The complete Life in the UK test guide

The Life in the UK test is a computer-based exam of 24 multiple-choice questions, and you have 45 minutes to complete it. Every question is drawn from the official Home Office handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), covering British values, history, society, and government.

Most people finish well inside the time limit. The questions come in a few formats — choose one correct answer, select two answers, decide whether a statement is true or false, or pick the correct statement from a list.

The pass mark is 75% — that means at least 18 correct answers out of 24. You find out whether you passed as soon as you finish, and you receive a pass notification letter with a unique reference number you'll need for your citizenship or settlement application.

Because the margin is only six wrong answers, consistent practice on the trickier topics — dates, historical figures, and constitutional facts — makes the difference between passing and failing.

The Life in the UK test costs £50 per attempt. There is no discount for retakes — you pay the full £50 again each time you sit it, so passing first time is the cheapest route. On top of the test fee, factor in travel to your nearest centre and any time off work.

You book the Life in the UK test online and must book at least three days in advance, choosing from registered test centres across the UK. Bring valid photo ID and proof of address that matches your booking exactly — if they don't match, you can be turned away and lose your fee.

You normally need to take the test if you're aged 18 to 64. People under 18 or aged 65 and over are exempt, and you may also be exempt if you have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you from sitting it, supported by a doctor's letter. This is part of the wider Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK (KoLL) requirement.

If you don't pass, you can retake the test as many times as you need — there's no limit on attempts. You must wait at least seven days before booking again, and you pay the £50 fee each time. Use the gap to focus your study on the topics you found hardest.

The most reliable way to pass is to combine the official handbook with realistic practice: read each chapter, then drill questions until you're consistently scoring above the pass mark on full 24-question mock tests. Practising under timed conditions removes the surprises on test day.

BritPass gives you 1,400+ practice questions and unlimited mock tests set at the real 75% pass mark, free and with no signup to start.

The test is held at registered centres in towns and cities across the UK. You'll choose your centre when you book, so pick one that's easy to reach on the day and double-check the address before you travel.

You take and pass the Life in the UK test before you apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or British citizenship — not during or after. One pass usually counts for both stages, so keep your reference number safe.