Life in the UK Test | FAQs

The Life in the UK Test is a mandatory computer-based assessment required for most adults applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or British citizenship. It was introduced in 2005 and tests your knowledge of British history, culture, values, and government.

All questions come exclusively from the official handbook: Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition).

The test has 24 questions and you have 45 minutes to complete it. Questions appear one at a time on screen in three formats:

• Single answer — choose one from four options
• Two answers — select both correct answers (both must be right to score)
• True or False — decide if a statement is correct

You need at least 18 out of 24 questions correct — that is 75%. You can make up to 6 mistakes and still pass.

All questions come from the handbook's five chapters:

• British Values & Principles — democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance
• UK Nations & Geography — the four nations, Crown dependencies, overseas territories
• A Long & Illustrious History — monarchs, wars, empire, key dates
• A Modern, Thriving Society — culture, sport, arts, customs, everyday life
• The UK Government, Law & Your Role — Parliament, elections, courts, rights

Most adults aged 18–65 applying for ILR or British citizenship must take the test. You are exempt if you are under 18, aged 65 or over, have a long-term physical or mental condition (with medical evidence), or have already passed the test previously.

As of June 2026, the Home Office has not published a revised syllabus or updated question bank. The current 3rd Edition handbook remains the only official study material.

The government's 2025 White Paper proposed future reforms shifting focus towards British values assessment, but these have not yet been implemented. Always check GOV.UK before you book.

The test costs £50 per attempt, the same at all approved centres. You pay online at the time of booking. There are no discounts for resits — failing and rebooking means paying £50 again.

• Go to gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test and log in or create an account
• Choose one of 30+ test centres across the UK
• Select your preferred date and time (bookable up to 6 months ahead)
• Pay the £50 fee by credit or debit card

Accepted ID includes a valid passport, Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC), eVisa with a share code, or a valid national identity card for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.

• More than 72 hours before: Cancel or reschedule for free. Full £50 refund available.
• Within 72 hours: The fee is non-refundable.
• No-shows: Fee is forfeited entirely.

No. The official test must be taken in person at an approved test centre. There are 30+ centres across the UK. Online practice tests are for preparation only and are not the official exam.

Yes — in Welsh at centres in Wales, and Scottish Gaelic at centres in Scotland. You must request the language option at the time of booking. It cannot be changed on the day.

• Read the official handbook — every question comes from it
• Take timed mock tests — this replicates the real exam pressure
• Focus extra time on History and Government chapters
• Review wrong answers after each practice test and revisit those handbook sections

The only official study material is Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd Edition), published by TSO. If it is not in this book, it will not appear in the test. Available in print, eBook, audio, or free at many libraries.

Around 130,000 people take the test each year with an overall pass rate of roughly 70–80%, meaning 2–3 in 10 fail on their first attempt. With proper preparation and regular practice tests, most people pass first time.

Most candidates prepare for 2–6 weeks depending on their background knowledge and daily study time. You can book up to 6 months in advance — so book a date that gives you enough preparation time, not the earliest slot available.

• Arrive and present your original ID and booking confirmation
• Your photo is taken to confirm your identity
• All belongings (phone, bags, notes) go in a secure locker — you only take the locker key into the testing room
• Complete a short practice test on screen to get familiar with the interface
• The 45-minute test begins — answer all 24 questions
• Your result appears on screen immediately when you finish

Bring: Original ID used when booking, and your booking confirmation.

Not allowed in the testing room: Mobile phones, smartwatches, bags, books, or any study material. Lockers are provided — travel light.

Yes — adjustments include extra time (e.g. for dyslexia), computer assistance, and alternative formats. Request these when booking using the special arrangement form. Allow up to 4 working days for arrangements to be confirmed.

Your result is displayed on screen immediately at the end of the test. A confirmation email is also sent to the address used when booking.

You do not receive a physical certificate. Instead you receive a Unique Reference Number (URN) — the code the Home Office uses to verify your pass electronically. It looks like: HOM/010114/123456/123456789

Include this URN on your ILR or citizenship application form. Keep it safe.

No. Your pass from the ILR application remains valid for citizenship (naturalisation). Simply use your original URN on Form AN. The Home Office verifies this electronically — no retake required.

You are exempt if you are: under 18, aged 65 or over, have a long-term physical or mental condition (with documented medical evidence), or have already passed the test previously.

You will need either an official exemption form from the Home Office or a doctor's letter confirming your long-term condition. Exemptions are assessed case-by-case. Check the GOV.UK guidance or speak to an immigration adviser before assuming you qualify.

Yes — there is no limit on retakes. You must wait at least 7 days before rebooking and pay the full £50 fee again for each new attempt.

No limit. You can retake as many times as needed. However, failing twice costs £150 total in fees — solid preparation before your first attempt is the best investment.

The most common reasons:

• Reading the handbook only once and assuming that is enough
• Skipping timed practice tests — recognition is not the same as recall under pressure
• Underestimating the History and Government chapters
• Missing "select TWO answers" questions and choosing only one
• Confusing similar dates, monarchs, or Acts of Parliament