Life in the UK Test: Format, Pass Mark, Cost and How to Pass

Short answer: The Life in the UK Test is a 45-minute computer test with 24 multiple-choice questions. You need 18 correct answers (75%) to pass. It costs £50, you book it online through GOV.UK, and every question is based on the official handbook Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents.

Life in the UK Test at a glance

Who needs to take the Life in the UK Test?

Most people aged 18 to 64 need to pass the test when they apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) or British citizenship. You only need to pass once: a pass for settlement can be used later for your citizenship application, and a pass does not expire.

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. You must provide evidence of the condition.

What is on the Life in the UK Test?

Questions come from five chapters of the official handbook:

• The values and principles of the UK: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance.
• What is the UK?: the four nations and how they fit together.
• A long and illustrious history: from early Britain to the present day. This is the largest chapter and the one most people find hardest.
• A modern, thriving society: religion, sport, arts, culture and leisure.
• The UK government, the law and your role: Parliament, elections, the courts and your responsibilities.

Questions take four forms: choose one answer from four, choose two answers from four, decide whether a statement is true or false, and choose which of two statements is correct.

How do I book the Life in the UK Test?

1. Book online on the official GOV.UK booking service. Use only the official site.
2. Book at least 3 days in advance and choose a test centre near you.
3. Use the same identity document to book that you will bring on the day. If the details do not match, you may not be allowed to sit the test, and you will not get your money back.

How to pass the Life in the UK Test on your first attempt

1. Read the handbook once from start to finish. Don’t try to memorise it on the first read. Just get a sense of what it covers.
2. Take a baseline practice test. Our Life in the UK practice test shows you which chapters need the most work.
3. Study chapter by chapter. Spend most of your time on the history chapter: dates, monarchs, battles and inventors come up often.
4. Review every mistake. Read the explanation, then retest yourself on the questions you missed.
5. Finish with timed mock exams. Book the real test when you are scoring 21 or more out of 24 consistently, not just scraping 18.

Tip: Questions about numbers and dates (how many members, what year, which century) are where most points are lost. Make a one-page list of them and review it every day in the final week.

What happens on test day?

Arrive early and bring the ID you booked with. You can usually do a short practice session on the computer before the real test starts. You get your result at the test centre before you leave. If you pass, you receive a unique reference number, which you will need for your settlement or citizenship application.

Is the Life in the UK Test the same as the English test?

No. The Life in the UK Test checks your knowledge of British life and history. You must separately prove your English, usually at B1 level or above, with an approved test or a qualifying degree. Read more in our guide to citizenship tests vs language tests.

Quick answers: length, fee, pass mark and validity

What is the Life in the UK Test pass rate?

The Home Office does not publish a regular pass-rate series. The figures that have been released show that roughly a quarter to a third of attempts fail: 70.9% of the 906,464 tests taken between 2005 and 2009 were passes, and 75.2% of the 748,613 tests taken between mid-2010 and late 2014 (figures released through BBC reporting and Freedom of Information requests). Pass rates varied widely by nationality, which mostly reflects reading level in English. Candidates who practise with full-length timed mock tests and review every wrong answer usually pass first time.

Is 17 out of 24 a pass on the Life in the UK Test?

No. The pass mark is fixed at 18 correct answers out of 24 (75%). With 17 you fail by one question and must wait at least 7 days, rebook and pay the £50 fee again. Because the margin is so small, aim to score 21 or more consistently in our Life in the UK mock tests before you book.

How long is the Life in the UK Test valid for?

There is no expiry date. If you passed years ago and are now applying for indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship, you can use the same pass; you only need your unique reference number (which the Home Office can look up from your details if you lost the letter). You do not need to retake the test between settlement and citizenship.

Ready to check yourself? Start with the free Life in the UK practice test, then work through all Life in the UK questions and answers and the question-count breakdown in how many questions are on the Life in the UK Test.

Official sources

• GOV.UK: Life in the UK Test

Ready to start? Take a free Life in the UK practice quiz or browse all Life in the UK questions and answers.