Life in the UK Test: How Many Questions Do You Need to Get Right?

Before you start preparing for the Life in the UK Test, it helps to understand exactly what you are aiming for. How many questions are there? How many do you need to get right? And what happens if you miss the mark?

Here is a clear answer to all of that.

The numbers

The test has 24 questions in total. You need to answer at least 18 of them correctly to pass. That is a pass mark of 75 percent.

Looked at differently, you can get up to 6 questions wrong and still pass. That gives you a small margin for error, but not a comfortable one. Missing 7 means you fail and have to retake it.

You have 45 minutes to complete the test, though most people finish well within that time if they have prepared properly.

What format are the questions?

All 24 questions are multiple choice. Most have four options, though some have two. You select your answer on a computer screen. There is no writing involved.

The questions are drawn randomly from the official question pool, which covers the five chapters of the official handbook. You will not know in advance which specific questions appear on your test, which is why it is important to study all the chapters rather than focusing on just one or two.

Where do the questions come from?

Everything on the test comes from the official handbook called "Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents." The third edition of that book is the only source. If something is not in that book, it will not be on the test.

There is no secret question bank. The topics are all known in advance. What the test does is check whether you have actually read and retained the material from the handbook.

What happens if you do not pass?

You can retake the test. There is no waiting period between attempts, but you do have to pay the test fee again each time. As of 2026 the fee is £50 per sitting.

Your result appears on screen immediately after you finish. You will know straight away whether you have passed or not. If you pass, you receive a pass notification letter which you need for your citizenship or settlement application.

Is 75 percent hard to achieve?

For most people who prepare properly, no. The challenge is not that the questions are particularly tricky. The challenge is the volume and specificity of the material. The history chapter in particular contains a lot of dates, names and events that feel easy to forget if you have only read through them once.

People who struggle with the pass mark are usually those who underestimated how much detail the test goes into. Reading the handbook once is a start but it is rarely enough on its own. You need to actively recall the material, which means practising with real test questions before the day.

How long does it take to prepare?

Two to four weeks of regular daily practice is enough for most people. If you can spend 30 to 45 minutes a day working through questions chapter by chapter and taking practice tests, you will be well prepared by the end of that period.

The most important thing is to test yourself as you go, not just read. Many people feel confident after reading the handbook but then discover in practice tests that the specific facts they need have not actually stuck.

Where to practise

PassCitizen has free practice questions for the Life in the UK Test, organised by chapter so you can study one section at a time. When you feel ready, take a full 24-question mock test under timed conditions to see where you stand. No signup required.

Start practising for free