Life in the UK Test practice test
Free Life in the UK Test practice for United Kingdom: 130 questions with explanations, timed mock exams and progress tracking.
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Life in the UK Test mock tests
5 fixed mock tests of 24 questions each, timed like the real test (pass mark 18 of 24 correct). Every question in the bank appears in exactly one mock, so working through all of them covers the whole bank.
About the Life in the UK Test
Last reviewed: October 19, 2026 · Checked against the official source linked on this page.
The Life in the UK Test checks your knowledge of British traditions, values, history and government. You need to pass it to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) and for British citizenship, and one pass covers both applications: a Life in the UK pass does not expire.
The test has 24 multiple-choice questions. You have 45 minutes and need at least 18 correct answers (75%) to pass. It costs £50 per attempt, and you can retake it as many times as you need. Every question is based on the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition).
Who has to take it
Most people aged 18 to 64 applying for indefinite leave to remain or naturalisation as a British citizen must pass the test. You do not need to take it if you are under 18 or aged 65 or over, or if you have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you from taking it, which must be confirmed by a doctor. If you were exempt at the settlement stage on one of these grounds, the same exemption normally applies when you apply for citizenship.
Booking the test
You book online through the official GOV.UK booking service, at least three days before you want to sit the test, and choose from more than 30 test centres across the UK. You must take the same ID you used to book, and the details must match exactly. A mismatch is the most common reason people are turned away on the day and lose their fee. If you need to cancel or move your appointment, do it at least three days in advance to keep the £50. Extra time or other adjustments must be requested when you book, with evidence. Our guide on the Life in the UK Test: format, pass mark, cost and how to pass walks through booking step by step.
What the questions cover
The handbook has five chapters, and the test draws from all of them. The values and principles of the UK covers what the UK expects of new residents. What is the UK? covers the four nations and their capitals, flags and patron saints. A long and illustrious history is the largest chapter, running from the Stone Age to the present day; it produces the most questions and the most wrong answers. A modern, thriving society covers population, religion, customs, sport, arts and leisure. The UK government, the law and your role covers Parliament, elections, the courts, your rights and how to take part in your community. Our questions and answers page is grouped by these chapters.
What to expect on the day
The test is taken on a computer at the centre. Questions are multiple choice; some ask you to pick one correct answer, some ask you to pick two, and some are true or false. You can flag questions and come back to them. Most people finish well within the 45 minutes. You get your result on the day, and a pass gives you a unique reference number that you enter on your visa or citizenship application. If you fail, you can book again after seven days.
Is this the same as the English test?
No. Settlement and citizenship also require you to prove your knowledge of English, usually with a B1 speaking and listening qualification from an approved test centre, unless you are from a majority English-speaking country or hold a degree taught in English. The Life in the UK Test is taken in English (Welsh or Scottish Gaelic is available at some centres) but it is not a language test. Our guide to citizenship tests versus language tests explains the difference.
Possible changes
The government’s 2025 immigration white paper said the test would be refreshed, but as of October 2026 no new handbook, format or start date has been announced. Until that happens, the current 3rd edition handbook and the 24-question format apply. Check the GOV.UK page linked on this page before you book.
How to study
- Read the handbook once from start to finish, then use practice mode chapter by chapter, reading the explanation after every question.
- Spend most of your time on the history chapter. Dates, monarchs and the order of events are where most people lose marks.
- Learn the numbers the handbook gives (population figures, dates, ages, how many MPs) because they come up as exact-answer questions.
- Take a timed mock exam every few days until you pass three in a row with 20 or more correct, then work through your weak questions.
Our questions are written from the official handbook. They are not the exact questions used in the test, which are not published. Use them alongside the handbook, not instead of it.
| Official name | Life in the UK Test |
|---|---|
| Format | 24 multiple-choice questions on a computer at an approved test centre |
| Language | English (Welsh or Scottish Gaelic available in some centres) |
| Who takes it | Most people aged 18 to 64 applying for indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship. |
| Exemptions | You do not need to take the test if you are under 18, aged 65 or over, or have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you from taking it (with evidence). |
Official test topics
- The values and principles of the UKBritish values, the responsibilities and freedoms of people living in the UK, and becoming a citizen.10 questions
- What is the UK?The countries of the UK, their capitals and the Union Flag.14 questions
- A long and illustrious historyKey events from early Britain to the modern day.40 questions
- A modern, thriving societyGeography, religion, festivals, sport, the arts and leisure.34 questions
- The UK government, the law and your roleParliament, elections, the courts and your role in the community.32 questions
Sample questions
Answer: The rule of law. Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance and participation in community life are fundamental principles.
