK.
Here are some of the centres:
| Venue | Address |
| Aberdeen | PSI at Aberdeen College
North East Scotland College, Ground Floor, Gallowgate, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 1BN |
| Belfast | People 1st Belfast
Ormeau House, Suite 1, 91-97 Ormeau Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1SH |
| Birmingham | PSI Birmingham
Gateway House, 3rd Floor, 50-53 High Street Birmingham, B4 7SY |
| Blackburn | Community Training Portal Blackburn (Kings Court)
Kings Court, 33 King Street, Suite 14/15, 2nd Floor Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 2DH |
| Brighton | MTS at VP Brighton
Vantage Point, 7th Floor, New Rd, Brighton, BN1 4GW |
| Bristol | PSI Bristol
Creswicke House, Ground Floor, 9-11 Small Street, Bristol, BS1 1DB |
| Cardiff | PSI Cardiff at Bizspace Trafalgar House
5 Fitzalan Place, 5th Floor, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 0ED |
| Coventry | PSI Coventry
101 Lockhurst Lane, 3rd Floor, Coventry, CV6 5SF |
| Croydon | PSI Croydon
Grosvenor House, 8th Floor, 125 High Street, Croydon, London, CR0 9XP |
| Edinburgh | MTS Edinburgh
40 Sciennes, Newington, Ground Floor Edinburgh, Scotland EH9 1NJ |
| Exeter | PSI Exeter
Brittany House, 2nd Floor, New North Road, Exeter, EX4 4EP |
| Glasgow | PSI Glasgow
Adelphi Centre, 1st Floor, 12 Commercial Road Glasgow, Scotland, G5 0PQ |
| Hounslow | Computer Learning Centre
65 Kingsley Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, London, TW3 1QB |
| Ilford | PSI Ilford
2 Caxton Place, 2nd Floor, London, Ilford, IG1 2AH |
| Ipswich | PSI at The Hub Business Centre Ipswich
2 Civic Drive, Room 16a, 2nd floor, Ipswich, IP1 2QA |
| Iranian Association | 222 King StreetLondon,
W6 0RA |
| Leeds | PSI Leeds
Oxford House, Part 4th Floor, Oxford Row Leeds, LS1 3BE |
| Leicester | PSI Leicester
60 Charles Street, 5th Floor, Leicester, LE1 1FB |
| Lewisham | PDA (Training) Ltd Lewisham
107 – 109 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, Greater London, SE13 6AT |
| Liverpool | PSI Liverpool
1 Union Court, 4th Floor, Cook St, Liverpool, L2 4SJ |
| Luton | Community Training Portal Luton
378 Leagrave Rd, Luton, LU3 1RG |
| Maidstone | Synod Solutions Ltd
114 Kestrel House, First Floor, Knightrider Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6LU |
| Manchester | PSI Manchester
Boulton House, 6th Floor, 17-21 Chorlton Street Manchester, M1 3HY |
| Milton Keynes | MTS at Gloucester House
Gloucester House, MTS Ground Floor, 399 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 2AH |
| Newcastle | PSI Newcastle
Arden House, 4th Floor, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 3LU |
| Norwich | PSI at Sackville Place Norwich
Sackville Place, Ground Floor, Room 23-24, 44-48 Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1JU |
| Nottingham | CTP Nottingham
6 Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, NG7 6JF |
| Oxford | PSI Oxford
Unit A, Watlington House, Watlington Road Oxford, OX4 6NF |
| Peterborough | PSI at Online Exams Peterborough
Sefton House, Adam Court, Newark Road, Peterborough, PE1 5PP |
| Plymouth | PSI Plymouth
Cobourg House, 3rd Floor, 32 Mayflower Street, Plymouth, PL1 1QX |
| Portsmouth | PSI Portsmouth
102 Clarendon Road, Portsmouth, Southsea, PO4 0SY |
| Preston | Preston Test Centre
38-40 Ormskirk Road, Preston, PR1 2QP |
| Reading | PSI Reading
Highline, 6th Floor, 30 Greyfriars Road Reading, RG1 1PE |
| Sheffield | PSI at Bank Street Sheffield
The Synergy Building, Bank Street Entrance, Bank Street, Hartshead, Sheffield, S1 2EL |
| Stratford | PSI Stratford
Boardman House, 2nd Floor 64 Broadway Stratford, London, E15 1NT |
| Swansea | PSI at Computeraid Swansea
11 – 12 Wind Street, 4th Floor, Swansea, Wales, SA1 1DP |
| Watford | CTP Watford
45-47 Vicarage Road Watford, WD18 0DE |
| Workington | PSI at CPTT Workington
High Street Workington, CA14 4ES |
To prevent failing the Life in the UK test for United Kingdom citizenship, it’s important you practice. You can do that with our practice test. Also, follow these tips:
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