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 UK: 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 UK: A Guide for New Residents — published by the Home Office and sold through TSO/HMSO (no free PDF)
• 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 2026; UK fees rise most years — check gov.uk for current amounts.)

• Life in the UK Test: £50 per attempt
• ILR application: around £3,029 (raised in 2024; subject to change)
• Citizenship (Naturalisation) application: around £1,630 for adults, around £1,214 for minors (subject to change)
• 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
2. Booking must be made at least 3 days in advance
3. Bring valid ID (passport or BRP) and proof of UK address
4. Pay the £50 fee online when booking

Retake policy

• If you fail, you can retake the test after 7 days
• Each attempt costs £50
• No limit on the number of retakes

After passing

1. You receive your result on screen immediately and a Pass Notification Letter — no expiry date
2. Submit it with 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 UK: 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.
• A lost Pass Notification Letter is hard to replace — store it safely and keep a copy.
• 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 retake after 7 days. 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.