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Unofficial · Based on Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition)
Last updated: 2026-10-01

Overview

The Life in the UK Test is a multiple-choice exam required for both Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship (Naturalisation) applications. It assesses basic knowledge of British history, political institutions, culture, and everyday life, and is based on the official handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, published by the Home Office.

Eligibility

(As of 2026; UK immigration law changes frequently — always check gov.uk for current rules at the time you apply.)

Standard citizenship route:

  • ILR plus 1 year of further residence (commonly 5+1 = 6 years total lawful residence on a work route)
  • If married to a British citizen: apply immediately after ILR (around 3 years total)
  • Age 18 or over (separate registration process for minors)
  • Meet the "good character" requirement — no serious criminal record or immigration breaches
  • Intend to continue living in the UK

Language requirement (separate from the Life in the UK Test):

  • B1 English (CEFR), passed via a Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT)
  • Approved tests include IELTS Life Skills B1, Trinity ISE I, and others
  • Exemptions: degree taught in English, age 65 or over, certain medical conditions
  • See gov.uk/english-language for current exemptions

Test format

  • 24 multiple-choice questions, 45 minutes
  • 18 or more correct = pass (75%)
  • Computer-based, taken at one of about 30 official test centres in the UK
  • The test is in English (some centres may offer Welsh or Scottish Gaelic — confirm with the centre before booking)
  • Available only inside the UK — applicants living abroad cannot sit it

Question source:

  • Official handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents — published by the Home Office and sold through TSO/HMSO (no free PDF)
  • The 3rd edition (2013) is still the only official edition. In 2026 the government announced ("Protecting What Matters") that it will refresh the test content — no date has been set yet.
  • No public question bank exists — every practice question, including those in this app, is an unofficial reconstruction based on handbook content
  • The handbook itself is the recommended primary study resource

Fees

(As of October 2026; UK fees rise most years — check gov.uk for current amounts.)

  • Life in the UK Test: £50 per attempt
  • ILR application: £3,226 (gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-family)
  • Citizenship (Naturalisation), adult: £1,839 in total — £1,709 application fee + £130 citizenship ceremony fee
  • Registering a child as a British citizen: £1,000
  • Test fees and application fees are separate — passing the test does not include the ILR or citizenship application fee.

How to register

  1. Book online at gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test and pay the £50 fee when booking
  2. Book at least 3 days before the test date
  3. Book with an accepted ID: eVisa holders book with a share code; a BRP is accepted only until 24 months after its expiry date or 31 December 2026, whichever comes first
  4. On the day, bring the same original ID you used to book — your photo is taken at the test centre. Proof of address is not required.

Retake policy

  • If you fail, you can book another test — there is no waiting period (just book at least 3 days ahead)
  • Each attempt costs £50
  • No limit on the number of retakes

After passing

  1. You get your result at the test centre; if you pass you receive a unique reference number — no expiry date (paper Pass Notification Letters were only issued for tests taken before 17 December 2019)
  2. Enter the reference number in your citizenship application (Form AN) or ILR application, along with English proof, residence evidence, and supporting identity and financial documents
  3. Home Office processes the application (typically several months up to 6 months; can take longer)
  4. If citizenship is approved, you receive an invitation to a Citizenship Ceremony — attendance is mandatory
  5. At the ceremony, you make the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalisation

Official resources

  • Test info and booking: gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test
  • Citizenship application: gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain
  • Official handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents — purchase via TSO/HMSO (no free PDF)
  • English language test info: gov.uk/english-language

Things to watch out for

  • The test draws from chapters 1 to 5 of the handbook — do not skip any chapters.
  • The UK is made up of four nations (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), and questions about their differences (parliaments, legal systems, national days) come up often.
  • Keep your unique reference number safe — you will need it for your ILR or citizenship application.
  • The test must be taken in person inside the UK; you cannot sit it from outside the country.

FAQ

Are the questions in this app official? No. There is no public official question bank. The questions here are unofficial reconstructions based on the official handbook, covering the same topics and difficulty level as the real test.

What happens if I fail? You can book another test straight away — there is no waiting period, but each booking must be made at least 3 days ahead. Each attempt costs £50. There is no limit on retakes.

Can I take the test outside the UK? No. The Life in the UK Test is only offered at official test centres inside the UK.

Can I take the test in a language other than English? The test is normally in English only. Welsh and Scottish Gaelic options may be offered at some centres — confirm with your chosen centre before booking.