How the Life in the UK test works

Format

24 multiple-choice questions, 45 minutes, on a computer

Pass mark

75%: 18 correct answers

Fee

£50 per attempt

Who takes it

Everyone aged 18 to 64 applying for ILR or citizenship

The Life in the UK test has been part of settlement and citizenship applications since 2005 for citizenship and 2007 for ILR. It is a test of the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, 2013, with later minor updates), and nothing else. Everything you can be asked is in that book, and that is the one fact that should shape how you prepare.

The format

You sit the test at a computer in one of about 30 test centres across the UK. You have 45 minutes to answer 24 questions, which is far more time than most people need; the average candidate finishes in under 20 minutes. Each question is one of four types:

• Choose the one correct answer from four options.
• Choose two correct answers from four options (both must be right for the mark).
• Decide whether a statement is true or false.
• Choose which of two statements is correct.

You need 18 correct answers to pass. Questions are drawn from a bank, so no two tests are the same, and you can go back to change answers until you submit. The result appears on screen as soon as you finish, as a pass or fail without a score, and your pass notification is emailed to you.

What it covers

The handbook has five chapters, and the questions are spread across them:

Chapter	What it covers	Roughly
1. The values and principles of the UK	Fundamental British values, what the UK expects of residents, how to become a citizen	1 or 2 questions
2. What is the UK?	The four nations, the Crown dependencies and overseas territories	1 or 2 questions
3. A long and illustrious history	Stone Age to the present: monarchs, wars, inventions, famous people and dates	8 to 10 questions
4. A modern, thriving society	Population, religion, customs, sport, music, arts, literature, landmarks, leisure	6 to 8 questions
5. The UK government, the law and your role	Parliament, elections, devolution, the courts, the police, taxes, driving, volunteering	6 to 8 questions

History is the hardest chapter for most people because of the dates and names; chapter 5 is where candidates with a legal or political interest pick up easy marks. The questions are factual, not interpretive: who, when, how many, which.

Who must take it

Anyone aged 18 to 64 applying for indefinite leave to remain or naturalisation, apart from people with a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents them, certified by a doctor on the Home Office's form. Children and people aged 65 or over are exempt. There is no exemption for nationality, education or for people from English-speaking countries.

You take it once. A pass used for ILR counts for citizenship too; the pass has no expiry date. If you fail, you can rebook after seven days and there is no limit on attempts, but each one costs £50.

How hard is it?

The pass rate has been around 75 to 80% in recent years, so roughly one person in four or five fails at least once. People who read the handbook properly and do several full practice tests pass. People who rely on general knowledge or on practice questions alone, without the book, are the ones who fail, because the test uses the handbook's specific framing (its dates, its rounded figures, its choice of which inventors and battles to mention).

How to prepare

1. Read the handbook twice. Once straight through, then again making notes of every date, number and name. It is about 180 pages.
2. Do timed practice tests in the real format. Our free practice test gives you 24 original questions in 45 minutes with explanations. Aim for 22 or more consistently before you book.
3. Learn the chapter-3 dates as a list. 1066, 1215, 1348, 1588, 1605, 1642, 1688, 1707, 1801, 1832, 1918, 1928, 1948 and so on. A dozen questions in any test turn on them.
4. Book when you are ready, with the right ID. See booking the test.