What is the Life in the UK test? Format, cost and pass mark

The Life in the UK test is a computer-based test about British traditions, customs, history, government and everyday life. Many people need to pass it as part of an application for British citizenship (naturalisation) or settlement in the UK, also called indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

The test is run on behalf of the Home Office. You book it and pay for it through the official GOV.UK service, and you take it at a test centre in the UK.

The test at a glance

Questions	24
Time	45 minutes
Pass mark	75% – at least 18 correct answers
Fee	£50
Booking	Online, at least 3 days in advance
Test centres	Over 30 across the UK
Study material	The official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents

All of these figures come from the Life in the UK Test page on GOV.UK. Fees and rules can change, so check GOV.UK before you book.

Who needs to take it

You may need the Life in the UK test if you are applying for:

• British citizenship, for example after getting indefinite leave to remain
• Settlement (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK

GOV.UK tells you to check the guidance and application form for your type of application to find out whether you need the test. You only need to pass it once – if you passed it for settlement, you do not need to take it again for citizenship. Read who does not need to take the test for the exemptions.

What the questions cover

You are only tested on information from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. It has five chapters:

1. The values and principles of the UK
2. What is the UK?
3. A long and illustrious history
4. A modern, thriving society
5. The UK government, the law and your role

Questions can come from any part of the handbook, from Roman Britain and the Tudors to how Parliament works, the courts, sport, the arts and festivals. See our guide to the handbook chapters for what each chapter covers and how to study it.

What the questions look like

Most questions ask you to choose one correct answer from four. Some ask you to choose two correct answers, and some are true-or-false statements. For example:

Which court normally deals with cases of children aged 10 to 17 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The answer is the Youth Court. You can try free Life in the UK practice questions to see the style for yourself.

What happens after the test

You get your result at the test centre. If you pass, you receive a unique reference number, which you need for your citizenship or settlement application – the Home Office uses it to check that you have passed. If you fail, you can book again as many times as you need, but you pay the fee each time. Our guide to the pass mark and results explains more.

How to prepare

The test is normally taken in English (it can also be taken in Welsh in Wales or Scottish Gaelic in Scotland) and tests detail – dates, names, numbers and places. Most people find it helps to:

• read the handbook chapter by chapter rather than all at once
• answer practice questions after each chapter
• take full mock tests of 24 questions in 45 minutes before the real test
• go back over the questions you got wrong until you know them

Read how to pass the Life in the UK test for a study plan. If English is not your first language, you can study in your own language and switch to English as the test gets closer.