Answer: Orkney. Skara Brae is on Orkney, off the north coast of Scotland, and has helped archaeologists understand how people lived in the late Stone Age.
Answer: Hindus and Sikhs. Diwali normally falls in October or November and is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. It celebrates the victory of good over evil.
How to prepare
Get the current official handbook. Every question comes from it, including dates and names that are not common knowledge.
Focus on the history chapter. It is the longest and causes the most mistakes.
Learn the patron saints, their days and the national flowers of each UK country.
Book your test only when you score above 85% on several mock exams in a row.
Study guides for the Life in the UK Test
- How Many Questions Are on the Life in the UK Test? – 24 questions in 45 minutes, 18 correct to pass, £50 per attempt. What the questions look like, how…
- Is the Life in the UK Test Changing in 2026? What Has (and Has Not) Been Announced – No. As of October 2026 the Life in the UK Test is unchanged: 24 questions, 45 minutes, 18…
- Life in the UK Test: Format, Pass Mark, Cost and How to Pass – Life in the UK Test 2026: 24 questions in 45 minutes, 18 to pass (17 is a fail),…
- Citizenship Test Pass Marks Compared: US, UK, Canada, Australia and More – Pass marks, question counts, time limits and languages for 15 official citizenship tests side by side: Denmark, France…
- Which Countries Have a Citizenship Test? A Country-by-Country Overview – About 20 countries run a formal citizenship test: the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Greece…
- What Happens If You Fail a Citizenship Test? Retake Rules by Country – Failed your citizenship test? You can usually try again. Retake rules for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany…
Life in the UK Test FAQ
What is the pass mark for the Life in the UK Test?
You need 18 correct answers out of 24 (75%).
How much does the Life in the UK Test cost?
The test costs £50 each time you take it. You book and pay online through GOV.UK.
Do I need the Life in the UK Test for both ILR and citizenship?
Yes, both applications require it, but you only need to pass once. A pass for settlement can be used later for your citizenship application.
How long is the Life in the UK Test pass valid?
A pass does not expire. Keep your unique reference number, because you will need it for your applications.
Is 17 out of 24 a pass on the Life in the UK Test?
No. The pass mark is 18 out of 24 (75%). With 17 you fail by one question and must wait at least 7 days and pay the £50 fee again to retake.
Does the Life in the UK Test expire?
No. A pass never expires, and the same pass can be used for indefinite leave to remain and later for British citizenship. Keep your unique reference number.
How long does the Life in the UK Test take?
You have 45 minutes for 24 multiple-choice questions; most people finish in 15 to 25 minutes.
Where can I practice the Life in the UK Test for free?
On this page: 130 free practice questions written from the official handbook, a timed mock exam in the real format (24 questions, 45 minutes, 18 to pass), 5 numbered mock tests, flashcards and a weak-questions mode. No sign-up.
The official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, is sold rather than free. It is the only source the real questions come from, so read it as well.
What questions are asked on the Life in the UK Test?
The 24 questions come from the handbook's five chapters: the values and principles of the UK; what the UK is; a long and illustrious history; a modern, thriving society; and the UK government, the law and your role. History questions (dates, monarchs, battles, inventors) and government questions come up most often.
Question types include choosing one correct answer, true or false, picking two correct statements from four, and choosing which statement is correct.
What is the best website for Life in the UK Test preparation?
There is no official free practice test, and the real questions are never published, so no website has "the actual questions". The best approach is to read the official handbook, then use a free practice site that follows the real format and explains every answer.
This page does that without an account. Track your scores in timed mock tests, and book the real test once you score 21 or more out of 24 consistently. See also the Life in the UK Test guide.
How can I practice Life in the UK questions with answers?
Open the Life in the UK questions and answers page. It lists every question by handbook chapter with the answer and an explanation, and you can print it or save it as a PDF.
Then use practice mode, which shows the answer after each question, and finish with timed mock tests. Use the "Practise only" button to drill one chapter, such as history, at a time.
Can I take the Life in the UK Test in Welsh or Scottish Gaelic?
Yes. The test is in English, but if you take it in Wales or Scotland you can choose Welsh or Scottish Gaelic. You cannot take it in any other language, and the handbook is the same.